Tigers win slugfest against Warhawks

By Casey Krautkramer

Stratford’s varsity football team outlasted Weyauwega/Fremont, 53-33, in Friday night’s homecoming game. The Tigers amassed 364 rushing yards compared to 202 for the Warhawks.

Tigers senior Caleb Wrensch scored on a seven-yard touchdown run on fourth down and goal in the first quarter. Junior Mason Miller kicked the successful extra point to give Stratford a 7-0 lead.

Stratford senior safety Alec Chapel intercepted a pass on Weyauwega/Fremont’s offensive possession. The Tigers offense couldn’t convert on fourth down and nine at the 21-yard line, giving the football back to the Warhawks.

Weyauwega/Fremont senior quarterback Cameron Zielke scrambled up the middle for a four-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter. Stratford still led, 7-6, after Weyauwega/Fremont senior Charles Miller missed the extra point.

Tigers senior Jack Tubbs plunged into the end zone for a three-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter. Stratford was penalized for a false start on the extra point attempt, thus making it a longer kick. Mason Miller then missed the extra point but Stratford still led, 13-6.

Zielke threw a four-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Carter Birdyshaw in the second quarter but Stratford junior defensive back Colton Breit broke up the two-point conversion pass attempt. The Tigers now only led, 13-12.

Stratford head coach Jason Tubbs was not pleased with his team’s defensive play thus far in the game. He told his players to “get off the blocks and get to the quarterback.”

The Tigers responded right away on Wrench’s long kickoff return. The team’s offense later scored on junior Brooke Vanderhoof’s 13-yard rushing touchdown and two-point conversion.

Stratford received a gift when it recovered Zielke’s fumbled kickoff. The offense later scored again on senior Jack Tubbs’ 20-yard rushing touchdown. Tubbs’ two-point conversion run was unsuccessful but the Tigers still led, 27-12.

Weyauwega/Fremont decided to pull out a trick play with a successful fake punt for a first down conversion. It led to Charles Mueller’s 64-yard touchdown pass to junior Broc Billington. Mueller made the extra point to keep the Warhawks within distance of the Tigers at 27-19.

Stratford responded on senior Reid Miller’s 14-yard touchdown run. Vanderhoof’s two-point conversion run failed just short of the goal line but the Tigers still held a commanding 33-19 halftime advantage.

The scoring slowed down for teams in the third quarter but Reid Miller provided fireworks with a 40-yard rushing touchdown. Mason Miller’s extra point was unsuccessful but the Tigers still led, 39-19. Zielke threw a 38-yard passing touchdown to Birdyshaw and Mueller made the extra point. Stratford led, 39-26, at the end of the third quarter.

Stratford senior Jett Schoenherr ran for a three-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter and Jack Tubbs ran for the two-point conversion to give the Tigers a commanding 47-26 advantage. Zielke returned the kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown and Mueller made the extra point. Stratford still led, 47-33. Vanderhoof concluded the game’s scoring with a seven-yard touchdown run but Mason Miller missed the extra point.

Reid Miller led Stratford’s rushing attack with 13 carries for 133 yards and two touchdowns while Vanderhoof added 15 carries for 116 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior Xander Curtice, Chapel and Vanderhoof paced Stratford’s defense with eight tackles each while Wrensch added seven. Vanderhoof also had a forced fumble and Chapel had an interception. Reid Miller had the team’s only sack.

Stratford remains undefeated with a 5-0 record and is ranked No. 2 in Division 5 in this week’s wissports.net poll. Stratford is still tied with unbeaten Amherst for first place in the CWC-Large. Amherst is ranked No. 8 in Division 5. The Tigers and Falcons will play each other on Friday, Oct. 11, at Tigers Stadium.

Wildcats victorious

Edgar’s varsity football team dominated Pittsville, 35-0, in Friday’s homecoming game. The Wildcats led the Panthers, 280, at halftime.

Junior Maverick Butt scored Edgar’s only touchdown in the first quarter on a seven-yard run. The two-point conversion pass failed. Wildcats junior quarterback Tucker Streit threw a 29-yard touchdown to Butt in the second quarter, and senior Will Hackel ran for the two-point conversion to give Edgar a 14-0 lead.

Edgar junior Gavin Mauer ran for a 27yard touchdown and Jarvis Kofent kicked the extra point. Streit threw a 14-yard touchdown to senior Leyton Schuett and Kofent again made the extra point.

Butt ran for another touchdown in the third quarter and Kofent kicked the extra point.

Streit completed eight of 12 passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Hackel led Edgar in rushing with 11 carries for 73 yards while Butt ran seven times for 64 yards and two touchdowns.

Edgar defensive end Ty Schnelle led the squad with 11 tackles. Hackel had a sack while Streit had a forced fumble and Butt intercepted a pass.

Edgar improves its record to 4-1 overall and 3-0 in the Marawood/CWC. Pittsville falls to 1-4 overall and 1-2 in the Marawood/ CWC. Edgar and Abbotsford are tied for first place in the conference. The Wildcats are ranked No. 2 in Division 7 while the undefeated Falcons are ranked No. 3 in Division 6. Edgar concludes its regular season with a road game against Abbotsford on Friday, Oct. 18, that could determine the winner of the Marawood/ CWC.

Raiders stung by Hornets

Marathon’s varsity football squad lost to Colby, 48-3, on Friday night at home. The Red Raiders started third string quarter-

See FOOTBALL/ page 12

FIGHTING FOR MORE YARDS - Stratford senior Reid Miller (3) battles for additional yardage in the first quarter of Friday night’s 53-33 homecoming win against Weyauwega/Fremont. He finished the game with 133 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER

TOUGH NIGHT IN MARATHON - Marathon senior Logan Witberler returns a kickoff during Friday night’s 48-3 home loss to Colby.

TP PHOTO/NATHANIEL UNDERWOOD Football

Continued from page 11

back Blake Kraft, who was a senior wing back at the start of this season before the team needed him to play quarterback. Marathon’s top two quarterbacks are sidelined with injuries.

The Red Raiders’ only points against the Hornets came from senior Cody Radtke’s leg when he booted a 17-yard field goal in the second quarter.

Marathon falls to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in the Marawood/CWC. Colby improves its record to 2-3 overall and 2-1 in the Marawood/ CWC.

Bluejays lose tough game

The Athens varsity eight-man football team lost a close home game to Hurley, 12-6, on Friday night. Athens scored its only points on junior Kamden Zarnke’s touchdown pass to sophomore Daxton Diethelm in the fourth quarter.

Junior Evan Passehl led the Bluejays in rushing with 18 carries for 60 yards and he also paced the defense with 10 tackles. Senior Gavin Glenn added seven tackles. Sophomore Brock Beaty had six tackles and a forced fumble. Diethelm had six tackles and an interception. Zarnke also had an interception.

Athens falls to 0-4 this season while Hurley remains undefeated. The Northstars are ranked No. 2 in the eight-man football poll.