Back to the Bank

The Owatonna Huskies beat Cretin-Derham Hall (CDH) 22-21 in overtime to advance to the semifinal round of the Class AAAAA state playoffs today.

After ending regulation a 14-14 gridlock and trailing 14-21 after CDH’s opening possession of the overtime period, Owatonna kept its perfect season alive thanks to a touchdown by Blake Fitcher and a gutsy two-point rush by Nolan Ginskey.

“Are we running a play-action pass or are we running the football,” said Huskies’ Head Coach Jeff Williams when asked about taking a timeout prior to the two-point conversion. “They had that safety out of the box, so we ran the ball. Fitcher had the opportunity to keep it or shove it to Ginskey. I couldn’t see it from my angle, but the outside linebacker must’ve closed down on Fitch, and it gave GInskey the edge.”

Prior to the late-game dramatics, Owatonna found itself in an unfamiliar position trailing 7-0 early to the Raiders.

A fumble on a punt return by Luke Webber set CDH up at the Owatonna 35-yard line, which the Raiders used to score a few plays later on a fourth-and-four passing play.

The Raiders’ heavy formation resulted in a tight end getting loose from 13 yards out, finding his way into the endzone for the first score of the game with 4:40 remaining in the first quarter.

Owatonna’s initial score came a few drives later when Webber intercepted a slant route to set the Huskies up at the CDH 36.

After a first down and a few small gains, Owatonna quarterback Hunter Theis hit tight end Zach Haarstad on a screen pass that scored from 19 yards out.

However, Owatonna was unable to convert the extra point and tie the game, keeping the score at 7-6 with 8:12 left in the half.

Owatonna’s defense made its presence felt on the next possession and forced CDH into a quick three-and-out scenario, giving the Huskies’ the ball back with stellar field position at the Raiders’ 32.

Williams’ Huskies marched right down the field and scored on a one-yard plunge by running back Tristan Graham, and followed up with a two-point dive from Fitcher to lead 14-6 late in the second quarter.

Neither side was able to score again before the half, sending Owatonna into the locker rooms with a one-possession lead.

Despite a slow offensive start for both teams, CDH was able to score first when a 56-yard pass connected down the visitors’ sideline for a touchdown.

The Raiders converted the extra point, tying the game at 14-14 with 8:09 left in the third.

The remainder of regulation came down to monitoring field position as neither side could gain any momentum.

Owatonna won the coin toss heading into the overtime period and elected to play defense first, setting CDH up at the Huskies’ 10-yard line for the initial offensive possession.

CDH was able to score in just three plays and tacked on the extra point to put the pressure on Owatonna.

However, with the game on the line, Williams turnd in his best performance, demonstrating a masterclass in coaching by giving the Raiders – nor any other opponent this season – a look they’ve never seen before.

Instead of the usual backfield tandem of Theis and Graham, Williams trotted out Fitcher at wildcat quarterback and lined Ginskey up next to him as his running back.

The duo got the ball down to the one-yard line, where a fourth-and-one scenario took place with the season on the line.

Williams did not waver as he kept his two senior stars on the field and put the game in their hands.

“He’s now a fullback, but Fitcher used to play quarterback for us. He’s able to make those decisions. He’s ran the read option for years as a quarterback in our system,” said Williams.

With the Huskies’ hopes in his hands, Fitcher called his own number and went one-yard up the middle for the touchdown.

Without a second thought, Owatonna chose to keep its offense on the field.

Each team is afforded one timeout per overtime possession, and Owatonna elected to use its lone time-stopper prior to the two-point try to attempt to gain some information.

Williams got what he needed and sent Fitcher and Ginskey out for another crack at the goal line.

This time, Fitcher handed the ball of to Ginskey and the senior standout raced for the edge where he found just enough room to break the plane of the endzone and send Owatonna on to the state semifinals.

“We saved that formation all year for moments like that. For the coaching staff to trust Fitcher and I running that play, and for Fitcher to trust me to finish it was amazing. Shoutout to him for making a play, and for my offensive line battling all night,” said Ginskey.

With the win, Owatonna will now take on No. 3-North seed Alexandria Area on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m.