No. 5 Austin at No. 1 Owatonna
7 p.m. Saturday, Huskies Stadium
Records: Austin is 5-4 overall, while Owatonna is 8-0.
Last week:No. 5-seeded Austin blasted No. 4 Faribault 42-7 at Bruce Smith Field. Owatonna, as the top seed in the section, had a bye.
Last meeting:The Huskies ran all over Austin, though the Packers made it interesting late in a 49-26 Owatonna victory on Sept. 27. In that game, RB Aaron Peterson ran for 300 yards and five touchdowns, dominating the Packers throughout.
ADVERTISEMENT
Owatonna notes:The Huskies are the undefeated, top-ranked team in the state. They rolled through the regular-season schedule, only truly tested by previously unbeaten Mankato West. ... The Huskies are a potent offensive team. They've scored 35 points or more in six of their eight games. ... RB Aaron Peterson has more than 1,000 yards rushing this season. He's now the No. 3 rusher in Owatonna history. Peterson is averaging a whopping 7.3 yards per carry this season. ... QB Ian Langeberg is a fantastic passer, too. He has thrown for 20 touchdowns this season and completes more than 66 percent of his passes. Langeberg can break the school record with two more TD passes.
Austin notes: Austin is the hottest team in the section not named Owatonna. The Packers have won four consecutive games and five of their past six, with the lone loss coming against the Huskies. They also scored more points (26) than any other team all season against Owatonna. ... The Packers defense has allowed single-digit points in back-to-back games, while the offense has now scored 37 or more points in three consecutive games and 26 or more points in six straight games. ... QB Ryan Synoground has played his best football at the end of the season. He was efficient against both Mankato East and Faribault, throwing for nearly 400 yards and five touchdowns. ... Bret Lukes and Zach Wessels continue to roll up 100-yard receiving games. Lukes had 129 and two touchdowns last week. Nate Conner is the top rusher; he had more than 115 yards and two touchdowns on just 13 carries against Faribault.
Next:The section finals are a week from tonight.
Twitter: @PB_Phersy.
— Ben Pherson
