NUIC Playoff Recap

By Al Zipsie

The only unbeaten teams left in the NUIC. Lena-Winslow the North champion and the South champion Aquin collide in the 1A semifinal Saturday in Lena. Both are 11-0. They did not meet in the regular season.

Orangeville ran into the Lena-Winslow buzz saw Saturday and fell 52-8 to finish their solid season at 7-4. Running back Garret Rodebaugh finished his career as the Orangeville all-time leading rusher with 3,534 yards. The Broncos play down the fact they are the smallest 1A school in the state. The Panthers were led by Sean Ormiston with 202 yards and two long touchdown runs of 87 and 63 yards. Jack Setterstrom added 115 yards rushing a pair of touchdowns. Marey Roby had two touchdowns and an interception.

Aquin escaped from a battle with Stockton to win the second-round game Saturday 27-18. The Bulldogs trailed 18-14 at halftime before shutting out the Blackhawks in the second half for the win. Aquin's quarterback Will Gustafson passed for 156 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for 67 yards. Brennan Carlson caught four passes for 111 yards including touchdown passes of 10 and 44 yards. For Stockton, the NUIC's leading rusher Jason Hermann had 176 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Forreston fell to the top seed in the North in unbeaten Kewanee Wethersfield 30-26. The Cardinals trailed 18-0 at halftime before battling back. Forreston clicked off 20 unanswered points to grab a 20-18 lead with 2:30 left in the third quarter. Ann-Weth and Forreston then were in a see-saw battle. Weathersfield took a 24-20 lead with 57 seconds left in the third quarter. Forreston then surged ahead at 26-20 with 5:32 left in the fourth quarter on a one-yard quarterback keeper from Brady Cullor. Then A-W took the lead for good and held on scoring with 3:20 left in the game. The Cardinals then were driving for the win before an interception sealed the win for Ann-Weth at their own 14-yard line. For the Cardinals Austin Mitchell had 124 yards rushing including a 78 yard TD which gave Forreston their first lead.

Du/Pec had their best season as a Coop finishing 7-4. They lost to Byron in 3A 42-14. The Rivermen came out in a rotation of three quarterbacks including the usual starter sophomore Hunter Hoffman who was slowed by an injury, Ty Howard and Trenton Taylor. That worked to give them a 7-6 lead before the powerful Tigers came roaring back. Hoffman ended up passing for 104 yards and two touchdowns.

Blackhawk/Warren Coop won their Wisconsin Division 7 quarterfinal over Ridge WI 49-7. Now, 12-0 they play in the semi-finals.

In 8 man football, a semi-final of local teams is this weekend as River Ridge plays Polo Friday at 7 p.m. Both moved from 11 to 8 man football this season. River Ridge won 42-20 over Scharlman Academy. Polo now 10-0 easily won 50-16. It guarantees an area team in the 8 man Championship.

Other playoff games from Stateline teams. 1A. Morrison 44-Kirkland Hiawatha 12. Hiawatha goes to 8 man football next season. 2A. Sterling Newman 21-Gibson City/Melvin/Sibley 6. 4A. Stillman Valley was eliminated by Elmhurst IC Catholic 35-14. Richmond Burton beat Marengo 49-7 and Wheaton St Francis defeated Genoa-Kingston 21-12. 5A. Boylan remains the only team from the NIC-10 left as they beat Aurora Marmion Academy 38-6. Sycamore edged Lombard Montini 16-13 in overtime. Chicago St Rita shutout Sterling 32-0. In 7A Hononegah's season was ended by Batavia 48-0.

Stateline Sports Hub. NUIC Rankings. Final rankings.

Lena-Winslow. 11-0.
Aquin. 11-0.
Forreston. 8-3.
Du/Pec. 7-4.
Stockton. 7-4.
Orangeville. 7-4.
West Carroll. 5-5.
E/PC. 4-5.
Dakota. 4-5.
Galena. 2-7.

In NUIC volleyball Dakota lost to Newark the defending state champion in the Super-Sectional. Dakota had beat Galena last year's state runner up in the Sectional championship. Dakota finished 35-6.