Continuing quest for a three-peat

By Casey Krautkramer

Stratford’s varsity football squad won its 24th consecutive game on Friday dating back to last season. WIAA Division 5 No. 1 seed Stratford beat No. 3 seed Lake Country Lutheran, 34-11, in Friday’s Level 3 game at Heiting Community Stadium at Marshfield High School. The Tigers were a much more disciplined team than the Lightning who had two fumbles and threw two interceptions.

Stratford, 12-0, now plays against No. 1 playoff seed Prairie du Chien, 11-1, at 7 p.m. this Friday, Nov. 15, in a Level 4 playoff contest at JustAGame’s football field in Wisconsin Dells. Prairie du Chien’s only loss this season was in its season opener, 14-12, to La Crosse Aquinas at UW-La Crosse. Aquinas, 11-1, is playing in a Division 4 state semifinal on Friday.

The winner between Stratford and Prairie du Chien will advance to state and play the winner of the other WIAA Division Level 4 playoff game between No. 1 playoff seed Wrightstown, 11-1, and No. 2 seed Maple Northwestern, 10-2, at Rhinelander. The WIAA Division 5 state championship is at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.

Stratford won back-to-back WIAA Division 6 state championships last season to tie the state record with having the most state titles in program history. Stratford is currently tied with Fond du Lac St. Mary’s Springs with nine state championships apiece. The Tigers, however, have an opportunity to win a state record 10th state title this season, this time in Division 5, because the Lancers exited the playoffs early.

On Friday, Stratford’s defense stopped Lake Country Lutheran’s offense numerous times even though the Lightning started many offensive possessions having great field position. Stratford’s short kickoff gave Lake Country Lutheran the football at the Lightning’s 40-yard line to begin the game. Lake Country Lutheran couldn’t take advantage of the great field position, however, as it went three-andout on offense before punting the football.

Stratford avoided a disastrous turnover when senior Jack Tubbs recovered senior Jett Schoenherr’s fumble punt return on the Tigers’ 18-yard line. The Tigers offense strung together a lengthy drive that resulted in Tubbs’ quarterback sneak up the middle for a one-yard touchdown run with two minutes, 39 seconds left in the first quarter. Junior Mason Miller kicked the successful extra point to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead.

After another Stratford short kickoff, Lake Country Lutheran again started with great field position at its own 44-yard line. The Tigers defense again forced the Lightning to punt the ball. This time Stratford had great field position at its 46-yard line after Lake Country’s short punt. Stratford’s offense strung together another long drive resulting in Schoenherr’s two-yard touchdown run out of the full house backfield. Mason Miller kicked the successful extra point to give the Tigers a 14-0 lead with just over eight minutes left in the second quarter.

Lake Country Lutheran began its third offensive possession on its own 34-yard line. Later in the drive, Stratford’s defense recovered Lake Country Lutheran senior quarterback Jackson Menzel’s fumble. Stratford’s offense failed to capitalize on the turnover, however, and was forced to punt the ball.

The Lightning started their fourth offensive possession of the game at their own 35-yard line with four minutes, 41 seconds left before halftime. Stratford’s defense forced Lake Country Lutheran into fourth down and Tigers junior defensive back Coltan Breit intercepted Menzel’s pass on Stratford’s 11-yard line.

Stratford’s offensive drive ended badly. Tubbs was sacked for a loss of eight yards. On the next play, Tubbs threw an interception over the middle of the field to Lake Country Lutheran junior Evan Roell who returned the football to Stratford’s 10-yard line. Tubbs had the touchdown-saving tackle against Roell after throwing the interception. The Lightning had first and goal at the 10-yard line with 14 seconds remaining before halftime. Stratford’s defense stood firm though when Menzel was forced to throw the ball out of bounds with See SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL/ page 14

HAVING A HUGE PLAYOFF GAME - Stratford senior Jettt Schoenherr runs the football during his team’s 34-11 WIAA Division 5 Level 3 playoff victory against Lake Country Lutheran on Friday at Heiting Community Stadium at Marshfield Senior High School. Schoenherr scored three rushing touchdowns in the win.

PHOTO BY JENNY CHAPEL Sectional championship football

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1.8 seconds left before halftime. Lightning senior Bennett Ham made a 23-yard field goal as time expired.

Stratford’s defense held Lake Country Lutheran to only 30 yards rushing and 22 yards passing in the first half. The Tigers, meanwhile, had 131 yards rushing and 57 yards passing in the first half.

Stratford scored 22 straight points in the second half to take a commanding 34-3 lead with nine minutes, 23 seconds left in the game.

Schoenherr ran for a seven-yard touchdown and Miller made the extra point with six minutes, 52 seconds left in the third quarter. Senior Caleb Wrensch rushed for a two-yard touchdown and Miller made the extra point with six minutes, nine seconds remaining in the third quarter. Schoenherr scored his third touchdown of the game with a two-yard touchdown run but Miller’s extra point failed with nine minutes, 23 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Lake Country Lutheran scored the game’s final points when Menzel threw a 42-yard touchdown to senior Blake Barlow with 46 seconds left in the game. Menzel ran in the two-point conversion.

Junior Brooks Vanderhoof led Stratford in rushing yards with 10 carries for 48 yards. Tubbs had 10 rushes for 47 yards and a touchdown while Wrensch added nine rushes for 46 yards and a touchdown. Senior Reid Miller had 13 rushes for 44 yards. Schoenherr led the Tigers with three rushing touchdowns on seven carries for 43 yards. Wrensch paced Stratford’s receivers with five catches for 101 yards and Schoenherr had six catches for 44 yards.

Stratford senior safety Alec Chapel, who was awarded the Central Wisconsin Large Conference defensive player of the year this season, led the team with 15 tackles. Junior linebacker Cody Randow and Wrensch each forced a fumble while Breit had an interception.

STOUT DEFENSE - Stratford senior safety Alec Chapel celebrates one of the team’s many huge defensive stops against Lake Country Lutheran on Friday.

PHOTO BY JENNY CHAPEL

SECTIONAL CHAMPIONS - The Tigers celebrate their WIAA Division 5 sectional championship win, 34-11, against Lake Country Lutheran on Friday at Heiting Community Stadium at Marshfield Senior High School.

PHOTO BY JENNY CHAPEL