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Huskies roll past Scarlets 28-14 on homecoming

Owatonna Huskies, football, 2024, Scarlets
The trio of Blake Davison (26) Darian Stransky (21) and Blake Fitcher (10) work together to tackle a Scarlets’ ball carrier. The Owatonna defense came up big once again with three interceptions, two of which led to Owatonna touchdowns on offense. Staff photo by Rick Bussler
By
Johnnie Phillips, Sports Editor

Owatonna football defended Federated Field with a 28-14 win over Mankato West in last weekend’s homecoming game to improve to 6-0 on the season.

The Huskies’ dream start has earned the squad a No. 3 overall ranking in the state Class AAAAA rankings.

“It’s probably been 2019 since we last beat these guys. Before that it was really back and forth our two teams. It was very gratifying to see our kids go out there and play the way they did against what we still feel is a very good West football team,” said Owatonna Head Coach Jeff Williams.

The Huskies stumbled early with a turnover on their opening drive, but forced a turnover of their own on the ensuing drive that stopped Mankato West from gaining any momentum.

Owatonna used the pick well to score the first points of the game on an 11-yard rush by running back Tristan Graham, giving the Huskies a 7-0 halfway through the first.

Mankato West tried to answer the score but an errant pass found its way into the Huskies’ hands again for a second interception in the first quarter.

Once again, Owatonna used the turnover and field position to punish the Scarlets with senior quarterback Hunter Theis finding wide receiver Nolan Ginskey on a 23-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 14-0 in the first.

The Huskies’ two touchdowns were the only scores of the half as both defenses made necessary adjustments to their game plan.

Owatonna had a chance to score again before halftime after an interception by defensive lineman Zach Dahnert set the Huskies up with advantageous field position, but with little time remaining, Owatonna could not convert for points.

The third quarter was another 12 minutes of scoreless action with neither side gaining an edge, but fireworks were waiting in the fourth.

Owatonna’s Graham continued his big season by scoring his second touchdown of the day on a 10-yard dash to the endzone to put Owatonna up 21-0 with just over 11 minutes to play.

Mankato West’s chances of coming back were already slipping, but they were all but dashed after the Scarlets fumbled on the ensuing kickoff.

Taking advantage of the Scarlets’ mistake was Logan Risser, who jumped on the fumble and set Owatonna up at the Scarlets’ 10-yard line.

Theis wasted no time finding Zach Haarstad on the first play from 11 yards to give the senior tight end his first career touchdown.

Owatonna tacked on the extra point and led 28-0 with 10:22 remaining.

Mankato West put together two scoring drives to close out the game, but the Huskies were able to burn enough clock to keep the Scarlets from ever threatening their lead.

The win improved Owatonna to 6-0 overall and keeps the team ranked amongst the state’s best Class AAAAA teams as one of just three sides to remain undefeated through six weeks.

The only two teams currently ahead of the Huskies in the rankings are No. 1 Alexandria Area and No. 2 Moorhead.

The Huskies’ take on the Rochester John Marshall (RJM) Rockets next in a crucial matchup between the Northstar – South-Maroon division’s top two teams.

RJM enters the game 5-1 overall with its lone loss coming 35-28 against Class AAAAA No. 7-ranked Mankato East.

The game will be played in Rochester on Friday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.

 

Team

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Final

Mankato West

0

0

0

14

14

Owatonna

14

0

0

14

28

 

Player Stats

 

Passing

#7 Hunter Theis – 9-21 87 yards 2 TD 1 int.; #6 Michael Heitkamp – 1-1 58 yards

 

Rushing

#20 Tristan Graham – 26 att. 90 yards 2 TD; #7 Theis – 2 att. 12 yards; #9 Jamie Lisowski – 2 att. 6 yards

 

Receiving

#3 Nolan Ginskey – 8 rec. 126 yards 1 TD; #81 Zach Haarstad – 1 rec. 11 yards 1 TD; #2 Seth Johnson – 1 rec. 8 yards

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