A NEW HUSKIES ERA

The Owatonna Huskies played for nearly a century at the former Owatonna Stadium, but Friday night, head coach Jeff Williams’ squad started a new era of Huskies’ football 1-0 with a 42-7 beatdown over the visiting Hastings Raiders.

Williams notched his 200^th win and added a new achievement to his historic resumé, all in front of a full-capacity crowd at the Huskies’ brand-new Federated Field.

“It’s very gratifying because I really like these kids as human beings,” said Williams. “You want them to be able to go out and have success. Nothing’s guaranteed next week or the week after, but to see them come out and have this kind of a performance in the opener – in front of the whole community it looked like – it’s really just a gratifying thing.”

Owatonna started the game by kicking off to Hastings and eventually stopping the Raiders after the opposition’s first play from scrimmage took them deep into Huskies’ territory.

However, Owatonna made the stop and scored its first touchdown on a 40-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Jacob Ginskey to Owen Beyer down the home sideline to take a 7-0 lead with 7:55 remaining in the first quarter.

After another defensive stand, Owatonna matriculated down the field once more, this time scoring via the run with running back Brennan Sletten crossing the goal line at the 11:57 mark of the second quarter.

Offenses were held at a standstill until Hastings was the beneficiary of a backward punt that gave the Raiders possession on the Huskies’ six-yard line.

Despite the field position, it took Hastings four downs to score, as the Raiders were nearly stuffed on a rushing attempt up the middle from two yards out.

With 2:13 remaining in the half, Owatonna made up for its mistakes with a quick drive that saw Ginskey connect with senior receiver Caleb Hullopeter for a touchdown on a fourth-and-five passing play to the corner.

Hullopeter’s touchdown improved the Huskies’ lead to 21-7 at the half.

Hastings began the third quarter by threatening the Huskies inside the red zone, but a strong fourth down stand earned Owatonna the ball back without conceding any points.

The Huskies proceeded to march down the field and scored at the 7:26 mark on another connection between Ginskey and Hullopeter, this time on an end zone fade from the three-yard line.

Hastings’ ensuing possession all but ended the Raiders’ hopes when the Huskies blocked a fourth down punt deep in enemy territory and scored two plays later on a three-yard rush by senior fullback Mitch Seykora.

Now leading 35-7, Owatonna added style points on its next possession when Ginskey slipped away from a Raiders’ rusher and managed to get a pass off just before two defenders took him out.

Ginskey’s pass was completed to running back Rielly Kleeberger, who took the opportunity to the house down the home sideline for a 30-yard score.

Kleeberger’s score was Owatonna’s last of the game, giving the Huskies the 42-7 win.

“It feels awesome being back. Everybody did their jobs today. The O-line gave me time to get the ball out, wide receivers got open and we were just crisp on every offensive play,” said Owatonna’s Ginskey.

He finished the first game of his senior campaign by completing 14-26 passes for 250 yards and four touchdowns.

Owatonna’s next games will come on the road against Chanhassen on Friday at 7 p.m.

Player Stats

Passing

#2 Jacob Ginskey – 14-26 250 yards 4 TD; #16 Noah Truelson – 1-2 13 yards

Rushing

#33 Brennan Sletten – 10 att. 36 yards 1 TD; #24 Rielly Kleeberger – 5 att. 29 yards; #9 Jamie Lisowski – 2 att. 19 yards; #20 Mitch Seykora – 4 att. 15 yards 1 TD; #2 Ginskey – 4 att. 13 yards; #32 Montrel Powell – 2 att. 10 yards; #28 Mitchell Clark – 3 att. 6 yards

Receiving

#3 Nolan Ginskey – 5 rec. 92 yards; #1 Owen Beyer – 3 rec. 76 yards 1 TD; #8 Caleb Hullopeter – 4 rec. 50 yards 2 TD; #24 Kleeberger – 1 rec. 30 yards 1 TD; #28 Clark – 1 rec. 13 yards; #33 Sletten – 1 rec. 2 yards