This story is sponsored by: Victory Apparel
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
EDGAR – Long-time football rivals Stratford and Edgar took the field again Friday night in a nonconference matchup at Edgar High School, and to no one’s surprise, defense was the name of the game.
Stratford scored a defensive touchdown, stopped Edgar inside the 10-yard line on three different possessions and were able to pull away for a 21-8 victory.
“Every time we play Edgar it’s usually the defense that puts the wins or losses in the column,” Stratford coach Jason Tubbs said. “Our kids executed the defense. I’m super proud of those guys for battling.”
Caleb Wrensch returned an Edgar fumble 13 yards for the game’s first score as Stratford took a 7-0 lead with 5:22 to go in the opening quarter.
Stratford’s special teams set up the second score as Connor Kreft blocked a punt following Edgar’s second three-and-out and the Tigers took over at the 35.
Stratford cashed in on the first play of the second quarter when Coltan Breit hauled in a fade pass to the left corner of the end zone from quarterback Jack Tubbs for a 15-yard score on fourth-and-9 and the Tigers went up 14-0.
The Tigers’ defense buckled down as Edgar drove inside the 10 on three-straight possessions only to be turned away on downs each time and Stratford took a 14-0 lead into the break.
The third quarter went quickly with only 18 plays run, 14 coming on the ground and neither team scored.
Edgar drove down to the Stratford 12 following a 24-yard pass from Tucker Streit to Brock Mauer to end the quarter and this time the Wildcats were finally able to convert for some points.
On the third play of the fourth quarter, Maverick Butt went in from the 6 on an option pitch to the left. Will Hackel ran in the two-point conversion, suddenly Edgar was back in it, trailing 14-8.
Stratford, which had been held without a first down since the first quarter, put together a game-clinching drive on the ensuing possession.
The Tigers drove 73 yards on 14 plays – 12 on the ground – wearing more than eight minutes off the clock. Tubbs capped it off with a 10-yard run around left end to finish off the scoring and the win for Stratford (2-0).
Stratford defensive lineman Walker Weis finished off the game with a great interception with 1:10 to go and the Tigers ran out the clock.
“This team is selfless, they don’t mind who carries the ball,” Jason Tubbs said. “Reid had a couple of good runs, Jack had a couple of good runs, Caleb Wrensch had a couple of good runs, and the line just keeps blocking and blocking and blocking.
“This is a tough place to win. They have a guy and a coaching staff that has been around for a long time. If you look up the definition of smash-mouth football, it’s Stratford versus Edgar.”
Stratford outgained Edgar 155-142 in the spirited defensive battle.
Stratford will play at Spencer/Columbus in its Central Wisconsin Conference Large Division opener next Friday, Edgar will open CWC Small action at Auburndale.
Tigers 21, Wildcats 8
Stratford 7 7 0 7 – 21
Edgar 0 0 0 8 – 8
First Quarter
S – Caleb Wrensch 13 fumble return (Mason Miller kick), 5:22.
Second Quarter
S – Coltan Breit 15 pass from Jack Tubbs (M. Miller kick), 11:54.
Fourth Quarter
E – Maverick Butt 2 run (Will Hackel run), 10:38.
S – Tubbs 10 run (M. Miller kick), 2:18.
Team Statistics
First downs: S 7; E 7.
Rushing (att-yards): S 32-110; E 30-93.
Passing (comp-att-yards-int): S 5-9-45-2; E 5-14-49-1.
Total yards: S 155; E 142.
Fumbles (total-lost): S 0-0; E 1-1.
Penalties (no.-yards): S 6-31; E 1-6.
Individual Statistics
Rushing: S, Caleb Wrensch 5-33, Reid Miller 10-31, Jack Tubbs 13-28, Jett Schoenherr 2-11, Brooks Vanderhoof 2-7. E, Will Hackel 8-28, Jace Apfelbeck 7-26, Maverick Butt 10-14, Tucker Steit 3-13, Gavin Mauer 1-8, Brock Mauer 1-4.
Passing: S, Tubbs 5-9-45-2. E, Streit 5-14-49-1.
Receiving: S, Breit 3-23, Schoenherr 2-22. E, Leyton Schuett 3-16, Mauer 2-33.
Interceptions (defense): S, Walker Weis. E, Streit, Mauer.
Fumble recoveries (defense): S, Wrensch.
Records: Stratford 2-0; Edgar 1-1.