By Adam Krebs
editor@
themonroetimes.com
JEFFERSON —The Cheesemakers picked up their first win of the year in Week 3, toppling Jefferson 32-14 in a Rock Valley Conference game.
Joe Rufenacht had two touchdowns for Monroe —one on each side of the ball. In the third quarter with his team ahead 13-7, Rufenacht broke free for a 60-yard TD run. In the fourth, he had a 33-yard pick-six.
Jacob Flom got the scoring started for the Cheesemakers (1-2, 1-0 RVC), punching in a touchdown on the ground from 26 yards out. Jefferson (0-3, 0-1) tied it before the end of the frame, but Ben Gatdula plunged in from a yard out in the second quarter to give Monroe a slim one score lead at intermission.
In the third quarter, the Eagles followed up Rufenacht’s long scampering score with a 71-yard TD run of their own to bring it back to with five points at 19-14. Tony Wolf gave Monroe some breathing room with a TD in the fourth quarter on a 6-yard run, and Rufenacht’s interception for a score sealed the victory.
The Cheesemakers collected 403 yards rushing in the game as a unit. Flom led the way with 133 yards on 14 carries (9.5 ypc). Rufenacht (68 yards, 34.0 ypc), Gatdula (59 yards, 4.9 ypc), Cameron Newcomer (58 yards, 29.0 ypc), Wolf (56 yards, 7.0 ypc), Nathan Fuchs (16 yards, 5.3 ypc) and Bryce Roelli (13 yards, 6.5 ypc) all carried the ball for Monroe. Roelli’s lone pass attempt failed.
Up next for Monroe is Edgerton (3-0, 1-0).
BHW 26, River Ridge 20
WARREN —The seventh-ranked Warriors scored a key win to kick off the Six Rivers slate, defeating the No. 4-ranked Timberwolves in Week 3.
River Ridge led 7-0 at halftime thanks to a 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. A full quarter later, Owen Seffrood plunged into the end zone for Black Hawk-Warren, and his successful 2-point conversion gave the Warriors a brief 8-7 advantage.
Three minutes later, the Timberwolves were back into the end zone on a 6-yard pass to retake the lead, 14-8. Pierson Mahoney then hit paydirt with just three seconds left in the third to even the score. To open the fourth quarter, Bryce VanRaalte took a fumble 25-yards into the end zone for a score. River Ridge tied it at 20 with a deep 57-yard TD pass from Brandon Davis to Reese Drew —their second connection for a score on the day.
With just 10 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Seffrood threw a 25-yard TD pass to Beau Bredeson for the game-winner.
Seffrood finished the game with 175 rushing yards. The Warriors had 274 yards of offense, and their bend-but-don’t-break defense allowed 315 yards, including 197 through the air. The Warriors (2-1, 1-0) travel to Boscobel (0-3, 0-1) in Week 4.
Lancaster 48,
New Glarus 20
LANCASTER —The Glarner Knights found themselves in a 28-0 hole before breaking the egg themselves in their first SWC game of the season. By halftime, the Flying Arrows led 48-6.
Matt Roth finished the game 14-for-22 passing for 159 yards and a 30-yard TD pass to Andrew Sarbacker. The Knights (2-1, 0-1) gained 177 yards rushing on the ground, with four players gaining at least 40 yards —Luke Burton (41), Milo Johnson (49), Charlie Sarbacker (41) and Carson Prechel (43). Burton and Prechel scored late TDs during a running clock.
Lancaster (2-1, 1-0) had 502 yards of offense.
New Glarus faces off against Dodgeville (1-2, 0-1) in Week 4.
Platteville 49, Brodhead-Juda 6
PLATTEVILLE —The Cardinals (0-3, 0-1) fell behind 21-0 after the first quarter, 28-0 by halftime and 35-0 to enter the fourth quarter in their first Southwest Wisconsin Conference game of the season.
Platteville (1-2, 1-0) gained 380 yards of offense, including 250 through the air. The Hillmen also forced a fumble and intercepted two passes.
Brodhead-Juda is at River Valley (1-1, 1-0) in Week 4.
Cuba City 38, Belleville 7
BELLEVILLE —The Cubans (2-0, 1-0 SWAL) were methodical and clean in Week 3, gaining 342 yards of offense with a balanced approach (163 passing, 179 rushing). The Wildcats (0-3, 0-1) had just 128 yards of offense, with Rayden Taylor gaining 53 yards rushing and a fourth-quarter TD on just three attempts.
Belleville will get an automatic win in Week 4 over Abundant Life/St. Ambrose, which forfeited. Belleville will now play at Lake Mills (3-0) in a non-conference affair.
Kickapoo-La Farge 20, Monticello 0
KICKAPOO —The Ponies are still looking for their first win in program history, but progress is apparent. Hunter Grossen gained 93 yards on 20 attempts to lead the Ponies in rushing. Monticello as a unit gained 165 yards on the ground and 192 of total offense in the game.
KLF had 272 yards of offense, with Aidric Egge the top performer. Egge had 122 yards rushing and 72 yards receiving with two touchdowns. KLF led 14-0 after the first quarter but didn’t score their last touchdown until the fourth.
Monticello (0-2, 0-1 Ridge & Valley) faces Wonewoc-Weston (0-2, 0-1) in Week 3 of 8-player football.
