Orono has scored 73 points in a game this season. It has also won with 20.
The defending Class AAAA state champions have taken different routes to a 6-0 start, from a late comeback against Becker to an offensive outburst at Westonka. Friday’s 20-7 victory over Marshall added another example, coming against the same opponent Orono narrowly defeated on its way to last year’s state championship.
For head coach Joe McPherson, the latest meeting with Marshall was another physical test.
“The Marshall game was a hard fought physical matchup like it is every year,” McPherson said. “I was proud of our players for battling all game.”
The Spartans will try to remain unbeaten Wednesday, Oct. 14, when they visit Delano for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
Orono entered this season after winning the program’s first state championship. The Spartans defeated Marshall 15-14 in the 2025 Class AAAA semifinals before beating Kasson-Mantorville 21-14 in the championship game.
That run came with Griffin Mauer directing the offense. Mauer finished last season with 1,498 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns, 653 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.
Senior quarterback and linebacker Finn Dyvik has taken over the position this fall after serving in a reserve role last season.
His first start brought an immediate challenge.
Orono trailed Becker by nine points late in the fourth quarter of its Sept. 3 opener before rallying for a 35-28 victory. Dyvik connected with senior running back and linebacker Owen Paulsen for a 68-yard touchdown during the comeback.
The Spartans followed with a 37-14 victory over Byron and a 48-14 win against Big Lake before producing their most impressive offensive numbers of the season against Westonka.
Orono defeated the White Hawks 73-7 on Sept. 25, piling up 611 yards of total offense and building a 45-0 halftime lead.
Dyvik threw four touchdown passes, while junior running back and linebacker Hudson Hirt scored three times on the ground.
Hirt entered the season with championship experience of his own. He rushed for 588 yards in 2025, including 85 yards on 14 carries in the state championship victory against Kasson-Mantorville.
Senior wide receiver and linebacker Bennett Halverson is another returning contributor. Halverson caught 31 passes for 510 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
Halverson, Dyvik, Paulsen and senior offensive and defensive lineman Devin Warner are Orono’s four captains this fall.
The Spartans continued their unbeaten start with a 49-7 victory over Zimmerman on Oct. 2, setting up another meeting with Marshall.
Orono had scored at least 35 points in each of its first five games. Against the Tigers, the Spartans managed 20, their lowest total of the season.
The defense helped make the difference, holding Marshall to seven points.
McPherson appreciated his players’ effort but acknowledged that the Spartans still have areas to address before the postseason.
“We made some mistakes that we will need to clean up over the next few games before playoffs begin,” McPherson said.
Orono’s next opponent presents another challenge.
Delano defeated Big Lake 42-24 on Sept. 25 and is coming off a 42-7 victory over Westonka. The Tigers will host the Spartans on Wednesday before Orono closes its regular season against Providence Academy on Oct. 20.
McPherson expects Delano’s offensive personnel to demand considerable preparation.
“We are looking forward to a great game with Delano – they are a really good team,” McPherson said. “We have a lot to prepare for this week because of all their weapons but hope to go into their place and put together a full game.”
The Spartans have already won games requiring late-game execution, explosive offense and a lower-scoring performance against a familiar opponent. With two regular-season games remaining, their unbeaten record remains intact, but McPherson’s attention is on what Orono can improve before another postseason run.