From Underdogs To Champions Badgers Trip To Camp Randall
In a historic moment for the school, Last Friday, the Badger High SchoolsFootball team, under the leadership of Coach Matt Hensler, clinched the Division 2 State Championship, with a final score of 34-33 against the Waunakee Warriors. Over the past 13 weeks, Badger displayed unwavering achievements, securing victories in all nine regular-season games, all four playoff levels, and ultimately, the state championship held at Camp Randall in Madison. The team's triple-option attack strategies during the state championship left an indelible mark, setting a new WIAA State Game record with an impressive total of 451 yards. The community had unwavering support throughout the week, displaying messages wishing the team well, helping where they can, and going to the game selling over 8200 tickets.
Leading up to the start of the game was great, the team practiced, prayed, and got pumped up. The first quarter saw a back-and-forth struggle between the teams, yielding zero points. The second quarter, however, unfolded with excitement for both sides. Waunakee's Running back Sebastian Rasmussen scored a rushing touchdown, and Owen Elliot secured the extra field goal point. With only 8 minutes remaining in the quarter, Badger seized the moment. Landon Nottestad, a fullback, tore through the Warriors' defense with four successful carries, covering an impressive 61-yard gain. Quarterback JP Doyle executed a swift play, securing the touchdown from the 1-yard line. Matt O’Grady's successful field goal leveled the score to 7-7. Despite the Warriors' defense attempts, Badger's offense dominated the field, with nine runs culminating in Doyle's 30-yard touchdown pass to the wide-open Nottestad. O’Grady's extra point attempt failed, allowing the Warriors offense to get ahead. Vance Johnson's 60-yard pass to David Emerich resulted in a touchdown, and a successful field goal put the Warriors in the lead at 14-13.
The second half of the game commenced with 16 run plays and two conversions by Badger. The highlight came when O’Grady received the ball from Doyle and scored a 6-yard touchdown. The Warriors retaliated, with Vance Johnson's 20-yard pass to Robert Booker III. However, the field goal attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 20-19 in favor of the Warriors as they entered the fourth quarter.
The final quarter became an unforgettable chapter in the history books for Badger. Nottestad's 40-yard touchdown run propelled Badger to a 27-20 lead with 8:47remaining. Shortly after, Warriors’ Emerich caught Johnson’s pass for a 36-yard touchdown, tying the game at 27-27. Doyle responded swiftly, running for a 10-yard touchdown, and O’Grady's successful extra point regained the lead for Badger. The Warriors, undeterred, mounted a comeback with Johnson's 24-yard touchdown pass toBooker III. Down by one point, the Warriors opted for a two-point conversion in a bid to tie the game, but it proved unsuccessful. For the Badger defense, that was the moment of victory. The Badgers held strong as the Warriors kicked off, securing possession. The game concluded with a final score of 34-33 in favor of the Badgers, and the elation echoed through Camp Randall as Badger fans celebrated the victory of their team. The Badgers had indeed achieved a remarkable accomplishment.
Check out all the photos from the game below!!!
