Run the ball. Throw the ball. Kick the ball. Form a human field goal post. Owatonna players are ready to do what needs to be done to win the state Class 5A football championship at US Bank Stadium.

The defending champion Huskies will square off with St. Thomas Academy at 4 pm Saturday with radio coverage on Kat Kountry 105 FM and the Kat Kountry app. Owatonna (12-0) is seeking its third title since 2013 and are in their eighth appearance at state. STA (12-0) won their only title in 1975, but are at state for the 23rd time.

During player interviews after practice Wednesday at the dome in Dundas, junior quarterback Sol Havelka discussed the game plan against Elk River, which relied entirely on the running game. Jason Williamson raced for 199 yards and five touchdowns, but Havelka carried eight times for 71 yards and a touchdown.

Junior linebacker Isaac Gefre commented that the reason for the defensive success this season is players reading their keys and being disciplined. That held true in the win over the Elks and will have to continue against the Cadets on Saturday. Gefre only punted once in the semifinal game and it was a fantastic 53-yard effort.

The Huskies kickers, senior David Keller and junior Sam Henson, are ready to do their part as well.

Wednesday wrapped up a stretch of practices inside the Dundas dome. The team had Thursday off to celebrate Thanksgiving with their families. Friday's plan is to practice at Kasson. Owatonna has used the dome at Shattuck St. Mary's in Faribault in the past. But a late winter storm earlier this year damaged the dome and it isn't available.

There are no field goal posts inside the dome, but kickers were able to go through their workouts with the assistance of some of their teammates.

STILL A LITTLE ROOM ON THE BUS

As of Thursday afternoon, a few seats were still available on a fan bus to Saturday's game. Contact Reid Stransky for more details at 507-444-0071.

OHS coach Jeff Williams answers the question, "How does Jason Williamson get all those yards?"

football practice
Roy Koenig/Townsquare Media
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