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MarshfieldAreaSports.com
AMHERST – The Stratford football team’s postseason run came to an end Friday night the same way it did a year ago.
Amherst held Stratford to 40 total yards in the first half and went on to a 21-7 victory in a WIAA Division 5 Level 3 playoff game Friday night at Amherst High School.
Amherst (11-1) will play either Stanley-Boyd or Bloomer in a Division 5 semifinal on Nov. 15 or 16. A date, site and time will be announced by the WIAA by Monday.
The Tigers (10-2) also lost at Amherst in a Level 3 game in 2012, falling 21-14. Amherst went on to win the Division 5 state championship last year.
Fullback Connor Zblewski had touchdown runs of 3 and 50 yards in the first half, putting Amherst up 14-0 at intermission. Zblewski had 207 yards rushing in the game.
The Falcons outgained Stratford 156-40 in the first half. The Tigers were held to 146 yards overall in the game.
Stratford cut its deficit in half in the third quarter when Eli Temanson scored on a 30-yard run, making it 14-7 midway through the quarter. The Tigers drove 70 yards in just three plays for the score.
Amherst responded with a long drive, but was stoned inside the red zone by the Tigers’ defense. Amherst had a 3rd-and-2 at the 7 but failed to gain another yard on the next two plays and gave up the ball on downs.
After a Stratford punt, Amherst finished the job this time, driving 44 yards in six plays. Garth Groshek caught a tipped pass for a 17-yard touchdown from Garret Groshek with 6:52 remaining.
Stratford drove back down the field and had a chance to cut into the Falcons’ lead again, but Drew Spaeth was intercepted by Garret Groshek at the goal line with 4:30 left in the game.
Amherst picked up four first downs on the ensuing possession and ran out the clock.
Falcons 21, Tigers 7
Stratford 0 0 7 0 – 7
Amherst 6 8 0 7 – 21
First Quarter
A – Connor Zblewski 3 run (kick failed), 6:05.
Second Quarter
A – Zblewski 50 run (Harry Piotrowski pass from Garret Groshek), 2:28.
Third Quarter
S – Eli Temanson 30 run (Jake Zuelke kick).
Fourth Quarter
A – Garth Groshek 17 pass from Garret Groshek (Garth Groshek kick), 6:52.