Owatonna football coach Jeff Williams said on Saturday's KRFO coach show that the Huskies defense stepped up against top-ranked Elk River in Friday's semifinal game.

Williams believed that holding the high-scoring Elks to 19 points should have been enough to give Owatonna the chance to win. However the Elks' defense was also up to the challenge and prevailed 19-7 over Owatonna at U.S. Bank Stadium in the Class 5A semifinals Friday.

The Elks advance to play Spring Lake Park in the championship game Saturday, November 26, at 4PM. The Panthers beat Mankato West 14-0 Saturday night.

On Friday, Elk River drove the length of the field on their first drive for a 7-0 lead and had one other long drive that resulted in the go-ahead score before halftime. They added another touchdown after forcing an Owatonna turnover for a 19-7 lead at the break, which was also the final score.

The Huskies' defense held Elk River to 269 total yards, roughly half their season average. The Elks were averaging nearly 48 points per game as well. At the same time, Elk River limited Owatonna to 189 total yards, half of their season average. OHS was 8-for-24 through the air for 99 yards and three interceptions. It was the seventh time in their 12 games that Elk River held an opponent to a touchdown or less.

Owatonna ends the season at 9-3.

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