Northfield scored the game-winning touchdown with 18 seconds left Friday to defeat Class 5A, No. 1 Owatonna 21-17.

Senior quarterback Lars Prestemon threw the late 10-yard touchdown pass to Alex Rasmussen as the Class 5A, No. 5 Raiders (7-0) defeated the Huskies, who lost in the state semifinals a year ago.

"Lars Prestemon showed the senior leadership of a senior quarterback," Northfield coach Bubba Sullivan said. "... The kids had nice protection and ran the routes well, and Lars was on the money."

Prestemon was 6-for-9 passing on the final drive, which covered 75 yards in 35 seconds. It included a 39-yard pass to Rasmussen that set up the game-winning play.

"We just never gave up," Rasmussen said. "[Prestemon] is a great leader. He gave us a little pep talk before we went out there, and we just got it done."

The victory gave Northfield at least a share of the Big Southeast Red subdistrict title and put it in line for the top seed in the Section 1 playoffs.

Noah Budach and Jason Williamson caught touchdown passes from Abe Havelka for Owatonna (6-1), which led 10-0 at halftime.

NATE GOTLIEB