Unable to muster much offense against a swarming Waunakee defense, the Waterford Wolverines saw their season end on a 45-0 loss to the two-time defending state champions at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
The Wolverines’ rushing game, normally part of a two-pronged Waterford attack, had -15 yards for the contest. Zach Fisher was 15-for-24 passing for 122 yards, but couldn’t connect on the few times Waterford drove deep into Waunakee territory.
Adam Bakken, in his first year as head coach, stayed positive after the loss.
“They did things differently at the line of scrimmage than what we anticipated,” Bakken said. “They’re the defending three-time-state champs for a reason.
“But our kids showed no quit,” he added. “We never gave up, which is what I wanted to see in the second half. The loss isn’t going to take away what we accomplished this year.”
Check back soon for a slideshow of photos from the game and see the Nov. 25 print edition of the Waterford Post for in-depth coverage of Waterford’s journey to the state title game.
For game highlights, see the the game blog below:
Hi, folks, this is Jennifer Eisenbart online from Camp Randall Stadium, where Waterford (12-1) is about to face off with Waunakee (13-0) for the WIAA Division 2 state title.
As per WIAA regulations, we are not permitted to do a play by play, but we will be updating frequently with highlights and observations. Please refresh often for the latest information.
1:13 p.m. – Waterford receives the opening kickoff – which goes right through the end zone. There is an extremely healthy wind swirling around the stadium, so it’ll be interesting to see how teams react and adjust to it today.
1:20 p.m. – After Waterford is forced to punt, Leo Musso gets running for the Warriors. His last run of the drive is 28 yards for the score, and Waunakee leads, 7-0.
1:34 p.m. – Waterford had a long, sustained drive deep into Waunakee territory, but it stalled, and an incomplete pass means Waterford turns it over on downs.
1:40 p.m. – End of the quarter, and it’s still 7-0. Waunakee has fourth down as we head into the second, and the quarterback fumbles the snap, picks it up and runs. Short of the first down., and Waterford takes over on downs.
1:45 p.m. – waterford three and out, but Steffens’ punt puts Waunakee at its own 31-yard line. But on the second play of the drive, Waterford’s Matt Briggs jumps in front of the intended receiver. Interception, and the Wolverines have the ball back. Just as quickly, Waterford’s Zach Fisher has his pass tipped at the line, picked off by Waunakee’s Max Chamberlin. However, the Warriors get called for an illegal block in the back, so they are way back.
1:52 p.m. – Waunakee moved the ball with ease that time, shredding Waterford’s defense. Max Chamberlin dives in from a yard out, and the extra point gives the Warriors a 14-0 lead.
2:02 p.m. – Another three and out by the Wolverines, and the Warriors get the ball back. A strong dose of the run, but this time the Wolverines manage to track Waunakee’s Musso. The field goal by Jack Russell is good, and it’s 17-0 Waunakee.
2:12 p.m. – Waunakee quarterback Hunter Darger connected on some big passes that last drive, then ran into the end zone. It’s 24-0, and we’re 27 seconds from the half.
2:25 p.m. – If you’re a Waterford fan, this has not been a good half. Right now, Waterford has -10 yards rushing, while Waunakee has 141. Zach Fisher has completed a number of passes for 76 yards, but his Waunakee counterpart has 114 yards passing. Right now, Waunakee has outgained the Wolverines 254-66.
2:42 p.m. – Waterford forces Waunakee to punt after a number of penalties, but the Waunakee punt pins them at their own 13-yard line to start the third quarter.
2:48 p.m. – Waterford’s drive stalled around midfield, and the Warriors take the ball over on downs.
2:53 p.m. – It looked like Waterford had Waunakee stopped, but Musso took the ball on the fake punt and went 41 yards for the score. It’s now 31-0 Waunakee.
3:00 p.m. – It’s now 38-0 and we have a running clock after Waunakee’s Will Helbing scored.
3:05 p.m. – Waterford has been completely unable to run the ball this game, and it’s killed any chance they have of getting the offense going. Credit to Waunakee’s defense, which is stifling – and to the Warriors’ offense, which is every bit as good as billed.
3:10 p.m. – I certainly hope Waunakee’s Leo Musso is close to some sort of Division 2 record, because it’s running clock and all of the Warriors’ starters are still in the game. Musso scores again, this time from 27 yards out, and we’re about to be 45-0.
Final score 45-0.
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