Huskies down Panthers

 
Rochester - In the final game of the regular season, the Owatonna High School football team knew it would be a battle as Rochester Century’s defense allowed just three rushing yards in last week’s loss to Northfield. 
Somebody forgot to tell sophomore running back Jason Williamson and the Owatonna offense. 
Guided by a balanced attack, the Huskies offense slashed the Panther’s defense for 220 yards on the ground to lift Owatonna to a 35-20 win in Big Southeast-Red Division action Wednesday. 
The win secured the Huskies’ second consecutive division championship and fifth of the last six. Head coach Jeff Williams said that Owatonna’s defense came up with some critical stops that really allowed the momentum to be shifted back in the Huskies favor.  
“We had a couple of big stops. That first series, they drove the ball on us, which not too many teams have been able to do. Teams have gotten big plays on us but they haven’t just methodically driven the ball down the field. Century did. We got a big stop that got them going backwards,” he said. 
After Owatonna’s opening drive marched 66 yards that ended with a 25-yard Williamson touchdown, the Panthers offense started to chip their way down the field on the ensuing drive. A 12-play drive ultimately stalled after two consecutive penalties on fourth down created a 4-and-14 situation. 
Choosing to go for it, Panthers quarterback was sacked by Owatonna’s Zach Mensink to turn the ball over on downs. Owatonna defense recorded three sacks on the night. 
From the opening kick, the Huskies’ offense was able to generate momentum and drive the field. After Owatonna’s first 9-play scoring drive, the ensuing offensive possession featured a 12-play, 77-yard drive that ended with a 16-yard Abe Havelka touchdown run. 
A quick three and out by the Panthers’ defense found the Huskies knocking on the door again.  This time, the junior quarterback connected on a 27-yard strike to Noah Budach to extend the lead to 21-0. Williams said that after starting off a little rocky, that he really found a rhythm. 
“He did a great job of hitting Budach in stride, just a strike right into the one (Budach’s jersey number),” he added. 
Fielding the punt after a quick three and out was forced by the defense, Raichle hit a nice spin move to keep himself in bounds, cut against the grain and raced 42-yards into the endzone, putting the Huskies up 28-0. 
Owatonna had a chance to add a score late in the half, but was stopped on a fourth and one attempt with seconds remaining. 
Williams noted that they have to find a way to put teams away. 
“I told the kids I was disappointed we didn’t punch that one in just before the half because it probably could have put that in the rear view mirror,” he said. 
On their second possession of the second half, the Panthers found the end zone on a 19-yard run from running back Steven Nah. 
After another Panthers’ scoring drive was ended by a red zone fumble, Havelka tossed his second touchdown pass of the night, hitting Raichle on a 71-yard catch-and-run to extend the lead to 35-7. 
Havelka finished the contest with 203 yards on 13 completions and two scores. 
With the game in hand, the Huskies turned to their workhorse in Williamson. In just three and a half quarters of work, the sophomore carried the ball 29 times for 171 yards. 
With a vast majority of their starters still in the game, the Panthers managed to add two scores late in the contest. 
Heading into the bye week, Williams noted the down time would be good for the kids to heal. 
“We just need to get healthy. Our kids have been in some dogfights the last couple weeks,” he said. 
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
O- Jason Williamson 25-yard run (Josh Nelson kick) 9:02
Second qaurter
O- Abe Havelka 16-yard run (Nelson kick) 11:00
O- Noah Budach 27-yard pass from Havelka (Nelson kick) 9:02
O- Alex Raichle 42-yard punt return (Nelson kick) 6:28
Third quarter
C- Steven Nah 19-yard run (kick good) 6:42
Fourth quarter
O-Raichle 71-yard pass from Havelka (Nelson kick) 
C- Miguel Benjamin 65-yard run (kick good) 4:53
C-Steven Nah 9-yard run (kick good)
Team Stats
Passing: O 203, RC 109
Rushing: O 220, RC 243
Total: 223, 352
Turnovers: O 0, RC 1
Huskies individual stats
Passing: Havelka- 13 for 18, 203 yards, 2 TD’s
Rushing: Williamson- 29 carries, 171, TD; Havelka- 3 carries, 24 yards, TD; Mensink- 6 carries, 17 yards; Budach- carry, -3 yards, Gauthier- carry, -4 yards; Thorn- carry, 15 yards. 
Receiving: Budach- 3 receptions, 32 yards, TD; Dalton Kubista- 5 receptions, 65 yards; Raichle- 3 receptions, 90 yards, TD (65-yard punt return TD); Williamson-reception, 16 yards. 
 
*Editor’s note: Stats are unofficial at time of press. 

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