By Joey Hudson
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
| Northfield | 7 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 21 |
| Owatonna | 7 | 13 | 0 | 6 | 26 |
The Northfield Raiders football team 1-0 (2-1) took on the visiting Owatonna Huskies 1-0 (2-1) for their homecoming game on Friday September 22nd.
The Raiders kicked off to start the game before quickly getting the Huskies to punt, but Owatonna had trouble getting the punt off as the Raiders took over on the botched play. The Raiders took over from the Owatonna 20 yard line and quickly drove down on a 5 play drive ending on an option pitch to Kam Kaiser from the four yard line.
With 2:42 left in the first quarter Owatonna QB Jacob Ginskey stepped up and made a perfect throw on the run to receiver Caleb Hullopeter for a 49 yard touchdown. On the Raiders next possession nearing the end of the first quarter Owatonna picked off the Raiders in the end zone, setting them up for a nice drive and a 23 yard touchdown pass to Hullopeter.
On the next Northfield possession Kam Kaiser immediately snapped off a 39 yard run, however the raiders were not able to convert on 4th and 1 from Owatonna’s 7 yard line. On the Huskies next drive from Owatonna’s 8 yard line Ginskey found Hullopeter for a gain of 37. Following that on 2nd and 16 from the 50 yard line Jacob Ginksey found Nolan Gisnkey to put them up 20-7, but they missed the extra point.
To start the second half after Northfield turned the ball over on downs, however soon after Kam Kaiser picked off Owatonna, setting the Raiders up at the Owatonna 14.
On 2nd and 8 from the 12 yard line Kaiser snapped off a great run to make it a 20-14 game.
On Owatonna’s next drive Jacob Ginskey fumbled trying to fake a hand off, which was recovered by the Raiders. From the Owatonna 45 yard line Seth Thompson took about 5 steps back and launched a dime to Kam Kaiser for a touchdown, giving the Raiders a 21-20 lead after the PAT from Stephan Kallestad.
On the kickoff after the touchdown, Kallestad put down a perfect onside kick attempt recovered by Northfield. The Raiders were however unable to capitalize off the onside kick turning the ball over on downs. After Owatonna put together a long drive, at the beginning of the 4th quarter Owatonna missed a 22 yard field goal.
On 4th and 4 Owatonna opted to go for the fourth down with 6:39 left in the game but were unable to convert. Northfield was forced to punt however on 4th and 13 from their own 45.
Then on Owatonna’s next possession on 3rd and 8 from the Northfield 32 yard line Jacob Ginskey threw a great pass to put Owatonna up 26-21 after failing to convert the two point conversion.
Northfield tried to drive down and come back, but weren’t able to as they turned it over on downs, and Owatonna was able to run out the clock and win.
With the loss the Raiders move to 1-1 in conference play and 2-2 overall. The Raiders will host Chaska in their next game Friday the 29th.