SOUTH WAYNE — The defending WIAA Division 7 state champion continues to impress during its reign. Black Hawk-Warren rolled past Ithaca 40-8 in the second round of the playoffs Nov. 1. The win sets up a rematch between the Warriors and River Ridge, which defeated Potosi-Cassville 29-18.
In the first quarter, Black Hawk-Warren took an 8-0 lead. By halftime, the Warriors (11-0) led 24-0.
Cayden Milz had 146 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries. He also completed a 33-yard pass to Andrew Schlichenmeyer. Jaylen Rufenacht had an interception and 141 yards on the ground with a score, while Cody Blosch added a touchdown.
In Week 6, Black Hawk-Warren defeated River Ridge 22-20. It was the closest final score of the season for the Warriors. It was also the only game of the season the Warriors allowed more than two scores.
The Timberwolves (8-3) needed to win in Week 9 in order to even qualify for the postseason. River Ridge lost to Potosi-Cassville (8-3) and Black Hawk-Warren in back-to-back weeks before toppling Ithaca in a nonconference game. The Timberwolves’ other loss on the season came in Week 8 at Benton-Scales Mound-Shullsburg (8-2).
Senior quarterback Cole Crubel has thrown for over 1,000 yards on the season with 14 TDs and 3 INTs. He’s second on the team in rushing with 538 yards and 14 more scores. Senior Will Esser leads the Timberwolves with 1,292 rushing yards and 10 scores. Brayan Barrita, a senior, is the team’s top receiver, with 487 yards on 13 catches — seven of which went for touchdowns. Sophomore Archie Cooley’s 20 receptions lead the team. Cooley has five TDs on the year.
Milz leads Black Hawk with 1,366 rushing yards and 18 TDs. Rufenacht has 808 rushing yards and 14 scores, while Blosch is at 691 yards on the ground and five scores. All three are seniors and each are averaging more than 8.2 yards per carry.
Senior quarterback Ethan Williams has passed for 663 yards and 9 TDs and added another 5 TDs and 163 yards on the ground.
The Warriors are outscoring opponents 419-73 this season, and hold an edge in total offensive yards 4,355-1,151.
The Level 3 game is set for 7 p.m. Nov. 8 at Black Hawk High School.
Division 6
Mondovi 42, Darlington 0
MONDOVI — The Redbirds’ WIAA Division 6 postseason run ended Nov. 2 against top-seeded Mondovi.
Darlington (7-4) fell behind 7-0 in the first quarter when Mondovi’s Carter Johnson ran in a score from 16 yards out. Johnson accounted for five of his team’s touchdown. In the second quarter, Johnson connected with Owen Schultz for a 69-yard score as the Buffaloes led 13-0 at halftime.
Johnson ran in a score from 13 yards out in the third quarter and later threw a 4-yard pass to Nolan Seipel. In the fourth, Johnson scored on a 7-yard run, and Tanner Marsh added a 9-yard score before the final whistle.
Marsh finished with 147 yards rushing on 19 carries, while Johnson had 113 rushing yards and 105 passing yards.
Wyat Bredeson led Darlington with 61 rushing yards. Braden Davis was 6 of 15 passing for 74 yards and two interceptions. Carter Lancaster had three catches for 53 yards.
