DARLINGTON — The Darlington Redbirds are one win away from getting back to Camp Randall in search of a sixth state title. In Level 3 of the WIAA Division 5 playoffs, Darlington went up 47-0 in the third quarter. Durand-Arkansaw scored four unanswered touchdowns as the reserves closed out the game, with the Redbirds winning 47-28.
Darlington (12-0) travels to the state semifinals once again, looking to play at Camp Randall for a 15th time in program history — a Wisconsin mark only ever reached by Edgar. DHS will travel to Horicon to play fellow No. 1 seed Amherst (12-0) in the Level 4 semifinal this Friday, Nov. 13.
Against Durand-Arkansaw (10-2), the Redbirds announced their presence with authority, scoring three touchdowns in the first quarter. At the 8:53 mark of the opening period, Levi Lancaster had a 42-yard score on his first carry of the season. Then Peyton Dempsey scampered in from 48 yards out with the clock at 4:51 on his lone rush of the contest. Less than four minutes later, QB Zeke Zuberbuhler made it 20-0 with a 1-yard sneak.
In the second quarter, Zuberbuhler, an Air Force football recruit, connected with Ryder Fitzsimons for a 23-yard TD. Darlington had two more chances in the frame to take on points, but turned the ball over twice in the red zone — a fumble and an interception — practically the lone blemishes of the half by the first string offense.
In the third quarter, Fitzsimons added a 2-yard rushing TD, with Calum Crist pounding another across the goal line just 30 seconds later from two yards out to make it 40-0. Zuberbuhler sent the home crowd into a tizzy one last time with a 77-yard score with 2:50 left in the third, making it 47-0.
Zuberbuhler closed the night throwing just four passes, connecting with Fitzsimons for both for a total of 48 yards. The versatile QB added a team-high 143 yards rushing. Fitzsimons touched the ball just five times in the game, but had 59 total yards and two scores. Dante Glendenning had 10 carries for 88 yards. Crist finished with 43 yards rushing.
In all, the Redbirds ran for 384 yards and collected 432 yards of total offense. The Panthers, meanwhile, were unable to get anything going against the staunch Darlington defense. Ryker Crist had a fumble recovery, while Lancaster had a nifty interception. The Redbirds had six tackles for a loss, including a combo sack from Gage Ruf and Sloan Glendenning.
On the season, Darlington has gained nearly 4,400 yards of offense, including more than 3,300 rushing. Zuberbuhler has thrown for 975 yards and 12 TDs himself, and added another 841 yards and 14 scores on the ground. Calum Crist leads DHS with 1,040 yards rushing and 12 TDs. Dante Glendenning also has 12 rushing score to go with 795 yards.
The Redbirds have outscored teams 481-121. While the starting defense has allowed very few points this season, DHS has pitched two shutouts. Four games have ended in a running clock.
Amherst has gained 4,310 yards of offense, including 3,557 on the ground. Leading running back Ayden Nerdahl, a 6-foot, 200-pound senior, has 2,555 yards and 47 TDs on the season, and is averaging 11.5 yards per carry. The second best runner for the Falcons has been QB Tyler Loken, who has run for 659 yards and seven TDs while throwing for another 649 and nine scores.
The Falcons have outscored opponents 506-127, which has included three shutouts. Five of Amherst’s games have ended with a running clock.
Horicon, the neutral site selected by the WIAA, is just over two hours away (123 miles) from Darlington, while Amherst will have to spend about 25 minutes less on the bus (95 miles). Darlington’s first three playoff opponents — Dodgeville, Winnebago Lutheran and Durand-Arkansaw — traveled 24 miles, 145 miles and 228 miles to DHS.
