DARLINGTON - Fullback Myles Leahy and his Darlington teammates took care of business, rolling to a 42-0 win over Melrose-Mindoro in a WIAA Division 6 Level 1 playoff game Saturday, Oct. 26.
Leahy, a junior, rushed for 122 yards and scored three touchdowns, while junior Jason Singer rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns to propel the Redbirds. Darlington (9-1) will advance to play Cuba City in the Level 2 playoffs at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1. It marks the fourth shutout by the Redbird defense this year.
"As a coach you worry about your team not taking your opponent seriously," said Darlington coach Scott Zywicki, whose Redbirds as a No. 8 seed last year beat No. 1 seed Deerfield in the first-round of the playoffs.
"We went into the playoffs as a No. 8 seed last year and I don't think Deerfield took us seriously, though our team treated them with respect. I think our team handled them professionally."
The Redbirds got off to a hot start with Leahy rumbling for a 35-yard TD run. He added a 1-yard TD plunge late in the first quarter to give the Redbirds a 12-0 lead.
Singer scored on 9-yard run early in the second quarter. He ran in the two-point conversion to give the Redbirds an insurmountable 20-0 lead.
Darlington junior Cole McDonald then tossed a 19-yard TD pass to senior Tanner Wiegel about midway through the second quarter. Aric Geissbuhler ran in the two-point conversion.
Leahy helped Darlington close the second quarter strong with a 1-yard TD run to give the Redbirds a 35-0 lead at the half.
Singer had a 13-yard TD run late in the third quarter to put the game away. Darlington, which has won nine straight games since a season-opening loss to Platteville, gashed Melrose-Mindoro for 373 total rushing yards. McDonald was 3 of 6 passing for 70 yards with one touchdown.
The Redbirds' defense was just as impressive as the offense, limiting Melrose-Mindoro to 82 total yards and just 20 rushing yards.
"I love the way our defense is flying around," Zywicki said. "Hopefully, our defense will keep us in any game no matter what. There were a few mistakes that we made Melrose-Mindoro wasn't able to take advantage. We are hoping a good running game and defense will get us to state."
Darlington will now prepare for a rematch with Cuba City, who the Redbirds defeated 14-7 earlier this year. The Redbirds won the game despite committing five turnovers.
"We put ourselves behind the eight-ball in the first game with all of those turnovers," Zywicki said. "We have to take care of the ball. They are a much improved team and have a great coaching staff. I'm sure they are coming in with the mentality that they can win.
"We will have to play a much cleaner game than we did last time."
La Crosse Logan 34, Evansville-Albany 13
LACROSSE - Evansville-Albany senior wide receiver Isaiah Shell had a big game, but the Blue Devils lost a WIAA Division 3 Level 1 playoff game to La Crosse Logan 34-13 Saturday, Oct. 26.
Shell had eight catches for 119 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 34 yards on five carries. Evansville-Albany running back Ryan Cashore added a 1-yard TD run. Matt Sperry was 15 of 29 passing for 219 yards and one touchdown.
Leahy, a junior, rushed for 122 yards and scored three touchdowns, while junior Jason Singer rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns to propel the Redbirds. Darlington (9-1) will advance to play Cuba City in the Level 2 playoffs at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1. It marks the fourth shutout by the Redbird defense this year.
"As a coach you worry about your team not taking your opponent seriously," said Darlington coach Scott Zywicki, whose Redbirds as a No. 8 seed last year beat No. 1 seed Deerfield in the first-round of the playoffs.
"We went into the playoffs as a No. 8 seed last year and I don't think Deerfield took us seriously, though our team treated them with respect. I think our team handled them professionally."
The Redbirds got off to a hot start with Leahy rumbling for a 35-yard TD run. He added a 1-yard TD plunge late in the first quarter to give the Redbirds a 12-0 lead.
Singer scored on 9-yard run early in the second quarter. He ran in the two-point conversion to give the Redbirds an insurmountable 20-0 lead.
Darlington junior Cole McDonald then tossed a 19-yard TD pass to senior Tanner Wiegel about midway through the second quarter. Aric Geissbuhler ran in the two-point conversion.
Leahy helped Darlington close the second quarter strong with a 1-yard TD run to give the Redbirds a 35-0 lead at the half.
Singer had a 13-yard TD run late in the third quarter to put the game away. Darlington, which has won nine straight games since a season-opening loss to Platteville, gashed Melrose-Mindoro for 373 total rushing yards. McDonald was 3 of 6 passing for 70 yards with one touchdown.
The Redbirds' defense was just as impressive as the offense, limiting Melrose-Mindoro to 82 total yards and just 20 rushing yards.
"I love the way our defense is flying around," Zywicki said. "Hopefully, our defense will keep us in any game no matter what. There were a few mistakes that we made Melrose-Mindoro wasn't able to take advantage. We are hoping a good running game and defense will get us to state."
Darlington will now prepare for a rematch with Cuba City, who the Redbirds defeated 14-7 earlier this year. The Redbirds won the game despite committing five turnovers.
"We put ourselves behind the eight-ball in the first game with all of those turnovers," Zywicki said. "We have to take care of the ball. They are a much improved team and have a great coaching staff. I'm sure they are coming in with the mentality that they can win.
"We will have to play a much cleaner game than we did last time."
La Crosse Logan 34, Evansville-Albany 13
LACROSSE - Evansville-Albany senior wide receiver Isaiah Shell had a big game, but the Blue Devils lost a WIAA Division 3 Level 1 playoff game to La Crosse Logan 34-13 Saturday, Oct. 26.
Shell had eight catches for 119 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 34 yards on five carries. Evansville-Albany running back Ryan Cashore added a 1-yard TD run. Matt Sperry was 15 of 29 passing for 219 yards and one touchdown.
