DARLINGTON - Some of the faces and numbers on the backs of jerseys may be different, but it's a rematch in the WIAA Division 6 state championship game Thursday when Darlington takes on Fond du Lac St. Mary's Springs at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
"It's an accomplishment not many people get to obtain in a lifetime," Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said. "For some of these kids, it's their third trip there. If we lose it won't define our season. These kids have earned the respect of their community by how they have carried themselves on a daily basis."
Darlington (13-0), ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press small school state poll, is looking to win a gold ball for the first time since 1995 and finish with an unbeaten season. Darlington has capped its season as the state runner-up the past two years.
"It's a special run," Zywicki said of the three straight trips to the Division 6 state championship game. "You have to have the kids to be able to do this. This year's group exceeded my expectations. It's a tribute to the kids for how hard they worked in the offseason."
Defending state champion St. Mary's Springs, which has played in the state title game six of the past seven years, is led by longtime coach Bob Hyland.
"He's a Hall of Fame coach with good kids and talent to work with," Zywicki said. "It's a deadly combination."
How did they
get here
St. Mary's Springs: The Ledgers routed Shiocton 41-6 in a first-round playoff game. St. Mary's Springs then edged Iola-Scandinavia 28-21 in a thriller in the second round. In the state quarterfinals, the Ledgers beat Edgar 14-6 and, in the state semifinals, they rolled to a 34-7 win over Grantsburg.
Darlington: The Redbirds rolled to a 42-0 win over Pardeeville in the first round and blasted Mineral Point 55-28 in the second round. The Redbirds outlasted Cambridge 28-7 in a state quarterfinal and thumped Melrose-Mindoro 42-12 in a state semifinal.
Did You Know?
St. Mary's Springs: The Ledgers' kicker last year, Zach Hintze, is on the University of Wisconsin football team. Hintze booted three field goals, including a Division 6 state record 49-yarder late in the second quarter of the Ledgers' 37-28 win over the Redbirds in the state title game last season.
Darlington: The Redbirds had a run of playing in six state championships over seven years in the 1990s, which included winning state titles in 1990, '91 and '95. The Redbirds are seeking their fifth state title. Darlington beat St. Mary's Springs 28-13 in the state semifinals in 2013 to end the Ledgers' 39-game winning streak.
On offense
St. Mary's Springs: The Ledgers run a veer-option-based offense. The Ledgers are led by junior running back Fintan Floyd, who has rushed for 1,383 yards and 23 TDs, and junior quarterback Blake Bauer, who has passed for 1,507 yards with 12 TDs and five interceptions.
"It's a monstrous challenge to hold them in check," Zywicki said. "They are very explosive. They have the linemen to run the veer and option. They want to bury you before you can take a good first step."
The Ledgers hit the Redbirds with some big plays to start last year's state championship game. Bauer had a 1-yard TD run to cap a 12-play, 63-yard drive. The Ledgers tacked onto their lead, capping a four-play, 85-yard drive, with Spranger's 1-yard TD run. About midway through the second quarter, Bauer tossed a pass to Collin Ottery, who completed the hook-and-ladder pitch to Mark Austin for an 11-yard TD pass and a 21-0 lead.
"It didn't come down to what we did or didn't do," Zywicki said of last year's state title game. "They just had kids faster than our defense. They will force our kids into one-on-one coverage. They will run either an out and up. They will put your kids on an island are your kids as good. We will find out."
Darlington: The Redbirds' wing-T offense is averaging 374 rushing yards per game. Darlington junior running back Hunter Johnson, a first-team all-state running back has rushed for 2,246 yards and 40 TDs. The Redbirds have three running backs with more than 1,000 yards for the third straight year.
"We will earn every inch and yard we get," Zywicki said.
Darlington junior quarterback Jared Meister has passed for 843 yards and 11 TDs and five interceptions this year. He hasn't been forced to have to win a game for the Redbirds, but Meister has proven capable of making big plays. He completed 5 of 7 passes for 150 yards and two TDs in a 42-12 state semifinal win over Melrose-Mindoro.
In the past two state title games, the Redbirds dug a hole early on. Last year against St. Mary's Springs, Darlington trailed 21-0 before scoring three touchdowns in 1 minute, 46 seconds.
"The key for us is doing our assignments and playing loose and not panicking," Hunter Johnson said. "We have to start out hot and not slow like we have the last two years. Hopefully, we can then bring home the gold ball."
On defense
St. Mary's Springs: The Ledgers play an aggressive attacking defense that relies on the blitz and shooting gaps. St. Mary's Springs linebacker Clay Schuettner leads the defense with 121 tackles and 16 tackles for loss. Junior defensive tackle Michael Buetow at 265 pounds helps plug up the middle with 55 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and four sacks. Blake Ottery, at defensive end, leads the team with seven sacks.
The blitz could open up big plays in the passing game for Meister.
"If we are going to win the game, he will have to be solid," Zywicki said of Meister. "He will have to take care of the ball and make good reads. When there is an opportunity to make a throw he will have to make a play."
Darlington: The Redbirds have forced 36 turnovers this year, an average of 2.7 per game.
Zywicki understands it will all start in the trenches.
"We will No. 1 have to stop the run," he said. "They will test the interior of our defense to see if we can hold up to powers, isos and traps. They will test the perimeter with the option."
Darlington junior Hayden Hardyman leads the Redbirds' defense with 82 tackles, one interception, one sack and four fumble recoveries this year. Junior middle linebacker Jesse Sturtz has 69 tackles, and Meister has 63 tackles.
Darlington senior Taylor Evenstad leads the team with four sacks. Junior defensive back Brayden McDonald has a team-high nine interceptions, and Trevor Johnson has six interceptions.
Prediction
This has the makings of one of the more exciting state championship games. Darlington will not get off to a slow start this year. This is the Redbirds' year to finish with an unbeaten season and a gold ball.
Darlington 28
St. Mary's Springs 24
"It's an accomplishment not many people get to obtain in a lifetime," Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said. "For some of these kids, it's their third trip there. If we lose it won't define our season. These kids have earned the respect of their community by how they have carried themselves on a daily basis."
Darlington (13-0), ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press small school state poll, is looking to win a gold ball for the first time since 1995 and finish with an unbeaten season. Darlington has capped its season as the state runner-up the past two years.
"It's a special run," Zywicki said of the three straight trips to the Division 6 state championship game. "You have to have the kids to be able to do this. This year's group exceeded my expectations. It's a tribute to the kids for how hard they worked in the offseason."
Defending state champion St. Mary's Springs, which has played in the state title game six of the past seven years, is led by longtime coach Bob Hyland.
"He's a Hall of Fame coach with good kids and talent to work with," Zywicki said. "It's a deadly combination."
How did they
get here
St. Mary's Springs: The Ledgers routed Shiocton 41-6 in a first-round playoff game. St. Mary's Springs then edged Iola-Scandinavia 28-21 in a thriller in the second round. In the state quarterfinals, the Ledgers beat Edgar 14-6 and, in the state semifinals, they rolled to a 34-7 win over Grantsburg.
Darlington: The Redbirds rolled to a 42-0 win over Pardeeville in the first round and blasted Mineral Point 55-28 in the second round. The Redbirds outlasted Cambridge 28-7 in a state quarterfinal and thumped Melrose-Mindoro 42-12 in a state semifinal.
Did You Know?
St. Mary's Springs: The Ledgers' kicker last year, Zach Hintze, is on the University of Wisconsin football team. Hintze booted three field goals, including a Division 6 state record 49-yarder late in the second quarter of the Ledgers' 37-28 win over the Redbirds in the state title game last season.
Darlington: The Redbirds had a run of playing in six state championships over seven years in the 1990s, which included winning state titles in 1990, '91 and '95. The Redbirds are seeking their fifth state title. Darlington beat St. Mary's Springs 28-13 in the state semifinals in 2013 to end the Ledgers' 39-game winning streak.
On offense
St. Mary's Springs: The Ledgers run a veer-option-based offense. The Ledgers are led by junior running back Fintan Floyd, who has rushed for 1,383 yards and 23 TDs, and junior quarterback Blake Bauer, who has passed for 1,507 yards with 12 TDs and five interceptions.
"It's a monstrous challenge to hold them in check," Zywicki said. "They are very explosive. They have the linemen to run the veer and option. They want to bury you before you can take a good first step."
The Ledgers hit the Redbirds with some big plays to start last year's state championship game. Bauer had a 1-yard TD run to cap a 12-play, 63-yard drive. The Ledgers tacked onto their lead, capping a four-play, 85-yard drive, with Spranger's 1-yard TD run. About midway through the second quarter, Bauer tossed a pass to Collin Ottery, who completed the hook-and-ladder pitch to Mark Austin for an 11-yard TD pass and a 21-0 lead.
"It didn't come down to what we did or didn't do," Zywicki said of last year's state title game. "They just had kids faster than our defense. They will force our kids into one-on-one coverage. They will run either an out and up. They will put your kids on an island are your kids as good. We will find out."
Darlington: The Redbirds' wing-T offense is averaging 374 rushing yards per game. Darlington junior running back Hunter Johnson, a first-team all-state running back has rushed for 2,246 yards and 40 TDs. The Redbirds have three running backs with more than 1,000 yards for the third straight year.
"We will earn every inch and yard we get," Zywicki said.
Darlington junior quarterback Jared Meister has passed for 843 yards and 11 TDs and five interceptions this year. He hasn't been forced to have to win a game for the Redbirds, but Meister has proven capable of making big plays. He completed 5 of 7 passes for 150 yards and two TDs in a 42-12 state semifinal win over Melrose-Mindoro.
In the past two state title games, the Redbirds dug a hole early on. Last year against St. Mary's Springs, Darlington trailed 21-0 before scoring three touchdowns in 1 minute, 46 seconds.
"The key for us is doing our assignments and playing loose and not panicking," Hunter Johnson said. "We have to start out hot and not slow like we have the last two years. Hopefully, we can then bring home the gold ball."
On defense
St. Mary's Springs: The Ledgers play an aggressive attacking defense that relies on the blitz and shooting gaps. St. Mary's Springs linebacker Clay Schuettner leads the defense with 121 tackles and 16 tackles for loss. Junior defensive tackle Michael Buetow at 265 pounds helps plug up the middle with 55 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and four sacks. Blake Ottery, at defensive end, leads the team with seven sacks.
The blitz could open up big plays in the passing game for Meister.
"If we are going to win the game, he will have to be solid," Zywicki said of Meister. "He will have to take care of the ball and make good reads. When there is an opportunity to make a throw he will have to make a play."
Darlington: The Redbirds have forced 36 turnovers this year, an average of 2.7 per game.
Zywicki understands it will all start in the trenches.
"We will No. 1 have to stop the run," he said. "They will test the interior of our defense to see if we can hold up to powers, isos and traps. They will test the perimeter with the option."
Darlington junior Hayden Hardyman leads the Redbirds' defense with 82 tackles, one interception, one sack and four fumble recoveries this year. Junior middle linebacker Jesse Sturtz has 69 tackles, and Meister has 63 tackles.
Darlington senior Taylor Evenstad leads the team with four sacks. Junior defensive back Brayden McDonald has a team-high nine interceptions, and Trevor Johnson has six interceptions.
Prediction
This has the makings of one of the more exciting state championship games. Darlington will not get off to a slow start this year. This is the Redbirds' year to finish with an unbeaten season and a gold ball.
Darlington 28
St. Mary's Springs 24
