Last Year's 5A Runner-Up Will Be Stiffest Test of Season for Knights Football

St. Michael-Albertville has played the role of the underdog in its past couple of appearances in the Metrodome. 

The Knights, who dropped tight games to Detroit Lakes and Mankato West in its most memorable trips to the big baggy, are in that familiar role once again. 

Owatonna is considered by most the odds-on favorite to win the Class 5A championship this season. Its defense is stout. Its offense has humiliated two teams en route to its date in the state semifinals. 

And the Huskies have that enviable chip on their shoulder. 

Owatonna dropped last year's Class 5A title game, 49-21, after pulling off the upset of the 2012 season when it knocked off St. Thomas Academy in the semis. 

St. Michael-Albertville, however, has an offense the Huskies haven't seen before. With an above average running game (the Huskies have allowed just 50 yards per game on the ground all year) the Knights are happy to turn to a passing attack that features all-state performer Dallas Freeman and quarterback Jackson Greenwaldt. 

"We've been on the same page since we were little kids," Freeman said of the connection between quarterback and receiver. "He knows where I'm going to break and he puts it out there. I just hope I can make the play." 

To call Freeman the Knights' game-changer is an understatement. His big catches and interceptions on defense - including an 85-yard beauty against Sartell last week - have changed the flow of more than one game this season, including a win over Chisago, the only Knights opponent that might most resemble Owatonna. 

"We feel like if we play our game for four quarters, we can play with anyone right now," said senior tailback Chris Kartes, who has more than 100 yards and a score in each of the last three STMA playoff games. "So we need to stick to that." 

The matchup, at a glance: 

How they got here

St. Michael Albertville

Regular season: 7-1

Section semifinal: defeated Buffalo 42-14

Section 6-5A Championship: defeated Rogers 21-7

State 5A quarterfinal: defeated Sartell/St. Stephen 52-28

Leading passer - Jackson Greenwaldt 830 yds, 8TDs, 2INT

Leading rusher - Chris Kartes 795 yds, 9TDs

Leading Receiver - Dallas Freeman 487 yds, 6TDs

Defensive leaders - Joe Killian 4.5 sacks

Owatonna

Regular season: 8-0

Section semifinal: defeated Austin 49-20

Section 1-5A Championship: defeated Mayo 42-0

State 5A quarterfinal: defeated Apple Valley 32-0

Leading passer - Ian Langenberg 167 yds per game, 20 TDs, 3INTs 

Leading rusher - Aaron Peterson, 1125 yds, 15 TDs

Leading Receiver - Ty Sullivan, 521 yds, 8TDs

Defensive leaders - Andrew Stelter, five sacks