DEERFIELD - The Darlington football team lived on turnovers and upset No. 1 seed Deerfield 21-20 in the first round of the WIAA Division 6 playoffs on Saturday.
Darlington junior Aric Geissbuhler had three interceptions to lead the Redbirds. With the win, Darlington (5-4) advances to the Level 2 playoffs where they will host Necedah (7-2) on either Friday or Saturday. At press time Sunday night, the WIAA still had not announced the time and location of the game.
"It's like he (Geissbuhler) knew what pass patterns were coming," Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said. "He was very solid in the secondary. We won the turnover battle. I'm really pleased and happy with the performance of our kids."
The Redbirds rushed for 300 total yards and took control of the game on the ground. Darlington sophomore Myles Leahy capped a 76-yard drive with a 1-yard TD run to give the Redbirds a 7-0 lead. With Storm Wiegel out with an injury, Darlington's Jason Singer broke loose for a 57-yard TD run right before halftime to give the Redbirds a 14-6 lead.
Singer rushed for 92 yards on 12 carries and scored one touchdown. Leahy rushed for 96 yards on 20 carries and had one touchdown. Tanner Wiegel had 85 rushing yards on 15 carries.
"Our kids had to play extremely well and they did," Zywicki said. "We got contributions up and down the lineup. Our line was outstanding and our backs ran hard."
Darlington junior Aric Geissbuhler had three interceptions to lead the Redbirds. With the win, Darlington (5-4) advances to the Level 2 playoffs where they will host Necedah (7-2) on either Friday or Saturday. At press time Sunday night, the WIAA still had not announced the time and location of the game.
"It's like he (Geissbuhler) knew what pass patterns were coming," Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said. "He was very solid in the secondary. We won the turnover battle. I'm really pleased and happy with the performance of our kids."
The Redbirds rushed for 300 total yards and took control of the game on the ground. Darlington sophomore Myles Leahy capped a 76-yard drive with a 1-yard TD run to give the Redbirds a 7-0 lead. With Storm Wiegel out with an injury, Darlington's Jason Singer broke loose for a 57-yard TD run right before halftime to give the Redbirds a 14-6 lead.
Singer rushed for 92 yards on 12 carries and scored one touchdown. Leahy rushed for 96 yards on 20 carries and had one touchdown. Tanner Wiegel had 85 rushing yards on 15 carries.
"Our kids had to play extremely well and they did," Zywicki said. "We got contributions up and down the lineup. Our line was outstanding and our backs ran hard."
