Graham’s earns MVP honors
Owatonna football’s all-district Team selections. Back row left to right: Honorable mentions Cooper Aul, Landen Sturges, Eli Black, Ryan McIntosh. and Nolan Rolloff. Front row left to right: First-team selections Max Flemke, Logan Risser, Carter Flatland, Tristan Graham and Sam Dulas. Staff photo by Roy Koenig
After the 10th-best single-season rushing total in school history, Tristan Graham was named Most Valuable Player at the Owatonna High School football banquet Sunday night at the Eagles Club. Graham had 1,316 yards and 13 touchdowns. He ends his career sixth on the all-time list with 2,472 yards.
Commenting about the senior running back after the season, coach Jeff Williams stated, “Tristan was the workhorse of our offense this year. Teams knew what was coming, and he still found a way to average over five yards a carry. A large number of (his) rushing yards came from running behind Sam (Dulas)” who was named the team’s Lineman of the Year.
Defensive Player of the Year is senior linebacker Carter Flatland, who “was a huge addition to our team and immediately set a tone for work ethic and determination within our program,” said Williams.
Senior Amilio Garza earned the Champion of the Year Award for his work on the scout team.
Special Teams Player of the Year is senior Landen Sturges who shattered the school punting record with an average of 43.4 yards. “His punts were often game changers as they flipped field position.”
Huskies named All-District include Graham, Dulas, Flatland, senior linebacker Logan Risser, and senior defensive lineman Max Flemke. Williams said, “Logan was the leader of our defense… (Flemke) continually demanded double teams and freed up his teammates to run around and make plays.”
Honorable mention went to Sturges, senior defensive lineman Ryan McIntosh, senior offensive lineman Eli Black, senior defensive back Cooper Aul and junior defensive back Nolan Rolloff.
Williams said, “Ryan grew into a disruptive force in our defensive line… (Black was) an exceptional run blocker and also very good is pass protection…(Aul) became the person entrusted with covering the opponent’s best receiver and made some big plays in crucial situations… Nolan was the quarterback of the secondary and always made sure we were aligned properly.”
Owatonna (5-5) earned the Gold Academic team award. Captains for 2026 are Dulas, Rolloff, Ben Sackett and Aedan Tackmann.