Next we take a look at the WIAA Division 5 Football State Semifinals.
Northwestern vs Stratford @ Chippewa Falls
Watch Live: I Fan TV
Northwestern Tigers
12-0 1st Place Heart O’ North
Playoff Wins: 67-20 over Prescott, 47-20 over Saint Croix Falls, 44-16 over Grantsburg
Losses: None
Northwestern has rolled through the regular season and the playoffs. Their closest game was a 13-point win at D4 Somerset. And they have kept things rolling into the playoffs, though the defense has given up a few more points than they did in the regular season.
The Tigers are led by junior running back Tysen Teal, who has carried the ball 137 times for 1776 yards and 29 touchdowns. Senior Bryer Burkhart has carried the ball 79 times for 756 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Junior quarterback Kamden Kroll has been effective as well, completing 62.5% of his passes for 971 yards, 14 touchdowns, and just 2 interceptions. His primary target has been Ethan Harms, who has caught 29 passes for 553 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Stratford Tigers
10-2 1st place CWC-Large
Playoff Wins: 41-9 over Richland Center, 28-21 over Prairie du Chien, and 29-0 over Tomahawk.
Losses: 26-19 @ Mosinee, 14-0 vs Edgar
The Stratford Tigers took a couple of tough losses early in the season, thanks to a plethora of injuries, losing to D4 Mosinee and rival Edgar. Since those two losses, Stratford has rattled off 10 wins in a row, including a 34-21 win over previously unbeaten Amherst.
Stratford is led by senior quarterback Brady Berg, who has thrown for 1549 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. His primary target has been Coltan Breit, who has caught 31 passes for 708 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Brooks Vanderhoof has led a strong stable of running backs, rushing for 1044 yards and 11 touchdowns in limited action this season. Aaron Knetter and Kotan Haupt got a lot of carries in Vanderhoof’s absence, Knetter rushing for 453 yards and 3 touchdowns, and Haupt rushing for 348 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Mayville vs Lake Country Lutheran @ Slinger
Live Stream: Radio Plus Sports
Mayville Cardinals
12-0, 1st place Flyway Conference
Playoff Wins: 41-0 over Chilton, 28-21 over Winnebago Lutheran, 26-21 over Amherst.
Losses: None
Mayville has been on a roll this season and is looking to get to the WIAA Division 5 State Championship game after coming up short in the Division 4 Sectional Final last year.
Mayville is led by senior running back Landen Baker, who has rushed for 1556 yards and 22 touchdowns. Sophomore Tanner Schreider and junior Joe Pomersberger will also get carries, with Schneider rushing for 689 yards and 8 touchdowns, and Pomersberger rushing for 649 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The Cardinals have not had a need to put the ball in the air much, only throwing 35 passes, but senior quarterback Emerson Mittelstadt has completed 21 of those for 361 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.
Lake Country Lutheran Lightning
11-1 T-1st Metro Classic Conference
Playoff Wins: 42-6 over Kiel, 35-14 over Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 34-21 over New Glarus
Losses: 28-6 @ Racine St. Catherine’s
The Lake Country Lutheran Lightning from Hartford are looking to get back to the WIAA Division 5 state championship game for the first time since winning the title over Stratford in 2019.
The Lightning is led by a prolific passing game, with senior quarterback Connor Lubbers completing 60.2% of his passes for 1556 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. His primary targets have been Ethan Hans, who has caught 44 passes for 526 yards and 7 touchdowns, and Parker Baranyk, who has caught 24 passes for 526 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Nathan Graf leads the rushing attack, with 626 yards and 9 touchdowns. Quarterback Connor Lubbers has run for 540 yards and 12 touchdowns.
