OHS Football advanced to the state quarterfinals after beating the John Marshall Rockets on Nov. 1. This win led the Huskies to be section champions for the second year in a row. The Huskies played Cretin-Derham Hall on Saturday Nov. 8 at Eastview High School to advance to the semifinals.
The Huskies went into the quarterfinal game with a 10-0 record. Cretin-Derham Hall went into it with a 6-4 record. The game had high stakes because the winning team would advance to the semifinals at U.S. Bank Stadium. The game was competitive and tight.
Senior Blake Fitcher said, “I feel that the entire team underestimated Cretin-Derham Hall and that’s why the game was so close and competitive.” Cretin-Derham Hall scored first with a 13-yard touchdown pass. Then in the second quarter senior quarterback Hunter Theis threw a touchdown pass to senior tight end Zachary Haarstad. This got the Huskies on the board. Later on in the second quarter there was another touchdown pass for the Huskies and a two point conversion made by Fitcher. At the end of the fourth quarter, the score was 14-14.
The quarterfinal game went to overtime. The fans and players could feel the tension during the whole game, especially while they were losing 20-21 following an overtime touchdown from the Huskies. The Huskies decided to risk it all with a two-point conversion. Senior Nolan Ginskey scored on the two-point conversion, leading to a win against Cretin-Derham Hall. The Huskies still kept their undefeated record, now 11-0.
The Huskies may have an even tougher game this next week against Alexandria. Fitcher said, “We will be fine if everyone does their jobs and hopefully we can come out with a win.” Alexandria is seeded third in the north and first in the state. The Huskies know what they are truly playing for and will play to the best of their abilities.
The OHS Football team plays next on Saturday Nov. 16 at the U.S. Bank Stadium at 7 p.m. against Alexandria in the state semifinals.
