DARLINGTON — The top-seeded Redbirds dominated the first half of their WIAA Division 5 Level 1 playoff game, going up 35-0 at halftime over Dodgeville. While the Dodgers (4-6) scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, Darlington (10-0) didn’t need to sweat it out.
The state’s top-ranked team and 2025 Division 6 champion got two touchdowns in the first quarter, and three more in the second. QB Zeke Zuberbuhler, an Air Force football recruit, darted off for an 81-yard TD just 23 seconds into the game. He added a second TD at the 4:31 mark of the first on another run.
In the second quarter, he dumped a pass to Dante Glendenning for a 31-yard score, and with 5:01 left in the half, Zuberbuhler scored on a 16-yard run. Calum Crist also had a 19-yard TD rush in the second quarter.
Darlington accumulated 341 yards of offense on just 31 plays, including 268 on the ground. Dodgeville, meanwhile, had 200 yards of offense.
Zuberbuhler was 2 of 3 passing for 73 yards with a score. He also had 163 yards rushing on nine attempts with three scores. Crist had 93 yards rushing and a TD on seven carries.
The Redbirds will now host five-seed Winnebago Lutheran (6-4) in Level 2 on October 30. The Vikings defeated New Holstein (6-4) on the road in Level 1, 25-13.
Division 5
New Glarus 48, Bloomer 8
NEW GLARUS — The Glarner Knights improved to 9-1 on the season, thumping the visiting Blackhawks (4-6) in Level 1.
Four second quarter touchdowns put New Glarus ahead 35-0 at halftime, and the lead extended to 41-0 through three quarters. Both teams scored one time in the fourth while the mercy rule clock continuously ran.
Despite scoring just one TD, Bloomer gained 280 yards of offense. However, the Blackhawks had two giveaways, while the Knights went turnover-free.
QB Quinn Marty was 4-for-7 for 173 yards and two TDs. Tucker Sysko had 120 yards receiving on two catches — both of which for scores (74 yards, 46 yards). Brayden Schmitt added two catches for 53 yards.
Carson Prechel finished with 83 rushing yards and three TDs on just nine carries. Isaac Christiansen added a 52-yard TD rush, while Brady Baer also had a scoring run and 36 yards on the day. Defensively, Tyse Hoesly recovered a fumble, and freshman Brock Weeden intercepted a pass.
In Level 2, the Knights will host Chilton (6-4), which defeated Peshtigo (5-5) 34-27 in the first round.
Division 7
Black Hawk/Warren 36, Cashton 32
CASHTON — The Warriors went on the road in Level 1 and pulled off the upset, handing Cashton (8-2) just its second loss of the season.
Dax Paquin gained 183 rushing yards and three TDs on 24 carries, while Beau Janecke added 76 yards and a score on nine attempts. QB Beau Podnar was 3-for-6 passing for 77 yards with a TD and an INT, and then added another 76 yards rushing. Trent Bidlingmaier had two catches for 62 yards and a TD, and Paquin added another 15 yards on one catch. All told, BHW gained 421 yards of offense against the Eagles.
The Warriors went up 16-0 after the first quarter, but the Eagles closed it to 22-12 by halftime. After three quarters, BHW was nursing a tight four-point lead at 30-26. Both teams scored in the fourth, with neither converting a
Up next for the Warriors is another road game, this time against unbeaten and top-seeded Ithaca/Weston (9-0).
Lourdes Academy 35, Pecatonica/Argyle 7
OSHKOSH — The Vikings return to the playoffs came to an end at UW-Oshkosh’s Titan Stadium in a Level 1 loss to private school Lourdes Academy.
QB Martin Anderson was 14 of 27 passing for 170 yards, a TD and an INT. Pec/Argyle gained just 31 yards of offense on 15 carries. Bo Stateler, (37 yards, TD), Braydon Slater (43 yards) and Brock Erickson (71 yards) each had four catches.
The Knights (9-1) went up by two scores after the first frame, and led 28-7 at halftime. The Vikings were unable to score in the second half and saw their season come to an end with a 4-6 overall record.
