Area Weekend HS football roundup for Week 8

D.C. Everest clinches at least a share of the WVC title with a win at SPASH, Tomahawk and Mosinee stay tied atop the GNC, Stratford wins CWC-Large showdown at Amherst and 8-Player playoff bracket announced with Newman Catholic keeping perfect record of WIAA playoff appearances alive.

In the Wisconsin Valley Conference a potential league title was on the line at Goerke Field as SPASH hosted D.C. Everest. It was the Evergreens who secure at least a share of the conference championship after beating the Panthers 28-13. Sophomore quarterback Ty Rohde hit on 11 of 16 passes for 206 yards and a touchdown with senior WR Xavier Edwards his top target. Edwards caught 5 passes for 104 yards in helping Everest to a 5-0 mark in the WVC and 5-3 overall. SPASH falls to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the league despite 183 yards passing and 89 yards rushing from QB Trent Breitbach.

Marshfield is one game back of Everest with one week left after the Tigers rallied past Eau Claire North 43-35 to improve to 4-4 overall and 4-1 in the WVC. Marshfield got a late field goal to take the lead and then added a fumble recovery TD on the last play of the game. Junior running back Haiden Carlson had a huge night with 257 yards on 27 carries and four touchdowns. Marshfield can earn a share of the WVC title with a win at home vs. SPASH on Friday combined with a D.C. Everest loss vs. Eau Claire Memorial.

Wausau West clinches a playoff berth with a 49-14 win over Eau Claire Memorial on Friday in a game heard live on 98.9 WXCO. Senior running back Cooper DePuydt rushed for a career-high 264 yards on 26 carries with 2 touchdowns for the Warriors (5-3 overall, 4-2 WVC). TE Shea Jones caught two passes for 73 yards with both catches for touchdowns.

Wisconsin Rapids lost a non-conference crossover game 49-14 vs. New Richmond. Sawyer Brooks ran for 98 yards on 12 carries with both touchdowns for Rapids (0-8 overall, 0-5 WVC).

In the Great Northern Conference it was a three-way tie for first place heading into Friday’s action. Two of the teams, Merrill and Tomahawk, met on the Hatchets’ home field. Tomahawk continues their best season in years with a 24-3 win over the Bluejays. Tomahawk (7-1 overall and 5-1 in the GNC) got 137 yards rushing on 15 carries with a touchdown from Teigan Sarazin. Kanin Jahnke led Merrill (5-3, 4-2 GNC) with 70 yards rushing on 12 attempts.

Mosinee maintains their share of first place in the GNC after beating Antigo 41-0. Treve Stoffel hit on 10 of 11 passes for 134 yards and a TD while also added 137 yards rushing on 10 carries with 3 scores for Mosinee (6-2 overall, 5-1 GNC).

Wausau East keeps their playoff hopes alive after beating Lakeland 24-10 Saturday afternoon in a game heard live on 98.9 WXCO. Iain Stahel had 153 yards rushing, a touchdown reception and also returned a fumble for a score for East (3-5 overall, 2-4 GNC). Lakeland drops to 5-3 overall and 3-3 in the GNC.

In a battle of teams who needed a win to help their playoff chances, Medford wins in Rhinelander 42-12. Both teams are now 3-5 overall while Medford moves to 3-3 in the GNC and Rhinelander falls to 2-4.

In the CWC-Large it was a battle of league unbeatens as Stratford visited Amherst. The Tigers, who started the season with a pair of non-conference losses, made it 6 straight conference wins with a 34-21 win over the Falcons. Stratford handed Amherst their first loss overall this season by running the ball with senior Brooks Vanderhoof. Vanderhoof carried 35 times for 259 yards and three touchdowns. QB Brady Berg was efficient by hitting 5 of 7 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown.

A massive win for Marathon and their hopes of a playoff berth on Friday. The Red Raiders rallied from a 14-0 deficit to beat Wittenberg-Birnamwood 20-14. Both teams are now 4-4 overall and 3-3 in the CWC-Large heading into the final game of the regular season.

Weyauwega-Fremont kept their playoff hopes alive while hurting Loyal/Greenwood’s hopes with a 35-22 win on Friday. After a 4-0 start to the season, Loyal-Greenwood has now dropped four games in a row and stand 2-4 in the conference. Weyauwega-Fremont is likewise 4-4 overall and 2-4 in the conference with both teams needing a win this Friday to have a chance for the postseason.

Spencer/Columbus moves to 4-4 overall and 3-3 in the CWC-Large after beating Colby 43-12. Jack Hoeper had 257 yards rushing on 29 attempts with three touchdowns for the Rockets, who have won two straight. Colby is 1-7 overall and 0-6 in the conference.

In the Marawood-CWC Edgar continues to roll as the Wildcats beat Pacelli 42-0 on Thursday. Maverick Butt ran 6 times for 94 yards while adding 9 tackles on defense for Edgar (8-0 overall, 6-0 Marawood-CWC). Bryce Flaker ran for 44 yards for Pacelli (2-6, 2-4).

Auburndale improves to 7-1 overall and 5-1 in the conference after beating Assumption 41-6 on Friday. Payton Weinfurter hit 6 of 7 passes for 105 yards and 3 touchdowns while running for 84 yards on just four attempts for the Eagles. Assumption is 2-6 overall and 2-4 in the conference.

Pittsville contines their late season playoff push with a 58-34 win over Iola-Scandinavia. Dawson Luther cracks the 1,000 yard mark for the season after rushing for 279 yards on 19 carries with 3 touchdowns for the Panthers (3-5 overall, 3-3 Marawood-CWC). Iola-Scandinavia falls to 2-6 overall and 1-5 in the conference.

In 8-Player football it was a combination of action on the field in the final week of the regular season and the announcement of the playoff field and brackets on Saturday.

Newman Catholic finishes their regular season at 5-3 after falling at Tri-County 34-12 on Friday in a game heard on 98.9 WXCO. However, the Cardinals again have earned a berth in the WIAA playoffs. Newman is one of just two programs to have made the playoffs every year the WIAA has sponsored a state tournament. Newman is a #5 seed in their bracket and will travel to #4 Frederic on Saturday for a Level 1 game. That game will be broadcast live on 98.9 WXCO, online at wxco.fm, mobile devices by searching WXCO and on the Civic Media app starting with the pregame at 12:35 pm and kickoff set for 1 pm.

Athens is also heading to the 8-Player playoffs. Athens will take a 6-2 record into the postseason after receiving a forfeit win over Rib Lake to finish the regular season. Athens will host Niagara in the Level 1 playoffs on Saturday. Athens is the fourth seed in their bracket while Niagara is #5.