Athens still searching for first win

By Casey Krautkramer

At first, it appeared the Athens varsity football team might earn its first win this season. Athens junior Evin Passehl broke loose for a 41-yard touchdown run to give the Bluejays a quick 6-0 lead against Bruce at home.

Unfortunately, Bruce responded in a big way by outscoring the Bluejays, 38-12, at halftime en route to a 52-32 win. The Red Raiders spoiled the Bluejays’ home opener by earning their first win this season. Athens, meanwhile, is still searching for its first victory in 2024.

After Athens led Bruce, 6-0, Red Raiders junior quarterback Ryder Rodewald kept the football for a 47-yard touchdown run. Senior Levi Nyhagen caught the two-point conversion to give Bruce an 8-6 lead.

On Athens’ next offensive possession, the Bluejays were on the Red Raiders’ 28yard line needing six yards on fourth down to extend the drive. Junior quarterback Kamden Zarnke connected with senior Austin Dean for a 13-yard pass completion for a first down to Bruce’s 15-yard line.

Later in the drive, Athens was at Bruce’s six-yard line facing another pivotal fourth-down play in which the Bluejays only needed to gain one yard for a first down. Senior Kyle Schreiner ran up the middle for a first down on Bruce’s fouryard line. Passehl then ran untouched to the corner of the end zone to give Athens a 12-8 advantage with five minutes left in the first quarter. Unfortunately, this was the last time Athens scored points until its 20-point outburst in the fourth quarter.

Passehl was the star player of the game for Athens by rushing 14 times for 136 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught a 19-yard pass from Zarnke.

Schreiner led the Bluejays’ defense with 11 tackles and Passehl added nine. Senior Gavin Glenn had an impressive game on defense with five tackles, one sack and a forced fumble. Zarnke added five tackles and an interception. Sophomore Daxton Diethelm had five tackles and a forced fumble.

Athens has another home football game at 7 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 20, against Hurley. The Northstars are undefeated this season.

‘Cats sting the Hornets

Edgar senior football player Will Hackel had a huge Friday night in the team’s 53-0 road win against Rosholt. Hackel ran the football nine times for 108 yards and three touchdowns.

Hackel ran for a 15-yard touchdown in the first quarter to give Edgar a quick 6-0 lead. Junior quarterback Tucker Streit passed the football to senior Leyton Schuett for a nine-yard touchdown as Edgar led, 12-0, at the end of the opening quarter. Hackel rushed for a seven-yard touchdown and two-point conversion in the second quarter. Streit kept the ball for a 17-yard touchdown. Hackel scored his third rushing touchdown of the first half with a 50-yard score to give the Wildcats a 33-0 halftime advantage.

Junior Maverick Butt scored a one-yard touchdown plunge in the third quarter. Sophomore backup quarterback Kaden Bargender threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Isaiah Kraft. Streit threw the ball to Schuett for the two-point conversion to give Edgar a 47-0 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Freshman Landon Lukasko ran for a 37yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Edgar senior linebacker Ty Schnelle led the defense with six tackles. Junior linebacker Alex Schneider had a solid defensive night with five tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. Hackel recorded five tackles and a sack. Junior defensive back Gavin Mauer had five tackles and an interception. Streit also had an interception.

Edgar plays its homecoming game at 7 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 20, against Pittsville.

Tigers remain undefeated

On Friday, Stratford’s varsity football team held its third straight opponent scoreless until the fourth quarter. Stratford led Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 33-0, before allowing the Chargers to score a touchdown in the final quarter. The Tigers beat the Chargers, 33-6.

Senior Reid Miller scored a one-yard touchdown plunge and junior Mason Miller kicked the extra point to give Stratford a 7-0 lead in the opening quarter. Senior quarterback Jack Tubbs broke loose for a 21-yard touchdown run but Mason Miller’s extra point kick failed. The Tigers led the Chargers, 13-0, after the first quarter.

Tubbs threw a five-yard touchdown pass to senior Caleb Wrensch in the second quarter to give Stratford a 19-0 halftime advantage.

Junior Brooks Vanderhoof scored a oneyard touchdown plunge in the third quarter and Mason Miller kicked the extra point. Vanderhoof added a five-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and Mason Miller kicked the extra point.

Tubbs completed eight of 10 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown while also running 12 times for 94 yards and a touchdown.

Senior safety Alec Chapel led Stratford’s defense with 12 tackles. Senior linebacker Xander Curtice had seven tackles and a sack and senior defensive end Carter Lueck also had seven tackles. Senior linebacker Caleb Wrensch collected six tackles and a sack. Vanderhoof also had six tackles.

Stratford plays its homecoming football game at 7 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 20, against Weyauwega-Fremont.

Red Raiders stumble Marathon’s varsity football team down, 47-7, to an undefeated Amherst squad on Friday at home. Red Raiders sophomore quarterback Charlie Ehlert started the game in place of junior True Thurs who suffered an injury in the team’s 29-16 road win against Loyal/Greenwood the previous week. Ehlert completed a respectable 13 of 19 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown in Friday’s loss to Amherst.

The Red Raiders were losing, 41-0, to the Falcons at halftime. Marathon got on the scoreboard in the third quarter when Ehlert threw a touchdown to senior receiver Cody Radtke, who finished the game with two receptions for 48 yards. Sophomore Garrett Bracewell led Marathon in receiving with six catches for 107 yards. Junior Blake Underwood hauled in a 35-yard reception.

Marathon falls to 1-1 in the Central Wisconsin Conference-Large and 2-2 overall this season. Marathon plays at 7 p.m. this Friday against Colby at home. The Hornets picked up their first win of the season on Friday with a 44-0 home victory against Loyal/Greenwood.

SCHREINER IS TOUGH TO TACKLE - Athens senior running back Kyle Schreiner eludes Bruce defender Ryder Rodewald’s tackle attempt to get to the edge of the Red Raiders’ defense for a nice gain in the opening quarter of Friday’s 52-32 home loss.

See FOOTBALL ROUNDUP/ page 14

STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER