WATERTOWN - Darlington's dream season had a nightmare ending.
After winning their first 13 games this season, the Redbirds were outplayed and defeated by three scores, 35-14, against Brillion Saturday in a WIAA Division 5 state semifinal game.
"It's a nightmare because it (state) is right there, it's right in your hands," Darlington senior quarterback Alex Erickson said. "To come here and play for a chance at state ... we tried our hardest and that's all we could do."
Before the game even started, Darlington lost defensive ends Zach Brown and Mitchell Langkamp to shoulder injuries, though Langkamp played in parts in the second half. Darlington head coach Scott Zywicki wasn't making any excuses, though.
"(Brillion) controlled both lines all day - offensively and defensively. The better team is most definitely going on to state," Zywicki said. "I don't want to use (the injuries) as an excuse, because obviously one player was not going to make the difference. Their players - plural - handled us. Obviously it would have helped to have those kids back, but you just go on."
Brillion used a 21-point second quarter to put Darlington on its heels at the break. A 13-play, 80-yard drive that eclipsed 5 minutes, 46 second that covered the end of the first quarter and opening minute of the second gave the Lions a 7-0 lead. Brillion's senior quarterback Will Jensen used a quarterback sneak from the inch line to give his team an advantage that they would never give up.
Throughout the season, Darlington (12-1) has found a way to respond to such adversity. But on the Redbirds' second play of the ensuing drive, quarterback Alex Erickson's pass into the heavy wind was behind wide out Tucker Wiegel. Wiegel did his best to reel in the pass, but the ball skipped through his hands and into the arms of Jenson.
"We weren't able to run with consistency and the wind plays a huge factor - now you're basically relegated to a half a game that can only throw the ball," Zywicki said.
Brillion (13-0) opened their lead moments later on a 36-yard strike from Jenson to Levi Krizenesky.
"That didn't sink us, but it certainly didn't help us any," Darlington senior linebacker Colton Hackett said.
Brillion averaged under three pass plays a game, but had two scores on three passes through the air against the Redbirds. Jenson connected with James Van Thiel with 5 seconds left in the first half on a slant, giving the Lions a 21-0 advantage at the break.
"The first one was a blown coverage. All he had to do was knock the ball down or stay with his kid. But we had multiple mistakes and that one play didn't make the difference both (touchdowns) were killers," Zywicki said. "That second one was obviously a huge psychological boost for them. We came back from 14-down last week (against Brillion), but that third touchdown was monumental."
Erickson did his best to keep his season alive, returning the opening kickoff of the second half 90 yards to the Brillion 7-yard line. Three plays later, Erickson's QB dive up the middle put the Redbirds on the board.
"We weren't going to give up. We worked too hard to give up," Erickson said. "They (Brillion) wanted it. They deserved to win that game with the way they played. We tried to fight back but just didn't have enough."
Not to be outdone, Brillion countered with a five-play, 66-yard drive that culminated with a 21-yard scamper into the end zone by Justin Ziemer. The Lions' final TD came with 6:18 left in the fourth quarter when Taylor Behnke rumbled in from 10 yards out.
Darlington's final score came just moments later when Erickson connected with Tommy Notter on a 56-yard catch and run with 5:22 left. Brillion managed to run out the clock to end the game.
Erickson, who ran for over 1,110 yards and threw for more than 1,200 in this his senior year, was held to just 61 yards on the ground on 16 carries and 89 yards through the air on 4 of 8 passing.
"We came out flat last week and we came out flat again this week and just never overcame it," Hackett said. "Brillion is a great team with a bunch of great athletes. They work hard and their a classy team, too. They play clean. They definitely out-played us today."
The Redbirds had hoped this was the season the program would make the leap back to state for a shot at it's sixth state title.
"These kids that we have are just classy people. They are classy in the classroom and in the community. They are a great bunch to work with. They will be sorely missed because of their leadership and because they do all of the right things," Zywicki said. "(The seniors) are going to leave a great legacy for the other kids to follow. Work ethic and leadership over the last two years is just outstanding. Hopefully these younger kids can emulate the same attitude and work ethic."
Instead it will be Brillion that will move on to face undefeated Colby for the rights at the gold ball. Brillion lost to Arcadia in last year's state semifinal game, and Darlington knocked off Arcadia in Level 3 this season.
"This was a success," Erickson said of Darlington's season. "It's hard to say that now that we lost, but I couldn't be more proud of these guys. It was so fun."
After winning their first 13 games this season, the Redbirds were outplayed and defeated by three scores, 35-14, against Brillion Saturday in a WIAA Division 5 state semifinal game.
"It's a nightmare because it (state) is right there, it's right in your hands," Darlington senior quarterback Alex Erickson said. "To come here and play for a chance at state ... we tried our hardest and that's all we could do."
Before the game even started, Darlington lost defensive ends Zach Brown and Mitchell Langkamp to shoulder injuries, though Langkamp played in parts in the second half. Darlington head coach Scott Zywicki wasn't making any excuses, though.
"(Brillion) controlled both lines all day - offensively and defensively. The better team is most definitely going on to state," Zywicki said. "I don't want to use (the injuries) as an excuse, because obviously one player was not going to make the difference. Their players - plural - handled us. Obviously it would have helped to have those kids back, but you just go on."
Brillion used a 21-point second quarter to put Darlington on its heels at the break. A 13-play, 80-yard drive that eclipsed 5 minutes, 46 second that covered the end of the first quarter and opening minute of the second gave the Lions a 7-0 lead. Brillion's senior quarterback Will Jensen used a quarterback sneak from the inch line to give his team an advantage that they would never give up.
Throughout the season, Darlington (12-1) has found a way to respond to such adversity. But on the Redbirds' second play of the ensuing drive, quarterback Alex Erickson's pass into the heavy wind was behind wide out Tucker Wiegel. Wiegel did his best to reel in the pass, but the ball skipped through his hands and into the arms of Jenson.
"We weren't able to run with consistency and the wind plays a huge factor - now you're basically relegated to a half a game that can only throw the ball," Zywicki said.
Brillion (13-0) opened their lead moments later on a 36-yard strike from Jenson to Levi Krizenesky.
"That didn't sink us, but it certainly didn't help us any," Darlington senior linebacker Colton Hackett said.
Brillion averaged under three pass plays a game, but had two scores on three passes through the air against the Redbirds. Jenson connected with James Van Thiel with 5 seconds left in the first half on a slant, giving the Lions a 21-0 advantage at the break.
"The first one was a blown coverage. All he had to do was knock the ball down or stay with his kid. But we had multiple mistakes and that one play didn't make the difference both (touchdowns) were killers," Zywicki said. "That second one was obviously a huge psychological boost for them. We came back from 14-down last week (against Brillion), but that third touchdown was monumental."
Erickson did his best to keep his season alive, returning the opening kickoff of the second half 90 yards to the Brillion 7-yard line. Three plays later, Erickson's QB dive up the middle put the Redbirds on the board.
"We weren't going to give up. We worked too hard to give up," Erickson said. "They (Brillion) wanted it. They deserved to win that game with the way they played. We tried to fight back but just didn't have enough."
Not to be outdone, Brillion countered with a five-play, 66-yard drive that culminated with a 21-yard scamper into the end zone by Justin Ziemer. The Lions' final TD came with 6:18 left in the fourth quarter when Taylor Behnke rumbled in from 10 yards out.
Darlington's final score came just moments later when Erickson connected with Tommy Notter on a 56-yard catch and run with 5:22 left. Brillion managed to run out the clock to end the game.
Erickson, who ran for over 1,110 yards and threw for more than 1,200 in this his senior year, was held to just 61 yards on the ground on 16 carries and 89 yards through the air on 4 of 8 passing.
"We came out flat last week and we came out flat again this week and just never overcame it," Hackett said. "Brillion is a great team with a bunch of great athletes. They work hard and their a classy team, too. They play clean. They definitely out-played us today."
The Redbirds had hoped this was the season the program would make the leap back to state for a shot at it's sixth state title.
"These kids that we have are just classy people. They are classy in the classroom and in the community. They are a great bunch to work with. They will be sorely missed because of their leadership and because they do all of the right things," Zywicki said. "(The seniors) are going to leave a great legacy for the other kids to follow. Work ethic and leadership over the last two years is just outstanding. Hopefully these younger kids can emulate the same attitude and work ethic."
Instead it will be Brillion that will move on to face undefeated Colby for the rights at the gold ball. Brillion lost to Arcadia in last year's state semifinal game, and Darlington knocked off Arcadia in Level 3 this season.
"This was a success," Erickson said of Darlington's season. "It's hard to say that now that we lost, but I couldn't be more proud of these guys. It was so fun."
