The Minnesota High School Football Showcase is an all star football game that only the top players and coaches in the state get invited to. Two Owatonna Huskies got invited to be a part of team South, player Grant Achterkirch and coach Douglas Wanous.

Achterkirch is a senior captain on the Owatonna varsity football team. He is a three time varsity letter winner and a two time All Conference award winner. He played fullback and linebacker this season and plans on continuing his career by playing college football. In the days leading up to the game there were many opportunities for Achterkirch to meet his teammates and learn from all of the talent around him. Achterkirch said, “It was a great experience. I learned a lot of new football knowledge from my coaches and teammates.” Achterkirch started the game as an inside linebacker and also played special teams. Achterkirch said, “It was a fast paced game with many skilled players. I played hard and helped keep it a defensive battle.” Achterkirch’s grittiness and high football IQ helped the South defense to stay one step ahead of the North offense.

Wanous has been coaching at Owatonna for 29 seasons as the offensive line coach. He won the 2014 Butch Nash Assistant Coach award and the 2020 MFCA Assistant Coach of the Year award. Wanous coached the offensive line during the practices leading up to the game and focused on run blocking. Wanous said, “It was such an honor to be selected to represent Owatonna and work with such an outstanding group of athletes.” In a low scoring affair, the running game of the South dominated on offense and the defense held the North team to only one score. The South defeated the North with a final score of 12-7.