Things to Know for Owatonna Football Playoff Game at Mayo

Owatonna football seeks its sixth straight section championship this weekend. They play at Rochester Mayo Saturday, November 6 at 7pm with coverage on AM 1390 KRFO / 94.7 FM, the free app or on the website. The Huskies beat the Spartans in a playoff game last year 30-28 but lost at Mayo 58-31 to open the 2021 season.

Here are some things fans should know about the game, including how many times the regular season winner (in this case Mayo) lost in the playoff rematch.

WHY SATURDAY?

Most section football finals are on Friday, November 5, including all the other Class 5A games. Why does Owatonna play at Mayo Saturday? It's because the field at Mayo High School is already reserved on a standing basis for the Section 1-4A title game.

HOW TO GET YOUR TICKETS AHEAD OF TIME

The best way to get your tickets to the game (and game at this point) is through electronic means. Click here for the Rochester link to Hometown Ticketing.

WHAT HAPPENED IN THE FIRST GAME?

Mayo jumped out to a 17-0 lead after the first quarter and led 38-10 at the half. The Spartans won 58-31 ending Owatonna's eight-game winning streak against Mayo. The Spartans returned two interceptions for touchdowns and had five scoring plays of 45 yards or more. Mayo scored three TD's in less than a two-minute span of the second quarter.

The Huskies drew within 45-31 with five minutes to go in the fourth quarter on Taylor Bogen's four touchdown toss.

WHAT'S CHANGED FOR OWATONNA SINCE OPENING DAY?

Owatonna's leading tackler Grant Achterkirch missed the first matchup with a hand injury. He has been on the field since week three against Mankato West when he played exclusively on defense. His role on offense has picked up significantly since then.

The Huskies have a new starting quarterback. Bogen was injured in the home opener against Rochester Century. By week four, sophomore Jacob Ginske was calling signals. Saturday will be his seventh start.

Owatonna's defense has been very stingy in recent weeks. In four of their last five wins, OHS has given up a touchdown or less.

WHO ARE THE TEAMS' STATISTICAL LEADERS?

For Owatonna

• Passing: Jacob Ginskey, 51-for-97 for 723 yards, 10 TDs, 8 INT's
• Receiving: Nick Williams, 34 catches for 593 yards and six touchdowns
• Rushing: Dylan Maas, 701 yards on 181 carries with six touchdowns

For Mayo

• Passing: Bennett Ellsworth, 115-for-181 for 1,982 yards, 21 TDs, 5 INT's
• Receiving: Cayden Holcomb, 62 catches for 957 yards and 11 touchdowns
• Rushing: Noah Smith, 1,023 yards on 136 carries with 20 touchdowns

Statistics are from the Football Hub at Star Tribune.

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE OWATONNA AND MAYO MET IN THE PLAYOFFS?

OHS and Mayo have met 11 times in the playoffs. Owatonna holds a 6-5 advantage in those games. Three times the team that won during the regular season lost in the playoff meeting (1980, 1989 and 2010).

• 1980: Mayo 14-6 (Indians won regular season game.)
• 1989: Mayo 10-7 (Indians won during regular season.)
• 1996: Mayo 20-6
• 1999: OHS 21-13
• 2009: OHS 35-14
• 2010: Mayo 14-7 (Huskies won regular season game.)
• 2012: OHS 49-28
• 2013: OHS 42-0
• 2014: Mayo 53-7
• 2018: OHS 63-28
• 2020: OHS 30-28

HOW MANY TIMES HAS EACH TEAM GONE TO STATE?

The Owatonna Huskies/Indians have won the section ten times.

OWATONNA HIGH SCHOOL:

• 1982, state runner-up
• 1998, state runner-up
• 1999
• 2012, state runner-up
• 2013, STATE CHAMPION
• 2016
• 2017, STATE CHAMPION
• 2018, STATE CHAMPION
• 2019
• 2020 (no state tournament)

MAYO HIGH SCHOOL

• 1980
• 1995, state runner-up
• 2007

WHEN DOES THE WINNER PLAY AGAIN?

The winner of Owatonna/Mayo will advance to the state tournament quarterfinals on Saturday, November 13 at Woodbury High School at 12 pm against the Section 4-5A champ Mahtomedi or Tartan who play on Friday night.

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