DARLINGTON — When Darlington beat Kewaunee 34-28 in a WIAA Division 6 Level 4 football game on Friday, Nov. 10, the Redbirds punched the program’s 13th ticket to state. The last two years, Darlington was also knocking on state’s door, falling just a game shy.
In 2022, Darlington fell to Mondovi 14-7 in the final two minutes of the Level 4 game. The previous year, the Redbirds let a 24-point lead slip away, losing to St. Mary’s Springs 35-24. For Roger Volkening III and the rest of the senior class, the losses stung. Instead of wallowing, Volkening and Darlington grew from the adversity.
“I can never forget the feeling of losing in Level 4 the past two years, and I think a lot of other guys can say that,” Volkening said. “We really used that heartbreak as motivation in the game against Kewaunee. I think this win showed how we overcome adversity and not let doubt creep in during bad moments of a game.”
The Kewaunee game wasn’t the only time Darlington had to show resiliency, though. The Redbirds began their season 1-1 after a 21-19 loss to Prairie du Chien on a failed 2-point conversion.
“We learned from our past experiences and continued to grind in the dark each and every day to put ourselves in a situation to get it done,” Gage Banfield said.
Darlington hasn’t dropped a game since, defending its SWAL title with convincing wins over Belleville (58-0) and Fennimore (49-0). The Redbirds rolled the Wildcats for the second time in three weeks for a 49-14 Level 1 victory and followed the performance up with a gritty 7-0 win over conference opponent Mineral Point in Level 2. Despite special team miscues, Darlington overcame Lancaster 28-22 in Level 3.
With the Level 4 victory, Darlington punched its ticket to state — the first under head coach Travis Winkers.
“I am just super blessed to be a part of the team,” Winker said. “I dream about all the kids’ hard work in the dark shining on the big stage when the lights are brightest.”
Although Darlington is no stranger to state, the team has brought home just four gold balls — the last coming in 1995 when the Redbirds were classified in Division 5. From 2013 to 2016, Darlington was the Division 6 runners-up.
“Us seniors have had this goal in mind for three years now,” Will Murray said. “But it’s not our ultimate goal, and we know what we want to achieve.”
Stratford stands in Darlington’s way. On paper, the two teams appear evenly matched. Both have scored over 400 points this season, while giving up less than 150. Defensively, each team boasts at least one Defensive Player of the Year in their respective conference — linebacker Koehler Kilty for Stratford and linebacker Reagan Jackson and defensive end Carter Murray for Darlington.
Winkers believes the difference will come in physicality and turnovers.
“The most physical team usually wins,” Winkers said. “The other big difference maker in high school football is turnovers. If you take care of the ball and play physical football, this will bode well for you more times than not. This game will be no different.”
