Southern Minnesota’s finest big-school teams square off in what, in any other sport, would likely determine the Big 9 Conference championship. In football, these teams are grouped in the Big Southeast Red subdistrict. District/subdistrict/conference name aside, this figures to be a thriller, even though No. 2-5A Owatonna’s 20-game winning streak in the regular season was snapped last Friday in a 7-6 loss to Monticello.
Owatonna, Class 5A state champion in 2017 and 2018, suffered special teams woes in its loss to the Magic last week. The Huskies (3-1, 3-0) had an extra-point attempt blocked in the first quarter and failed on a 30-yard field goal try with two seconds left after the snap was botched.
Huskies quarterback Brayden Truelson has thrown for 603 yards and running back Tanner Hall has run for 408 yards and four TDs.
The closest game this season so far for four-time state champion Mankato West (1999, 2002, 2008, 2014) was a 20-0 triumph over intracity rival Mankato East on Oct. 16. The No. 5-5A Scarlets (4-0, 3-0) are led by quarterback Zander Dittbenner (10 TD passes through Week 3) and game-breaking wideout Mekhi Collins (5 TDs, 84 receiving yards per game through Week 3).