MIDDLETON - Michael Flanagan couldn't wait to celebrate with his teammates Friday night. Black Hawk's senior quarterback passed for 184 yards and two touchdowns in the biggest game of his life, leading the Warriors to Camp Randall Stadium and a date with destiny following a 56-8 thumping of Fall River in a WIAA Division 7 state semifinal game Friday.
After the win, the team was jubilant at Breitenbach Stadium and Flanagan hugged his father, Mike, who serves as one of the Warriors' statisticians.
"I was a videographer the last time Black Hawk won state in 2013," the younger Flanagan said. "I watched it, and I was there on the field. This was important to be a part of that. I can't explain it. I'm happy and now I'm super elated."
With the win, Black Hawk (13-0) keeps its unbeaten record alive and the Warriors advance to play Bangor in a Division 7 state championship game at 10 a.m. Thursday at Camp Randall Stadium at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It's the second time in the past five years the Warriors will play in the state championship game. Black Hawk won the school's only gold ball in 2013.
Black Hawk scored on its first seven drives and dominated the line of scrimmage in the rout of Fall River. Flanagan, who was a perfect 4 of 4 passing, got the scoring eruption started when he connected with senior Jett Rufenacht on a 54-yard touchdown pass on the
second offensive play in the first quarter. Junior Colby Argall ran in the two-point conversion to give the Warriors an 8-0 lead.
"That really set the tone," Rufenacht said. "Then we got our energy going and the crowd got their energy going. I think that gave us our mojo. After that first running play the players on the field and the coaches could just tell they were just going to stack the box."
The Warriors had four sacks and scored 24 points after forcing two turnovers and turning in a goal line stand that led to a turnover on downs. Rufenacht had two sacks, scooped up a fumble and raced in for a touchdown in the second half.
"This is a goal we have had since seventh grade," Rufenacht said. "Coming off the loss to Shullsburg in the second round last year, this has been our goal to get to this point. Coming into this year, we knew this would be our last shot at it (making the state title game). We have worked really hard in the weight room and studying for this."
Argall rushed for 140 yards on nine carries and had two touchdowns. The Warriors racked up 504 total yards, including 285 yards on the ground. Senior Brody Milz ran for 70 yards on 12 carries and scored twice.
"It's awesome," Argall said. "It's been our goal all year. We want to bring it (gold ball) back like the 2013 team did. We just have to keep going. We are not done yet."
Milz rammed in for a 1-yard TD run midway through the first quarter to give the Warriors a 14-0 lead. The Pirates later had a golden scoring opportunity with a long drive late in the first quarter, but Black Hawk's defense tightened and forced a fourth-and-goal from the 8-yard line. That's when Rufenacht stepped up and sacked Fall River quarterback Luke Figol to force a turnover on downs.
The Warriors limited the Pirates to 103 total yards and 38 rushing.
"Coach always says that defense always wins championships," Rufenacht said. "We always practice our run defense and pass rush because that is what it takes to win games."
After two false start penalties, the Warriors got moving and a five-play, 97-yard drive culminated in Argall's 27-yard TD run that extended the advantage to 20-0 early in the second quarter.
Black Hawk coach Cory Milz was excited by Argall's big runs and the offense for generating so many big plays.
"Colby had a great game," Milz said. "Colby did a great job making people miss with some cut-backs. Every week he's gotten better and improved."
Argall then intercepted a Figol pass on the Pirates' next possession. The Warriors' capped an eight-play, 88-yard drive with Argall scampering in for a 5-yard TD. Brody Milz ran in the two-point conversion and the Warriors led 28-0 about midway through the second quarter. Milz added a 1-yard TD plunge with 18 seconds left in the second, this time with Argall running in the conversion, making it 36-0 at the half.
Argall returned the opening kickoff of the second half for a touchdown, but the play was wiped out due to a block in the back. On the next play, Flanagan connected with senior Jason Treuthardt on a 49-yard TD pass. Moments later, Rufenacht returned a fumble 20-yards for a score to make it 49-0 with 10:45 left in the third quarter.
"We have guys all over the field who can make plays," Flanagan said. "If a defense takes one of them away we will go to another one."
Coming in as a reserve, junior quarterback Kyle Lovelace tossed a 35-yard TD pass to Rece Shelton with 4:25 to go in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring.
Brody Milz and sophomore Nick Whitcomb each also posted one sack.
"I think our defense played fast and physical and we just wore them down," Cory Milz said.
Coach Milz is looking forward to guiding the Warriors to a second title and commended the community for the support.
"This is a great testament to the community and the support they have given our kids," he said. "I'm not sure if they would work as hard if they didn't have that support."
After the win, the team was jubilant at Breitenbach Stadium and Flanagan hugged his father, Mike, who serves as one of the Warriors' statisticians.
"I was a videographer the last time Black Hawk won state in 2013," the younger Flanagan said. "I watched it, and I was there on the field. This was important to be a part of that. I can't explain it. I'm happy and now I'm super elated."
With the win, Black Hawk (13-0) keeps its unbeaten record alive and the Warriors advance to play Bangor in a Division 7 state championship game at 10 a.m. Thursday at Camp Randall Stadium at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It's the second time in the past five years the Warriors will play in the state championship game. Black Hawk won the school's only gold ball in 2013.
Black Hawk scored on its first seven drives and dominated the line of scrimmage in the rout of Fall River. Flanagan, who was a perfect 4 of 4 passing, got the scoring eruption started when he connected with senior Jett Rufenacht on a 54-yard touchdown pass on the
second offensive play in the first quarter. Junior Colby Argall ran in the two-point conversion to give the Warriors an 8-0 lead.
"That really set the tone," Rufenacht said. "Then we got our energy going and the crowd got their energy going. I think that gave us our mojo. After that first running play the players on the field and the coaches could just tell they were just going to stack the box."
The Warriors had four sacks and scored 24 points after forcing two turnovers and turning in a goal line stand that led to a turnover on downs. Rufenacht had two sacks, scooped up a fumble and raced in for a touchdown in the second half.
"This is a goal we have had since seventh grade," Rufenacht said. "Coming off the loss to Shullsburg in the second round last year, this has been our goal to get to this point. Coming into this year, we knew this would be our last shot at it (making the state title game). We have worked really hard in the weight room and studying for this."
Argall rushed for 140 yards on nine carries and had two touchdowns. The Warriors racked up 504 total yards, including 285 yards on the ground. Senior Brody Milz ran for 70 yards on 12 carries and scored twice.
"It's awesome," Argall said. "It's been our goal all year. We want to bring it (gold ball) back like the 2013 team did. We just have to keep going. We are not done yet."
Milz rammed in for a 1-yard TD run midway through the first quarter to give the Warriors a 14-0 lead. The Pirates later had a golden scoring opportunity with a long drive late in the first quarter, but Black Hawk's defense tightened and forced a fourth-and-goal from the 8-yard line. That's when Rufenacht stepped up and sacked Fall River quarterback Luke Figol to force a turnover on downs.
The Warriors limited the Pirates to 103 total yards and 38 rushing.
"Coach always says that defense always wins championships," Rufenacht said. "We always practice our run defense and pass rush because that is what it takes to win games."
After two false start penalties, the Warriors got moving and a five-play, 97-yard drive culminated in Argall's 27-yard TD run that extended the advantage to 20-0 early in the second quarter.
Black Hawk coach Cory Milz was excited by Argall's big runs and the offense for generating so many big plays.
"Colby had a great game," Milz said. "Colby did a great job making people miss with some cut-backs. Every week he's gotten better and improved."
Argall then intercepted a Figol pass on the Pirates' next possession. The Warriors' capped an eight-play, 88-yard drive with Argall scampering in for a 5-yard TD. Brody Milz ran in the two-point conversion and the Warriors led 28-0 about midway through the second quarter. Milz added a 1-yard TD plunge with 18 seconds left in the second, this time with Argall running in the conversion, making it 36-0 at the half.
Argall returned the opening kickoff of the second half for a touchdown, but the play was wiped out due to a block in the back. On the next play, Flanagan connected with senior Jason Treuthardt on a 49-yard TD pass. Moments later, Rufenacht returned a fumble 20-yards for a score to make it 49-0 with 10:45 left in the third quarter.
"We have guys all over the field who can make plays," Flanagan said. "If a defense takes one of them away we will go to another one."
Coming in as a reserve, junior quarterback Kyle Lovelace tossed a 35-yard TD pass to Rece Shelton with 4:25 to go in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring.
Brody Milz and sophomore Nick Whitcomb each also posted one sack.
"I think our defense played fast and physical and we just wore them down," Cory Milz said.
Coach Milz is looking forward to guiding the Warriors to a second title and commended the community for the support.
"This is a great testament to the community and the support they have given our kids," he said. "I'm not sure if they would work as hard if they didn't have that support."
