Football players, coaches, and managers recognized at fair rally

Even with a new name, the Wenger Stage at Fair Square at the Steele County Free Fair continued the tradition of having the Owatonna football/cheerleader rally close out the fair Sunday night.

Owatonna football coach Jeff Williams came out and introduced each of the players of the 2024 Owatonna Huskies team after the cheerleaders were introduced by varsity cheerleading coach Jenna Compton.

The football and cheerleader rally has been going on for over 20 years and started when Todd Hale approached Jeff Williams and the football coaching staff if they were interested in doing a little pep rally at the fair.

“I don’t know who is going to want to show up and watch that, but I would be happy to come out and introduce the kids and get the season off to a right start,” Williams said about doing the rally for the first time years ago.

Williams said that the rally every year is a great way to get to know the players, especially since you’ll be able to see their faces since they wear a helmet at the games.

Last year was the first at Federated Field, the new home field for the Huskies at Owatonna’s new high school. Williams noted that the stadium was filled with fans cheering the Huskies on throughout the season.

“I thought last year was phenomenal. There were so many people in the bleachers for all of our games,” Williams said at the rally. “We’d love to see that kind of support again this year.”

Williams then introduced the players by position groups, including the linemen, tight ends, running backs, quarterbacks, and wide receivers.

When it comes to the running back and quarterback position, the Huskies will likely rely on multiple people and not just have one set starter.

Seniors Michael Heitkamp and Hunter Theis will both spend time under center, as they have both been fighting for the starting spot in camp. Williams is excited for Heitkamp, since he is a “courageous runner,” and is excited for Theis, as well, since he “slings a great ball.”

“I’m just really excited to see these guys in the scrimmage where there’s a little bit more fire and a little bit more decision making with guys coming through the line of scrimmage,” Williams said about the two quarterbacks.

The last group of players Williams introduced and talked about were the captains for the season: Nolan Ginskey, Blake Davison, and Jack Meneguzzo. The three players are leaders on the team and great players, as Ginskey set the all-time single season record for receptions and receiving yards last season, Davison was the team’s leading tackler, and Meneguzzo is a third-year starter at center.

Williams also introduced the team managers and coaches.

“We’ve been really lucky the last several years in having a great manager core, and this year is no different,” said Williams.

As for the coaches, Williams said that they are the “secret sauce” in Owatonna since they are the reason for the success of Owatonna football year after year.

”We’ve had so much continuity, so many smart people, so many hard-working guys that just give up their time, their effort, and their energy to work with the kids,” Williams said.

The Huskies have a scrimmage at Prior Lake this Saturday before starting their season Thursday, Aug. 29 against Hastings on the road. Their first home game will be on Friday, Sep. 6 against Chanhassen.