Top games: Northfield aims to spoil Owatonna's squeaky clean record (again)

By Taylor Lunemann, SportsEngine, 10/08/18, 11:45AM CDT

Oct. 12: The Raiders can grab control of the Big Southeast Red subdistrict with a win, while the Huskies hope to avenge their lone loss from last year.

Northfield handed Owatonna its only loss last season and will look to play spoiler in another Big Southeast Red subdistrict matchup this Friday. Photo by Nick Gerhardt, SportsEngine

We task our reporters with identifying several intriguing games throughout the state to assemble our Top Games of the Week. The matchups are presented in no particular order, and when there are additional games we want to highlight, we’ll include them with brief notes.

Other games to keep an eye on

Barnesville vs. Hawley, 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 12. This tilt will help break a tie in the Midwest White subdistrict when No. 3-2A Barnesville (6-0, 4-0) meets No. 7-2A Hawley (5-1, 4-0). Adding to the stakes, the Nuggets will be looking to avenge a 29-22 loss to the Trojans in last season's Class 2A, Section 8 title game.

Spring Grove vs. Grand Meadow, 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 12. After Grand Meadow eliminated Spring Grove five years in a row from 2012-16 in the 9-Man, Section 1 playoffs, the Lions finally got revenge with a win last year en route to a state title. No. 1 Spring Grove (6-0, 5-0) can lock up the South East league title while clinching the top seed with a win over the Superlarks (5-1, 4-1) on Friday.

Maple River vs. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 12. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown (5-1, 5-0) took control of the South Central Blue subdistrict last week and will have an opportunity to clinch at least a share of it this Friday against No. 5-2A Maple River (5-1, 4-1). The contest also has postseason implications with both teams residing in Class 2A, Section 2.