At a glance
What: WIAA Division 7 state championship
When: 10 a.m. Thursday
Where: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison
Last Game: Bangor defeated Abbotsford 30-7; Black Hawk defeated Fall River 56-8
NOTES:
Bangor and Black Hawk were ranked 2-3 in the final Division 7 WisSports.net Coaches Poll.
Black Hawk won its only state championship in 2013; Bangor won its only state championship in 2015.
School enrollment: Bangor 180, Black Hawk 107 (smallest in state)
2-point conversions: Bangor 39, Black Hawk 53
Black Hawk:
• Three players had brothers who played on 2013 state championship team: Kyle Lovelace (Brett), Mitchell Quinn (Jacob), Jett and Jaylen Rufenacht (Jayden)
• Two RBs have rushed for a combined 3,000 yards - Brody Milz (1,568 yards, 27 TDs) and Colby Argall (1,432, 25 TDs)
• Defense has forced an average of 3.4 turnovers per game
• Offensively pass just 15.5 percent of the time (17:3 run-pass ratio)
Bangor:
• Captured Division 7 gold ball in 2015 with 20-14 win over Pepin-Alma
• RB Luke Reader has rushed for 1,697 yards and 29 touchdowns
• QB Drew Johnson has passed for 703 yards with 14 TDs and has rushed for 622 yards and 11 TDs
• Run a double-wing offense, at times use shotgun
• Pass on just 8.2 percent of offensive plays (23:2 run-pass ratio)
SOUTH WAYNE - Whether Black Hawk wins the school's second state championship with a perfect season or not, the Warriors have already had a storybook run.
The cliffhanger for Black Hawk will come in a WIAA Division 7 state championship game showdown with Bangor at 10 a.m. Thursday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. With a win, Black Hawk (13-0) can clinch a state title for the second time in the past five years. Black Hawk last won a state championship in 2013.
"It's always been a dream for me, my classmates and team," Black Hawk senior Brody Milz said. "It's a great accomplishment for us."
Having his father, Cory Milz, also serving as Black Hawk's head coach makes a memorable moment even more special.
"It's kind of emotional knowing this will be my last high school football game ever," he said. "For us, it's something we have been chasing. It's surreal to have my dad with me."
Black Hawk junior running back Colby Argall looks forward to running onto Camp Randall and playing in the state title game.
"We are very excited to get up there and play for a gold ball," Argall said. "It's something a lot of kids don't get to do. We are fortunate we get to be there and have the opportunity."
Bangor (13-0), the Scenic Bluffs Conference champion, has been to the state title game two of the past three years. Two years ago, the Cardinals finished as the state runner-up. Last year, Edgar knocked off Bangor 29-6 in a Division 7 state semifinal game.
"I don't think anyone is surprised at all that they (Bangor) are in the state championship game," Cory Milz said. "As a coach, you watch them (Bangor) on film and you look to try to find some weaknesses. There are no weaknesses. They are the real deal. I think some people may be surprised we are there. I think we are going in as the underdogs and I like that."
Bangor senior running back Luke Reader has rushed for 1,697 yards and 29 touchdowns. He's averaging 130.5 yards per game and 8.4 yards per carry. The Cardinals run a double-tight offense that features a lot of power running and at times will spread opponents out in a shotgun formation. Bangor is averaging 49.8 points per game and 346.9 rushing yards per game.
"They have a great athlete in Luke Reader who can do just about anything. They are very big. It will be a challenge," Cory Milz said.
Bangor quarterback Drew Johnson has passed for 703 yards with 14 TDs and three interceptions. He also has rushed for 622 yards and 11 TDs.
"They have a very good quarterback," Cory Milz said. "They are tall and athletic."
The Warriors' defense has been stout all season with three shutouts and is giving up just 8.2 points per game. Brody Milz, the team's leading tackler at linebacker, spearheads the defense with 143 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss.
Senior defensive end Jett Rufenacht made the switch from defensive back to defensive end this season and he has a team-high nine sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
"We knew coming into the year we had to be a good sound defense," Rufenacht said. "It's no surprise that we are a defensively sound team. I would say the key to our defense is working to stop the run. In our conference, the majority of the teams run the ball. Being an aggressive defense is what we want to have. Even if we are over aggressive we can still stop them for two yards or under."
If it comes down to creating a pass rush and forcing turnovers, Rufenacht likes the Warriors' chances.
"It's like our coach always says, 'Defense wins championships,'" he said. "I always like working on my pass rush. If our defensive backs play good than it gives us more time to get to sack the quarterback and force a turnover."
The Warriors have forced 45 turnovers this season, an average of 3.4 per game. Black Hawk senior defensive back Michael Flanagan has a team-best six interceptions and Jason Treuthardt and Jaylen Rufenacht each have four interceptions.
"It's all in our heart and hustle and our love for the game," Milz said. "We just want to go out and play fast and physical."
Black Hawk's split-back veer triple option offense has been a juggernaut averaging 51.3 points per game. The Warriors are led by running backs Brody Milz and Argall. Milz has rushed for a team-high 1,568 yards and has 27 TDs this year, while Argall has racked up 1,432 rushing yards and 25 scores. The Warriors are averaging 346.4 rushing yards per game.
Flanagan has had a solid connection with Jett Rufenacht at wide receiver. Rufenacht has 23 receptions for 552 yards and eight touchdowns.
"I've been playing with Jett for five years and three years on varsity," Flanagan said. "He's been my favorite target. When I can put it up in an area where he can get it, he's bound to come down with it."
Flanagan is excited to play on the field at Camp Randall Stadium for his final prep game.
"It hasn't all sunk in yet," he said. "I can't wait. I'm super excited."
When the Warriors come out of the tunnel and take the field at Camp Randall, Jett Rufenacht is not sure how he will react.
"It's the first time I have ever played at Camp Randall," he said. "I don't think I will be nervous. I will definitely have butterflies and a pain in my stomach. I believe I can do whatever it takes to help the team."
The cliffhanger for Black Hawk will come in a WIAA Division 7 state championship game showdown with Bangor at 10 a.m. Thursday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. With a win, Black Hawk (13-0) can clinch a state title for the second time in the past five years. Black Hawk last won a state championship in 2013.
"It's always been a dream for me, my classmates and team," Black Hawk senior Brody Milz said. "It's a great accomplishment for us."
Having his father, Cory Milz, also serving as Black Hawk's head coach makes a memorable moment even more special.
"It's kind of emotional knowing this will be my last high school football game ever," he said. "For us, it's something we have been chasing. It's surreal to have my dad with me."
Black Hawk junior running back Colby Argall looks forward to running onto Camp Randall and playing in the state title game.
"We are very excited to get up there and play for a gold ball," Argall said. "It's something a lot of kids don't get to do. We are fortunate we get to be there and have the opportunity."
Bangor (13-0), the Scenic Bluffs Conference champion, has been to the state title game two of the past three years. Two years ago, the Cardinals finished as the state runner-up. Last year, Edgar knocked off Bangor 29-6 in a Division 7 state semifinal game.
"I don't think anyone is surprised at all that they (Bangor) are in the state championship game," Cory Milz said. "As a coach, you watch them (Bangor) on film and you look to try to find some weaknesses. There are no weaknesses. They are the real deal. I think some people may be surprised we are there. I think we are going in as the underdogs and I like that."
Bangor senior running back Luke Reader has rushed for 1,697 yards and 29 touchdowns. He's averaging 130.5 yards per game and 8.4 yards per carry. The Cardinals run a double-tight offense that features a lot of power running and at times will spread opponents out in a shotgun formation. Bangor is averaging 49.8 points per game and 346.9 rushing yards per game.
"They have a great athlete in Luke Reader who can do just about anything. They are very big. It will be a challenge," Cory Milz said.
Bangor quarterback Drew Johnson has passed for 703 yards with 14 TDs and three interceptions. He also has rushed for 622 yards and 11 TDs.
"They have a very good quarterback," Cory Milz said. "They are tall and athletic."
The Warriors' defense has been stout all season with three shutouts and is giving up just 8.2 points per game. Brody Milz, the team's leading tackler at linebacker, spearheads the defense with 143 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss.
Senior defensive end Jett Rufenacht made the switch from defensive back to defensive end this season and he has a team-high nine sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
"We knew coming into the year we had to be a good sound defense," Rufenacht said. "It's no surprise that we are a defensively sound team. I would say the key to our defense is working to stop the run. In our conference, the majority of the teams run the ball. Being an aggressive defense is what we want to have. Even if we are over aggressive we can still stop them for two yards or under."
If it comes down to creating a pass rush and forcing turnovers, Rufenacht likes the Warriors' chances.
"It's like our coach always says, 'Defense wins championships,'" he said. "I always like working on my pass rush. If our defensive backs play good than it gives us more time to get to sack the quarterback and force a turnover."
The Warriors have forced 45 turnovers this season, an average of 3.4 per game. Black Hawk senior defensive back Michael Flanagan has a team-best six interceptions and Jason Treuthardt and Jaylen Rufenacht each have four interceptions.
"It's all in our heart and hustle and our love for the game," Milz said. "We just want to go out and play fast and physical."
Black Hawk's split-back veer triple option offense has been a juggernaut averaging 51.3 points per game. The Warriors are led by running backs Brody Milz and Argall. Milz has rushed for a team-high 1,568 yards and has 27 TDs this year, while Argall has racked up 1,432 rushing yards and 25 scores. The Warriors are averaging 346.4 rushing yards per game.
Flanagan has had a solid connection with Jett Rufenacht at wide receiver. Rufenacht has 23 receptions for 552 yards and eight touchdowns.
"I've been playing with Jett for five years and three years on varsity," Flanagan said. "He's been my favorite target. When I can put it up in an area where he can get it, he's bound to come down with it."
Flanagan is excited to play on the field at Camp Randall Stadium for his final prep game.
"It hasn't all sunk in yet," he said. "I can't wait. I'm super excited."
When the Warriors come out of the tunnel and take the field at Camp Randall, Jett Rufenacht is not sure how he will react.
"It's the first time I have ever played at Camp Randall," he said. "I don't think I will be nervous. I will definitely have butterflies and a pain in my stomach. I believe I can do whatever it takes to help the team."
