Tigers suffer first loss this year

Team edged by Chargers

Stratford’s defense gave up a backbreaking opening drive to Wittenberg-Birnamwood’s offense, but then the Tigers held the Chargers scoreless for the rest of Friday’s home game.

Unfortunately for Stratford, Wittenberg- Birnamwood’s long touchdown drive and two-point conversion to start the game held up as the Tigers were dealt an 8-6 loss. It was Stratford’s first loss this season.

Wittenberg-Birnamwood took the ball to open the game and it executed an 18-play, 75-yard drive that chewed up over eight minutes in the first quarter. The Chargers made first downs on all three of their fourthdown attempts on the opening drive. Chargers senior quarterback Ben Wesolowski capped the drive off with a one-yard touchdown run and he added the two-point conversion run.

Things only got worse for Stratford when Wittenberg-Birnamwood recovered a Tigers fumble on the ensuing kickoff at Stratford’s 30-yard line. During their second offensive drive of the game, the Chargers converted a first down on their fourth straight fourth-down attempt to start the game. Stratford’s defense stopped Wittenberg- Birnamwood, however, on its fifth fourth-down attempt of the game. Wesolowski’s pass sailed over his receiver’s head in the end zone, turning the ball over on downs to Stratford at its own 18-yard line.

Tigers senior Raife Smart broke loose in the second quarter for a 48- yard touchdown run, but the team’s two-point conversion run was unsuccessful. Wittenberg-Birnamwood took an 8-6 halftime lead and neither team scored in the second half.

Junior Johnny Seitz led Stratford’s defense with 14 tackles, while senior Noah Barrett had 13 and junior Jackson Ormond 12.

Stratford falls to 3-1 in the Central Wisconsin Conference-Large (CWCLarge) and 5-1 overall this season. Wittenberg-Birnamwood improves to 3-1 in the CWC-Large and 4-3 overall.

Wildcats fall in OT

Edgar’s football team lost a thrilling road game to Hurley, 22-20, on Friday.

Hurley scored six points in the second quarter to take a 6-0 halftime lead. Things heated up in the fourth quarter, with Edgar scoring 14 points and Hurley eight to tie the game and send it into overtime. The Northstars edged the Wildcats, 8-6, in overtime to gain the victory.

Sophomore Karter Butt led Edgar with 12 rushes for 86 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Senior Everet Brehm added three rushes for 73 yards and one touchdown.

Karter Butt also paced the Wildcats’ defense with 14 tackles, including 10 of them solo tackles. Senior Ayden Weisenberger contributed 13 tackles and a quarterback hurry. Senior Jordan Bunkelman and Brehm had 10 tackles each. Seniors Peyton Dahlke and Ashton Schuett knocked down one pass apiece.

Edgar falls to 3-3 this season. Hurley remains undefeated with a 6-0 record and is now ranked third in this week’s Division 7 wissports.net coaches poll, while Edgar falls to seventh in Division 7.