Saints spoil Tigers’ playoff run

Northstars down ‘Cats again in 2021

By Casey Krautkramer

The Stratford football team’s inability to stop the slant pass over the middle from St. Croix Falls junior quarterback Brady Belisle to senior receiver Bryn Gouker proved to be the difference on Friday, resulting in the Tigers’ 19-14 home loss to the Saints in a WIAA Division 5 Level 2 playoff game.

No. 6 seed St. Croix Falls upset a second straight higher- seeded Central Wisconsin-Large (CWC-Large) football team on the road in the playoffs. St. Croix Falls dispatched Spencer/ Marshfield Columbus, 35-14, in a Level 1 playoff game and now Stratford. The Rockets were the No. 3 seed, while the Tigers were a No. 2 seed.

Stratford got off to a great start against St. Croix Falls, when senior running back Raife Smart scored a 51-yard touchdown on the first play of the Tigers’ opening possession in the first quarter. Junior Braeden Schueller kicked the extra point to give Stratford a 7-0 lead.

St. Croix Falls got on the scoreboard in the first quarter on senior Travis Oestreich’s 25-yard field goal to bring the Saints within four points of the Tigers.

The Saints took a 10-7 lead before halftime when quarterback Belisle connected with Gouker over the middle for a 21-yard touchdown, followed by Oestreich’s extra point.

Stratford regained the lead, 14-10, in the third quarter on Smart’s five-yard touchdown run and Schueller’s extra point.

St. Croix Falls went back on top in the fourth quarter when Belisle again found his favorite target, Gouker, for a 17-yard touchdown after Gouker fought off the Stratford defender for the jump ball in the end zone. Oestreich’s extra point gave the Saints a 17-14 advantage against the Tigers.

On Stratford’s next offensive possession, St. Croix Falls junior defensive lineman Brock Sawicki sacked Stratford senior quarterback Dillon Kirsch for loss to force a fourth-down punt. The center snapped the ball over the Stratford’s punter’s head and out of the back of the end zone for a safety. The Saints now led the Tigers, 1914. Stratford kicked off to St. Croix Falls, which had another promising offensive drive going until Stratford senior defensive back Elijah Lucio intercepted Belisle. Stratford, which isn’t known as a down-the-field passing team, was forced to try moving the ball through the air in an attempt to win the game. St. Croix Falls’ Oestreich sacked Dillion Kirsch for a loss back to the 29-yard line, forcing Stratford into a desperate fourth-down play. Belisle broke up a pass attempt from Dillion Kirsch to senior Devin Ulrich to end the game.

Dillon Kirsch completed eight of 14 passes for 63 yards. Belisle completed 11 of 18 passes for 223 yards, two touchdowns to Gouker and an interception for the Saints.

Smart led Stratford with 12 carries for 97 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Senior Dayo Oye paced St. Croix Falls with 14 carries for 67 yards and Belisle had 13 rushes for 58 yards. Senior Kaden Griesmer led the Tigers in receiving with four catches for 38 yards, while Gouker had a huge game for the Saints with seven receptions for 162 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Elijah Lucio paced Stratford with nine tackles and an interception. Senior Noah Barrett contributed seven tackles, while senior Gavin Kirsch and junior Johnny Seitz added six tackles each. Senior Zack Seitz led the Tigers with two sacks and he also had five tackles.

Stratford ends this season with an 8-3 record, while St. Croix Falls improves to 7-4 and now plays a WIAA Division 5 Level 3 playoff game at undefeated La Crosse Aquinas, 11-0, this Friday, Nov. 5, at UW-La Crosse.

Tigers senior lineman Cole Marten reflected about what he’ll remember most about his final season donning a Tigers football uniform.

“I had a great time and I had lots of great teammates,” Marten said. “Everybody pushed each other. I can’t be more thankful for these teammates I have out here with everyone having each other’s backs. It’s a great crew of guys and I love them all; I couldn’t ask for a better bunch of guys to be with.”

Zack Seitz echoed Marten’s thoughts on this season.

“I am just going to remember all the friendships I had and all the practices, bus rides and everything about this great season,” he said. “It sucks to lose but it was a lot of fun.”

‘Cats conclude season

Edgar’s football team lost its road rematch to Hurley, 22-16, on Friday. The Northstars held a considerable advantage in rushing yards, 362 to 41, against the Wildcats in the WIAA Division 7 Level 2 playoff game. Hurley only attempted one pass against Edgar.

The Wildcats were attempted to avenge a 22-20 overtime road loss to the Northstars during the regular season.

Hurley senior Max Blamey ran for a three-yard touchdown in the first quarter, but the team’s two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful. Blamey rushed for another three-yard touchdown in the second quarter, followed by Derek Ransanici’s two-point conversion run to give Hurley a 14-0 lead.

Edgar senior quarterback Mattison Butt connected with senior end Everet Brehm for a 19-yard touchdown in the second quarter, and Butt also passed to Brehm for the two-point conversion as the Wildcats cut into the Northstars’ lead, 14-18, at halftime.

Tony Cummings of Hurley busted lose for a 52-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, followed by Ransanici’s two-point conversion run to give the Northstars a 22-8 advantage. Edgar sophomore Karson Butt scored a six-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, followed by Mattison Butt’s two-point conversion pass Brehm. No team scored in the fourth quarter, however, as Hurley went on for a 22-16 victory.

Mattison Butt completed nine of 21 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown an interception. Karter Butt led Edgar in rushing with six carries for 30 yards and one touchdown. Cummings of Hurley ran the ball 11 times for 114 yards and one touchdown, while Blamey rushed 23 times for 104 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Ransanici had 16 carries for 96 yards.

Brehm paced the Wildcats in receiving with four grabs for 59 yards and one touchdown, while senior Ashton Schuett added three receptions for 56 yards.

Senior Jace Kohel led Edgar with 15 tackles. Senior Jordan Bunkelman added 14 tackles and one forced fumble. Karter Butt contributed 12 tackles, Ayden Weisenberger 10, Mattison Butt seven, Brehm six, sophomore Kohlbe Weisenberger five and senior Peyton Dahlke four.

Edgar concludes this season with a 7-4 record, while Hurley remains undefeated at 13-0. Hurley plays home against another unbeaten squad, Coleman, in a WIAA Division 7 Level 3 playoff game this Friday, Nov. 5.

SURE TACKLE- Stratford senior defensive back Elijah Lucio upends St. Croix Falls senior slot receiver Bryn Gouker during the Tiger’s 19-14 defeat to the Saints in Friday night’s home WIAA Division 5 Level 2 playoff game.STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER

CELEBRATING A DEFENSIVE TAKEAWAY- Tigers senior Gavin Kirsch reacts to his teammate, Elijah Lucio, intercepting a pass in the fourth quarter against the Saints.STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER