The Owen-Withee Blackhawk Football team traveled to Alma Center Lincoln for a big North Central East Conference showdown last Friday night. Both teams sported identical 3-2 records and were looking to take a big step in the new Play-off matrix that was implemented by the WIAA for the 2025 season. Points are accumulated in a number of ways in the new matrix, but one of the most important ways, is to beat a team with a large number of wins. The top 32 teams in point totals make the play-offs and are seeded accordingly in the four 8-team brackets.
For the second week in a row the Hawks were going to have to defend the pass as the Hornets were averaging over 250 yards/game through the air and to make it even tougher on the defense they have a quarterback that is looking to break contain and take off running. The defense was immediately put to the test as the Hornets won the toss and elected to receive. A well-placed kick by Winston Poehler and some good coverage by Talon Mueller and Will Simenson pinned the Hornets just inside their 15-yardline. After converting on a big third down play the Hornets drove down deep inside Blackhawk territory only to be stopped by Talon Mueller on a nice open field tackle on 4th down to turn the ball over to the Hawks. The Blackhawk offense took over and did what they do best—run the ball, control the LOS, and set the tempo of the game by going on a 14-play drive that ended with a Talon Mueller three yard run to make the score 6-0 after the failed two point conversion. The Hornets answered the Blackhawk score with a nice drive of their own capped off by a 4-yard scramble by the QB to knot the score at 6-6.
Clay Mueller took the ensuing kick-off and wove his way through the Hornet kick-off team for a big 74-yard return. A block in the back brought the ball back out to the 40 yardline but on the first play from scrimmage Clay broke free on an off-tackle play for the 40-yard touchdown run and a 12-6 Blackhawk advantage. After the Blackhawk’s defense forced a punt, the offense took over deep in its own territory and moved the ball out to the 50 yardline where the Hawks were facing a fourth and seven. What followed was maybe the play of the game when Clay Mueller ran a punt fake trap and went into the endzone untouched to put the Hawks up 20-6 at the half.
The Hornets tacked on a score in a third quarter on a 12-yard touchdown pass to tighten the score to 20-14. And just when you thought the Hawks offense was going to put the nail in the coffin a costly penalty or mistake would give the Hornets new life! Thank goodness for some solid defensive play, most notably Winston Poehler and the tenacious pass rush by the Hawks front three, along with some good coverage, the Hawks came away with a hard fought 20-14 win!
The Blackhawks will take on Lake Holcombe this Friday night at home with a 7:00 kick-off. It will be Senior Night as the Blackhawk Football Family will recognize their three Seniors in Jack Wendler, Sam Wells, and Winston Poehler. Come out and be a part of High School at its best!