This story is sponsored by Total Electric
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
The 2018 WIAA football playoffs continue Friday, Nov. 2, with Level 3 state quarterfinals across the state.
Four games each in seven divisions will be played Friday with winners moving on to Level 4 state semifinals Nov. 9 or 10. The 2018 WIAA State Football Championships scheduled for Nov. 15-16 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, where seven division titles will be settled.
Three area teams remain alive for a state finals berth heading into Level 3 games. Here is a look at the matchups:
Division 2
Pulaski Raiders (10-1) at Marshfield Tigers (11-0)
When and where: Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m. at Beell Stadium, Marshfield Middle School.
About the Raiders: Pulaski turned to quarterback Dylan Hendricks time and again last week as he ran 45 times for 308 yards and three scores, including the final one with just 1:55 left in the game as the Raiders edged River Falls 27-21 in a Level 2 game on the road. Hendricks leads the state in rushing with 2,468 yards and has scored 28 TDs this season.
About the Tigers: Marshfield will be playing its final varsity game at Beell Stadium on Friday after holding off Menasha 26-20 in a Level 2 game on Oct. 26. Marshfield raced out to a 20-0 lead on the strength of two Ryan Krueger touchdown passes before the Bluejays made it close late with a pair of scores in the final 3 minutes of the game. The Tigers were held to just 107 rushing yards and a 3-yard per carry average, but had 156 yards passing and forced the game’s only turnover.
From Marshfield coach Denny Goettl: “Pulaski has a very physical running quarterback. He is there whole offense, it seems like. We obviously have to stop him and the rest of his offensive cast. They are athletic and solid. They don’t seem to make many mistakes and they control the ball when on offense. We have to score early and often to give ourselves a chance. We have to play our game and make adjustments when needed. It should be a good game.”
Division 5
Westby Norsemen (10-1) at Spencer/Columbus Catholic Rockets (10-1)
When and where: Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m., at Ted Fritsch Field, Spencer High School.
About the Norsemen: Westby, champions of the Coulee Conference, rolled past Elk Mound 35-6 in a Level 2 game last Friday. The Norsemen led 7-6 at halftime before pulling away with a 21-point fourth quarter. Ryan Daines rushed for 145 yards as Westby piled up 280 yards on the ground. Daines has 1,501 rushing and 26 touchdowns this year. Westby has scored at least 26 points in each of its games this season, and had 32 or more in each of its last five games.
About the Rockets: Spencer/Columbus raced out to a 30-0 lead and survived three-straight second-half scores from Bloomer to win its Level 2 matchup 37-18 last week. The Rockets had 378 yards rushing, including 100-yard performances from Austin Bacon (123) and Hayden Bauman (103). Quarterback Jarred Mandel added 87 yards on the ground and 84 more through the air for SC.
From SC coach Jason Gorst: “(Westby) is a very good team. We have to prevent the big pass play and limit their run game. Offensively, we need to handle their pressure early and be more aggressive in our blocking. Big plays on special teams tend to have a large impact this time of year. We need them to go our way.”
Division 5
Stratford Tigers (9-2) at Kewaunee Storm (11-0)
When and where: Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m., at Kewaunee High School.
About the Tigers: Kade Ehrike rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns, and Eli Drexler ran back an interception for score as the Tigers cruised past Colby 48-0 in a Level 2 matchup at home last week. Stratford added two more defensive touchdowns – a fumble return by Jaykob Mikelson and an interception return by Max Vanderhoof – in the second half to put the game away. Stratford piled up 369 yards while holding the Hornets to just 33 total yards.
About the Storm: Kewaunee, champions of the MONLPC-Large, held off Southern Door, 31-28, in a Level 2 matchup Oct. 26. Owen Kudick has rushed for more than 1,700 yards this season for the Storm.
From Stratford coach Jason Tubbs: “Kewaunee has a very athletic team with a shifty running back, very strong-armed quarterback, and tall receivers. We need to limit the big plays and keep their offense on the sidelines with sustained drives by our offense.”