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Scheduled scrimmages and opening competition dates for area fall sports teams

Fall Sports Kickoff: Scrimmages and Opening Dates for Southern Minnesota Teams

As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, the excitement of fall sports season is palpable across southern Minnesota. High school athletes from Owatonna, Blooming Prairie, Medford, New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva (NRHEG), and other area schools are gearing up for what promises to be a thrilling slate of competitions. With scrimmages serving as crucial tune-ups and opening games marking the official start of the action, teams are honing their skills and strategies. This overview details the scheduled scrimmages and debut competitions for various fall sports, highlighting the key matchups and venues that will set the tone for the year ahead.

Starting with football, a cornerstone of fall athletics in the region, several teams have packed schedules to prepare for the gridiron battles. The Owatonna Huskies, known for their strong defensive play and community support, are set to participate in a multi-team scrimmage on August 26 at the Owatonna High School field. This event will feature teams from nearby districts, allowing coaches to evaluate lineups and make adjustments before the real games begin. Their official season opener follows shortly after on September 1, when they host Rochester Mayo in a highly anticipated clash under the Friday night lights. This matchup is particularly noteworthy as it pits the Huskies against a perennial rival, with both squads boasting talented rosters eager to make an early statement.

Not far away, the Blooming Prairie Awesome Blossoms are also ramping up. Their scrimmage is slated for August 25 at their home field, involving a round-robin format with teams like Hayfield and Kenyon-Wanamingo. This preparatory event is vital for the Blossoms, who are looking to build on last year's playoff run. The team's opening game is on September 2, traveling to face off against United South Central in a contest that could influence early conference standings. Coaches emphasize the importance of these initial outings in fostering team chemistry and resilience.

Medford Tigers football enthusiasts can mark their calendars for a scrimmage on August 24 at Medford High School, where they'll scrimmage against Waterville-Elysian-Morristown and other local squads. This session is designed to test offensive schemes and defensive alignments in a low-stakes environment. The Tigers' first regular-season game is scheduled for August 31, hosting Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, a game that promises physical play and strategic depth as both teams vie for supremacy in their division.

Meanwhile, the NRHEG Panthers have their scrimmage lined up for August 26 at New Richland, engaging with teams from the Gopher Conference. This will be a key opportunity for the Panthers to integrate new players into their system. Their opener on September 1 sees them on the road against Maple River, a matchup that could set the pace for their conference aspirations.

Shifting to volleyball, where agility and teamwork take center stage, the schedules are equally robust. The Owatonna Huskies volleyball team will hold a scrimmage on August 22 at their gymnasium, inviting teams from the Big Nine Conference for a day of competitive drills and matches. This event is essential for fine-tuning serves, blocks, and spikes. Their season officially begins on August 24 with a home tournament featuring multiple opponents, including Northfield and Mankato East, providing an early test of endurance and skill.

Blooming Prairie volleyball players are set for a scrimmage on August 23 at home, facing off against squads like Grand Meadow and LeRoy-Ostrander. The focus here is on building defensive prowess and offensive rhythm. The Blossoms' opening competition is a triangular meet on August 25, hosting Mabel-Canton and Southland, which should offer a mix of challenges and opportunities for standout performances.

For the Medford Tigers volleyball team, a scrimmage is planned for August 21 at Medford High, with participants including Randolph and Bethlehem Academy. This preparatory gathering allows for experimentation with lineups. Their first official games come in a tournament on August 26 in Faribault, where they'll compete against a field of regional teams, aiming to establish momentum right out of the gate.

NRHEG Panthers volleyball has a scrimmage scheduled for August 24 at their home court, scrimmaging against United South Central and others. Coaches are using this to assess player rotations. The team's opener is on August 29, traveling to take on Waseca in what could be a tightly contested affair.

Cross country, with its emphasis on endurance and individual achievement within a team context, features meets that highlight the scenic trails of southern Minnesota. The Owatonna Huskies cross country teams (boys and girls) will participate in a scrimmage-style invitational on August 28 at Brooktree Golf Course in Owatonna, involving runners from Rochester and Austin areas. This event serves as a benchmark for pacing and conditioning. Their first official meet is the Faribault Invitational on September 1, where athletes will navigate challenging courses against strong competition.

Blooming Prairie runners have a scrimmage planned for August 27 at a local park, with teams from Hayfield joining in. The focus is on building stamina for the season. The Awesome Blossoms' opening competition is the Hayfield Invitational on September 3, offering a chance for top performers to shine early.

Medford Tigers cross country will scrimmage on August 25 at Medford's trails, alongside Waterville-Elysian-Morristown. This informal meet helps in setting personal records. Their season starts with the Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton Invite on August 30, a event that draws runners from across the conference.

NRHEG Panthers are set for a scrimmage on August 26 in New Richland, with Maple River participants. The opener for NRHEG is the NRHEG Invitational on September 2, hosted at their home course, which is known for its rolling terrain.

Soccer enthusiasts in the area have plenty to look forward to as well. The Owatonna boys' soccer team will scrimmage on August 23 at the Owatonna Soccer Complex against teams from Mankato. This is crucial for refining passing and defensive strategies. Their first game is on August 25, hosting Albert Lea in a Big Nine matchup.

The girls' team from Owatonna has a scrimmage on August 22, also at the complex, facing Rochester squads. Opening night for them is August 26 against Northfield, promising fast-paced action.

Blooming Prairie doesn't field a soccer team, but nearby Medford's cooperative program with other schools has a scrimmage on August 24. Their opener is against Tri-City United on August 28.

NRHEG's soccer teams scrimmage on August 25 and open against St. Peter on August 30.

Girls' tennis, with its focus on precision and agility, rounds out the fall offerings. Owatonna's team scrimmages on August 21 at the high school courts against Big Nine foes. Their first match is a triangular on August 23 hosting Mankato West and Red Wing.

Other area teams like NRHEG have scrimmages mid-week and openers in early September.

Swimming and diving for girls in Owatonna includes a scrimmage on August 24 at the pool, with their opener against Rochester Century on August 29.

These schedules underscore the vibrancy of fall sports in southern Minnesota, where communities rally around their young athletes. Scrimmages provide invaluable practice without the pressure of records, allowing teams to experiment and grow. As opening dates approach, the anticipation builds—fans filling stands, cheers echoing through stadiums, and the spirit of competition igniting passions. Whether it's the thud of a football tackle, the spike of a volleyball, the steady rhythm of cross country strides, or the swift kicks in soccer, these events mark the beginning of stories that will unfold over the coming months. Coaches across the board stress preparation, sportsmanship, and enjoyment, reminding athletes that while wins are great, the true value lies in the effort and camaraderie. As teams lace up, strap on helmets, and hit the fields, courts, and tracks, the fall sports season in Owatonna and surrounding areas is poised for memorable moments and fierce rivalries. (Word count: 1,248)

Read the Full Southern Minn Article at:
[ https://www.southernminn.com/owatonna_peoples_press/sports/scheduled-scrimmages-and-opening-competition-dates-for-area-fall-sports-teams/article_f3d7b8a7-0014-425e-8525-586aaf6933e0.html ]