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MarshfieldAreaSports.com
The WIAA State Football Championships began Thursday and will continue Friday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
DIVISION 7: Gilman knocked off two-time defending champion Burlington Catholic Central 42-13 in the Division 7 championship game Thursday morning. Gilman piled up 438 yards rushing in the rout. It is Gilman’s third state title to go along with a Division 7 title in 2006 and a Division 6 crown in 1986. Cody Rosemeyer led the Pirates with a Division 7 record four touchdowns and rushed for 218 years. Austin Zach added 181 yards on the ground for Gilman.
DIVISION 6: Edgar won its sixth state title in school history, edging Fond du Lac St. Mary’s Springs 6-3 with 5:50 left in the fourth quarter Thursday afternoon. The Wildcats converted three third-downs on their opening offensive possession to drive for a touchdown. Springs made a 34-yard field goal on the final play of the first half to cut the Wildcats’ lead in half. The Wildcats intercepted a Springs pass at the 20 with 5:54 to go as the Ledgers were driving inside Edgar territory. Edgar is the defending Division 6 state champ, while Springs won the Division 5 title a year ago. This was Edgar’s 10th state championship game appearance and sixth time, going along with championships won in 1979, 1992, 1999, 2001 and last year.
DIVISION 5: Brillion beat Colby 31-10 to capture its fourth state title. The Hornets kicked a 31-yard field goal on the first possession of the game and Brillion made a 33-yard field goal on the final play of the half to tie it. Brillion scored a pair of third quarter touchdowns to take a 14-point lead before Colby responded with a touchdown at the 10:28 mark of the fourth quarter. The Lioins then chewed up 7 minutes on the clock to regain their 14-point advantage with another score. Justin Zeamer raced 80 yards after receiving a hand-of on a kick-return reverse to open the third quarter. Will Jensen threw for two touchdowns in a 28-point second half to clinch the victory for the Lions. Each team entered the game undefeated at 13-0. Colby was looking for its third state title to go along with championships in 1998 and 2008. Brillion won state titles in 1984, 2003 and 2004.
DIVISION 4: Kewaunee (14-0) won its first state championship, beating Brodhead/Juda (11-3) 41-21 in Thursday’s final game. Kewaunee was making its fifth state finals appearance, but had never won, losing in the title game in 2001, 2006, 2007 and last year. Brodhead/Juda was in the playoffs for the 19th straight season, but making just its second state finals appearance. The Cardinals also lost in the 2003 Division 4 championship game.
DIVISION 3: West De Pere scored 21 points in the second quarter and rolled to a 35-0 win over Waukesha Catholic Memorial to capture its first state championship. Quarterback Jay Tollefson led the Phantoms, rushing for 150 yards and a pair of touchdowns and throwing for 133 yards and two scores.
DIVISION 2: Waunakee won its second straight D-2 state title, beating Cedarburg 48-7 on Friday afternoon. Waunakee led 14-7 at halftime then scored 34 unanswered points in the second half. The Warriors scored on four of six offensive possessions in the second half and returned an interception for a touchdown. Cedarburg was making its first state finals appearance a week after knocking off Marshfield 35-21 in a semifinal matchup.
DIVISION 1: Waukesha West (13-1) beat Stevens Point Area Senior High (10-4) 45-26 to win its second state title. West led 21-6 after the first quarter. SPASH blocked a punt in the end zone early in the second quarter and took over at the 4, scoring two plays later. West responded with another touchdown drive and then scored on a long pass play with just 1 second left in the half to open up a 35-12 lead. Wisconsin Valley Conference champion Stevens Point was making its first state finals appearance since 1977. West’s title goes along with the one it won in Division 2 in 2004. Joe Schobert rushed for a Division 1 title-game record 295 yards and three touchdowns for the Wolverines.
Thursday, Nov. 18
Division 7 – Gilman (13-1) 42, Burlington Catholic Central (12-2) 13 Box Score
Division 6 – Edgar (14-0) 6, Fond du Lac St. Mary’s Springs (12-2) 3 Box Score
Division 5 – Brillion (14-0) 31, Colby (13-1) 10 Box Score
Division 4 – Kewaunee (14-0) 41, Brodhead/Juda (11-3) 21 Box Score
Friday, Nov. 19
Division 3 – West De Pere (14-0) 35, Waukesha Catholic Memorial (11-3) 0 Box Score
Division 2 – Waunakee (14-0) 48, Cedarburg (12-2) 7 Box Score
Division 1 – Waukesha West (13-1) 45, Stevens Point (10-4) 26 Box Score