Not usually the headliner . . . Huskies’ defense keys Owatonna’s semi-final victory
Although Jason Williamson and the Owatonna running game have dominated the headlines this season for the defending champions, the Huskies' defense stole the show during their 39-8 semi-final victory over Elk River.
It was the second time the two teams have met in the state tournament in the last two years. Last season Owatonna dominated the Elks in the Prep Bowl – winning 63-26. The 2018 version started much the same.
A failed onside kick by Elk River set Owatonna up in Elks' territory. The Huskies gave the ball to Williamson three times in a row. The third run went for a 26-yard touchdown run on the first drive of the game. The sweep to the outside gives the Huskies a 6-0 lead.
The Owatonna defense would flex its muscle their first time on the field. Elk River faced a 4th and 5, and the Huskies' Zach Stransky made a tackle for loss giving the ball back to the offense at the 30.
On a third and two near mid-field, Williamson ran off tackle. He showed speed down the sidelines for a 44-yard touchdown and a 12-0 lead.
Both defenses stepped up on the next two possessions forcing two straight punts. The exchange of punts favored Owatonna as they punted the Elks inside their own twenty.
The Huskies got the offense going again right before the half. Quarterback Solomon Havelka started running the option giving the Elks' defense something else to worry about besides Williamson. The varied attack helped the Huskies into the red zone. Havelka would finish off the drive keeping on the option again for a touchdown. The score built a 19-0 for the Huskies lead right before the half.
Elk River converted two critical fourth and shorts in their own end. The gambles would pay off with a play action pass from Tyler Leshovsky to Carter Otto for a 45-yard touchdown catch and run. The two-point conversion cut the Huskies' lead to 19-8 with 5:44 left in the third quarter.
The second onside kick of the game was recovered by Owatonna to set their offense up near midfield.
The Elks' defense looked to keep the momentum and nearly had a three and out. On third and long, however, Havelka ran the option and pulled it down for a 36-yard run and a first down in the red zone. Williamson would bounce an off-tackle run to the outside for a ten-yard touchdown and a 26-8 lead late in the third quarter.
The defense came up big for the defending champs again with a fumble recovery deep in the Elks' territory. One play into the fourth quarter Williamson was in the end zone again, putting the game away with a 32-8 lead.
Williamson would add one more touchdown run to bump the lead to 39-8.
Williamson is obviously one of the best players in the state. He would end the game with 204 yards rushing and five touchdowns. He got a lot of help from an offensive line that controlled the line of scrimmage. Carter DeBus, Ethan Rohman, Zach Wiese, Isaiah Noeldner, and Joe Edel opened holes all afternoon for Williamson and Havelka.
The victory sent the Huskies to their second straight Prep Bowl appearance.
