Huskies finish seventh perfect season in program history

Owatonna football disposed of Apple Valley 35-7 at home last week to finish the regular season 8-0.

Even with a long, storied history of winning, a perfect regular season is something that doesn’t come around often.

“I was doing a little research and I think this is the seventh time in program history we’ve had an 8-0 season. So, they’re rare. To be able to run the table with a really tough scheduled including Chanhassen, Mankato West and John Marshall, it feels really good. It gives us some positive momentum going into the playoffs,” said Owatonna Head Coach Jeff Williams.

Owatonna kicked off the scoring with a touchdown pass to wide receiver Seth Johnson just under five minutes into the game.

Johnson slipped through the Eagles’ secondary and found himself open in the endzone where he reigned in a nice pass from senior quarterback Hunter Theis with one hand for a spectacular touchdown.

The Huskies were able to move the ball effectively throughout the opening frame, but a redzone fumble cost them another scoring opportunity to keep the game within striking distance at 7-0 through one-quarter of play.

However, the second quarter proved much more friendly for the Huskies.

Owatonna was able to drive down the field and punch in a four-yard rushing touchdown by senior Tristan Graham to extend the lead to 14-0 with just under nine minutes remaining in the half.

Apple Valley had no answers for the Huskies’ defense and after a few more punts, Owatonna was able to secure another touchdown on a three-yard slant route connection from Theis to wide receiver Luke Webber.

The score put Owatonna up 21-0 with 4:22 left in the half, but Apple Valley was unable to answer, keeping the score at the same mark heading into intermission.

The third quarter was largely uneventful with neither side managing to score any points, but action resumed quickly in the fourth.

Apple Valley managed to put together its first threatening drive of the game to kick off the quarter, but a highlight-reel one-handed interception by Nolan Ginskey down the visitors’ sideline quickly stopped the Eagles in their tracks.

The pick helped set up a 15-yard rushing touchdown for Graham, who quietly had himself a night with 103 rushing yards on 22 carries.

Matters only got worse for Apple Valley on its ensuing drive when an errant pass found its way back into Ginskey’s hands, but this time, the senior made the Eagles pay by taking the ball to the endzone for a pick-six.

Ginskey’s score marked Owatonna's last points of the game.

The Huskies’ defense looked primed for another shutout win, but with just 26 seconds left in the game, Apple Valley connected on a deep post route that went for a touchdown to spoil the clean sheet.

Despite the points, Owatonna’s Williams was thrilled with the team’s defense and defensive coordinator Marc Achterkirch.

“I did a little quick dive on Minnesota scores and we’re top three in points against in Class AAAAA. To be giving up 7.5 or 7.7 points a game… Our defense has been unbelievable. Blake Fitcher and Blake Davison, they just mop up things. Our secondary isn’t having to make a lot of tackles, which is great. They’re able to just cover and not having to worry about coming off of receivers. Our linebackers do a great job of cleaning everything up, which means that your defensive line has to be occupying blockers. Those guys aren’t climbing to linebackers so our guys are getting clean runs,” said Williams.

Owatonna earned the No. 1 seed two weeks prior with its win over Rochester John Marshall and has secured a first-round bye in the Section 1AAAAA playoffs.

The Huskies will suit up next to face the winner of No. 4 New Prague and No. 5 Rochester Century.

Owatonna will host the winner at Federated Field on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m.

Player Stats

Passing

#7 Hunter Theis – 10-17 99 yards 2 TD

Rushing

#20 Tristan Graham – 22 att. 103 yards 2 TD; #10 Blake Fitcher – 1 att. 0 yards; #7 Theis – 9 att. -12 yards

Receiving

#2 Seth Johnson – 5 rec. 63 yards 1 TD; #3 Nolan Ginskey – 2 rec. 27 yards; #11 Luke Webber – 2 rec. 10 yards 1 TD; #81 Zach Haarstad – 1 rec. -1 yards