Stratford (13-1) edged Darlington (12-2) 10-7 with a 32-yard field goal on an untimed play to win the Division 6 State championship.
Laurenz Plattner, who had a 24-yard field goal attempt blocked with 23 seconds to play in the game, made good on his second opportunity. On the third play of the ensuing Redbirds’ drive following the blocked field goal, the Tigers recovered of fumble and returned it to the Darlington 25-yard line with six seconds remaining. A defensive penalty moved the ball to the Darlington 15-yard line to set up Plattner’s heroics on the final play of the game. It was his first successful field goal of the season.
After a scoreless first quarter, Darlington started the scoring on a Reagan Jackson 5-yard run up the middle with 5:01 remaining in the first half. The Redbirds held the 7-0 advantage until Koehler Kilty sprinted nine yards to the right edge of the end zone to tie the game at 7-7.
The events the led to the late-game dramatics was set up by a 22-play, 85-yard drive that consumed 11:27 of the fourth quarter, which set Division 5 records for the most plays and time elapsed in a drive.
The defensive struggle was reflected in the score and total yardage in the game. Stratford outgained Darlington 195-102 in total offense. Kilty led all ball carriers with 85 yards on 25 carries. Jack Tubbs gained 45 yards rushing and completed 5-of-7 passes for 44 yards. Gavin Leonhardt and Jett Schoenherr each had three catches for 23 and 21 yards, respectively. Stratford was led on defense by Alec Chapel and Leonhardt with eight tackles apiece. Chapel also recovered the fumble forced by Cole Tichy late in the game to set-up the game winning scenario.
Reagan Jackson led the Redbirds on offense with 43 yards rushing. Breylin Goebel rushed for 33 yards and was 0-for-2 passing in the game. Jackson and Talan Crist led the defense with nine tackles apiece.
Stratford wins the championship for the second straight season and for the ninth time in the program’s history, which ties St. Mary’s Springs for the most titles among the membership. The Tigers have now played in 11 championship games. Darlington finishes runner-up in its 13th State experience.
The above story is from a Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association news release
