Huskies down Packers in semifinals
Published 11:48 pm Saturday, October 29, 2016
- Austin’s Sam Hagan carries in the quarter against Owatonna in their Section 1AAAAA matchup Saturday night in Owatonna. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
OWATONNA — The Packers came into the Section 1AAAAA semifinals riding a high and a four-game winning streak, but by the time the final whistle blew they were looking at their season in the rear view mirror.
No. 1 seeded Owatonna ended No. 5 Austin’s run by a score of 58-0 in Owatonna Saturday.
Austin’s Jany Gash, right, and Logan Braaten combine to bring down Owatonna’s Zach Mensink during the first quarter Saturday night in their Section 1AAAAA semifinal match up in Owatonna. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Huskies (7-2 overall) opened the game with a 55-yard TD pass from Abe Havelka to Noah Budach on the first play from scrimmage and Owatonna extended its lead to 44-0 by halftime.
“Things didn’t end the way we wanted them to, but you’ve got to give Owatonna credit,” Austin head coach Brett Vesel said. “They played really physical tonight, a lot more physical than they played in the first game. They were just the better team tonight.”
The Packers (4-6 overall) couldn’t get their offense going on a night where there were heavy rains and the Huskies were bringing a lot of pressure. Austin had just 114 yards of offense and it committed three turnovers.
Austin’s Tate Hebrink finds a hole on a run in the first quarter against Owatonna in a Section 1AAAAA semifinal match-up Saturday night in Owatonna. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“We made a lot of mental mistakes today and we couldn’t throw the ball because we couldn’t grip the ball,” Vesel said. “Then they’re just stacking everybody in the box and it limits you.”
SCORING SUMMARY
Owatonna 23 21 7 7 — 58
Austin 0 0 0 0 — 0
First quarter
(O) Noah Budach 55 pass from Abe Havelka (1 plays, 55 yards) (Aiden Buryska kick) 11:45
(O) Jason Williamson 6 run (Buryska kick) (6 plays, 25 yards) (Buryska kick) 7:55
(O) safety 4:55
(O) Williamson 1 run (Buryska kick) 1:40
Second quarter
Austin Tyler Tupy finds some room after a reception in the fourth quarter against Owatonna in the Section 1AAAAA semifinals Saturday in Owatonna. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
(O) Griffin Thorn 3 run (Bursyka kick) 6:09
(O) Thorn 5 run (Bursyka kick) 2:48
(O) Dalton Kubista 22 pass from Havelka (Buryska kick) 1:49
Third quarter
(O) Zach Mensink 7 run (Buryska kick) 8:53
Fourth quarter
(O) Jay Schuster 7 run (Buryska kick) 6:59
AUSTIN STATS
Rushing: Sam Hagan, 11-for-28; Tate Hebrink, 9-for-27; Tabarie Gunsallus, 13-for-17; Jackob Crouch, 1-for-4; Nate Murphy, 2-for-(-11); Jany Gash, 1-for-(-18)
Passing: Hebrink, 5-for-24, 67
Receiving: Tyler Tupy, 1-for-28; Gavin Owens, 1-for-20; Trent Brown, 2-for-18; Nate Murphy, 1-for-1
Defense: Luke Hawkshead (1 sack); Jackson Hample (1 sack); Jesse Synoground (1 fumble recovery)
Penalties: 2-for-20
Austin’s Kyle Oberbroeckling, left, and the Packers D waits for call from the sideslines in the fourth quarter of their Section 1AAAAA semifinal game Saturday in Owatonna. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
