Huskies Drop Season Opener to Defending State Champs: Mankato West 28, Owatonna 6

Mankato West scored three times in the first quarter, while the Huskies punted on nine straight possessions in Saturday's opening day of the prep football season.

West started the game with a strong wind at their back and turned that into a big early lead on their way to a 28-6 victory over Owatonna on the opening day of the high school football season. Aug. 22 was already much earlier than the season usually starts. Then many games were moved up to an afternoon start due to a stormy forecast, which proved to be the correct decision.

The Huskies had trouble generating offense and were forced to punt into the stiff breeze and the Scarlet started each of their scoring drives in OHS territory.

Mankato West drove inside the Huskies' five-yard line twice in the second quarter but fumbled each time. Sam Hylle and Brandon Moen made the fumble recoveries. The Huskies' touchdown came midway through the fourth quarter on a one-yard quarterback keeper by Alex Emanuelson. The drive included a fourth down conversion on a pass to Jake Borchert.

Mankato West recorded seven sacks and held the Huskies to about 115 total yards. West gained nearly 200 yards in the first half, but Owatonna held them to under 60 in the second.

The game was a non-division game in the Big Southeast District. The Huskies go to Rochester JM on Friday, Aug. 28. Mankato West plays crosstown rival Cougars in week two.

KRFO Radio welcomes the Kottke Jeweler's Player of the Game to the air for each Owatonna High School sports broadcast this season. In Saturday's football opener, reserve defensive lineman Goy Tut was named the winner.

Elsewhere in the Big Southeast, Red Wing scored with five seconds left to upset Northfield 20-15. The Wingers' game-winning drive covered 97 yards. Rochester Mayo built a 30-7 halftime lead at Faribault on their way to a 50-21 victory. Rochester JM trailed Austin 7-6 at the half, but pulled away for a 32-7 win. Winona upended Rochester Century in double overtime 20-14. Mankato East crushed New Prague 33-14.

Big Southeast District
Red Division
Rochester JM (0-0 in the division) 1-0 overall
Rochester Mayo (0-0) 1-0
Owatonna (0-0) 0-1
Northfield (0-0) 0-1
Rochester Century (0-0) 0-1
New Prague (0-0) 0-1

Blue Division
Mankato West (0-0 in the division) 1-0 overall
Winona (0-0) 1-0
Red Wing (0-0) 1-0
Mankato East (0-0) 1-0
Austin (0-0) 0-1
Faribault (0-0) 0-1

Local football scores from Saturday, Aug. 22:
Blooming Prairie 8, Rushford-Peterson 6
NRHEG 14, Mayer Lutheran 7
Lewiston Altura 61, Medford 7
Triton 20, Kasson-Mantorville 6
Waseca 34, Albert Lea 0