One more game before Madison

Stratford just needs to win this Friday

By Casey Krautkramer

Stratford’s football team is only one win away from qualifying for the WIAA Division 6 state championship this season.

The Tigers dominated the Grantsburg Pirates, 27-7, in Friday’s Level 3 playoff road game. Stratford improves its record to 9-2-1 while Grantsburg fell to 10-3. Stratford advances to play Fond du Lac St. Mary’s Springs Academy at 7 p.m. this Friday, Nov. 11, in the state semifinal game at Waupaca High School.

St. Mary’s Springs Academy edged Coleman, 21-20, in a Level 3 road contest to advance into this Friday’s game against Stratford. St. Mary’s has an 11-1 record this season with its lone defeat to Mayville, which is the Ledgers’ Flyway Conference foe. Mayville remains undefeated and plays in this Friday’s Division 5 state semifinal against Prairie du Chien in McFarland.

Stratford’s coaches and players likely aren’t fazed by St. Mary’s record, however, because the Tigers have been dominating their playoff opponents thus far this season. The Tigers could be having a tremendous amount of success in the playoffs because they are true “road warriors” this season with not playing any home games in Stratford to give the newly-planted grass field time to grow.

Regardless, Stratford played impressive football on Friday after its three-hour drive to Grantsburg in northwest Wisconsin. The Tigers got off the bus and quickly built a 21-0 halftime advantage against the Pirates.

Stratford senior quarterback Braeden Schueller had another solid playoff game by completing seven of 11 passes for 91 yards and one touchdown. Schueller also ran for a touchdown. Junior Koehler Kilty led the Tigers in rushing with 39 carries for 236 yards and one touchdown. Junior Gavin Leonhardt paced the team in receiving with two catches for 54 yards and a touchdown. Leonhardt also intercepted a pass and ran it back for a touchdown.

Senior Ryan Becker led the Tigers’ defense with 12 tackles while seniors John Seitz III and Ashton Wrensch added 10 tackles apiece. Senior Izaiah Hadlock forced a Grantsburg fumble.

Stratford is competing in the WIAA playoffs for the 31st consecutive season and will attempt to make it back to the state tournament for the first time since 2019. Stratford played in back-to-back WIAA Division 5 state championships in 2018 and 2019. The last time Stratford played against St. Mary’s Springs Academy was in 2018 when the Tigers lost to the Ledgers, 20-17, in the state title game.