Owatonna faces Big Southeast Red Subdistrict foe Rochester Mayo in the defending state champion Huskies’ toughest test to date.
Amazingly, No. 1-5A Owatonna seemingly hasn’t missed a beat despite graduating running back phenom Jason Williamson, who, among other accomplishments, rushed for a single-game record 477 yards last season in the Class 5A, Section 1 title game against Northfield. Through three games, Owatonna’s (3-0, 3-0) top rusher Tanner Hall has just more than half that single-game total (276 yards on 35 carries).
Can the Spartans play the spoiler? Rochester Mayo (3-0, 2-0) last beat Owatonna on Oct. 3, 2014, but quarterback Cade Sheehan provides a ray of hope. He has thrown for 583 yards and eight touchdowns, zeroing in most often on Cayden Holcomb, who has 15 catches for 235 yards and two TDs.