Replay: WIAA state finals, with winners Edgar, Stratford, Aquinas and Lodi

The 2023 Wisconsin high school football playoffs conclude this week in Madison with seven state championship games Thursday and Friday at Camp Randall Stadium.

Thursday featured Divisions 7-4, with Edgar, Stratford, Aquinas and Lodi winning crowns. Check back Friday for the top three divisions.

• Division 7 - Edgar (13-1) 36, Black Hawk/Warren, Ill. (12-2) 6. Read game story

• Division 6 - Stratford (13-1) 10, Darlington (12-2) 7. Read game story

• Division 5 - Aquinas (13-1) 32, Wrightstown (11-3) 13. Read game story

• Division 4 - Lodi (14-0) 38, Luxemburg-Casco (12-2) 14.

Take a look back at updates from the Division 7-4 state championship football games in Madison on Nov. 16, 2023.

FINAL: Lodi 38, Luxemburg-Casco 14

Lodi has some company for its 2017 gold ball with an overpowering win in Division 4 over Luxemburg-Casco here at Camp Randall. The Blue Devils, with some kneel downs, will finish with just less than 490 yards of total offense, just a totally spectacular effort for a front-line offense. Its only drives that ended in points were a missed field goal and the victory formation.

Coach Dave Puls said he's stepping aside after this one, and he goes out on top.

It's officially 488 yards of total offense for Lodi, including 147 yards on 18 carries for Kylar Clemens (8.2 per carry) and 100 on 15 for quarterback Mason Lane (6.7); he also threw for 220 yards and three touchdowns. Clemens also led the team with eight tackles on defense.

Max Ronsman finished with 163 yards passing for Luxemburg-Casco and 31 yards rushing, with two interceptions. Alex Klass had 81 yards (including 58 on one wildcat snap) and scored the Spartans' two touchdowns. Nice game for Trace Schoenebeck, who caught eight passes for 76 yards.

Lodi's offense was just so tough. Went 6 for 11 on third down and 3 of 3 on fourth down and that was in addition to a bevy of long touchdowns. Truly a special team.

Lux-Casco punts it back with 4:40 still to play

Lodi will have the ball at its own 45-yard line with a chance to clear 40 points in this contest. There's still 4:40 to play, and I presume the Blue Devils will keep the ball on the ground.

It's been the picture of balance for Lodi's 466 yards, with 220 in the air and 246 on the ground. Mason Lane has 88 of those rushing yards in addition to his 220 passing, and Gavin Sargeant has six catches for 74 yards.

Hope you enjoyed the blog; we'll have more tomorrow!

It's not over today just yet, but thanks for following along all day, and congratulations to the teams that won gold balls (and the ones that brought home silver).

We'll have a separate blog fired up tomorrow for the Division 3, 2 and 1 title games, all of which feature entrants a little closer to my Milwaukee roots. It'll be the first game in WIAA history featuring two teams from Milwaukee County.

Lodi stopped shy of the goal line and settles for a field goal

Jacobo Castillo-Rosales, who missed a 30-yarder at the end of the first half, puts this one through the uprights from 23 yards away, upping Lodi's lead to 38-14 with less than 6 minutes to play in the Division 4 state title game.

It counts as a stop, I suppose? To this point, the only Lodi drive that has not ended in points was the missed field goal.

Lodi is on its way to an undefeated season.

LODI 38, LUXEMBURG-CASCO, 5:50/4th

Lodi now 3 for 3 on fourth down

Lodi is only 4 for 8 on third downs, but also 3 for 3 on fourth, enabling the Blue Devils to constantly keep moving the chains.

They wound up facing a 3rd and 3 from the Luxemburg-Casco 14-yard line, and thought it appeared Kylar Clemens would be bottled up to set up another fourth down, he powered through down to the 10-yard line, giving the Blue Devils first and goal from there.

There's 8:27 to go, but it's falling action, I'm afraid.

END THIRD QUARTER: Lodi 35, Luxemburg-Casco 14

Lodi is on the 32-yard line of Luxemburg-Casco looking for a kill shot when the fourth quarter kicks off. The Blue Devils have 440 yards of total offense; the record in Division 4 is 524 by Westby back in 1986.

Lux-Casco gets chances to finally stop Lodi, but they're thwarted

Lodi was facing 3rd and 8 on its own 36, but Mason Lane again got what he needed, lofting a completion to Crew Clemens that picked up 11 yards. The Blue Devils overcame a penalty in that series to still convert and move across midfield, although holding once again moved Lodi backward for a 1st and 20.

But yet again, on 3rd and 8, Lane finds Gavin Sargeant, and the Blue Devils move the chains again to the L-C 36-yard line.

With one minute left in the third quarter, I'm afraid we can see where this is headed.

Luxemberg-Casco goes for it on 4th and 20 but falls short

Feeling the desperation of the moment, down three scores with 4:35 left, Luxemburg-Casco went for a 4th and 20 with the ball at the Lodi 45-yard line. The pass play picked up 10 yards but was an easy turnover on downs.

Lodi can put this game on ice right here. The Blue Devils are averaging 11 yards per play thus far.

Ouch, Lodi might have just sprung an early dagger with a 74-yard TOUCHDOWN

That was definitively not what L-C wanted.

On the first play of Lodi's first second-half series, Lodi's Kylar Clemens broke free for a 74-yard touchdown, and Lodi has its first three-score lead of the day. Touchdowns of 67 yards, 19 yards, 59 yards and now 74 yards (plus a 58-yarder from Luxemburg-Casco) to characterize a pretty wild offensive performance.

Lodi is up to 391 yards of total offense. Just an incredible performance on offense.

LODI 35, LUXEMBURG-CASCO 14, 8:26/3rd

Luxemburg-Casco can't get to midfield on first drive

A false start penalty complicated matters, too, but Luxemburg-Casco can't convert on 3rd and 15 from its own 38-yard line on the first drive of the second half, and the ball goes back to Lodi at the Blue Devils' 25-yard line.

Lodi hasn't been truly stopped on offense yet, and this is a big one, obviously. There's 8:45 left in the third quarter.

Some halftime numbers for Lodi and Luxemburg-Casco

Lodi had five drives, cashed four in for touchdown and drove down inside the red zone for the last, where a missed field goal kept the Blue Devils from a pretty perfect first half.

Mason Lane is incredibly good. The 6-1 all-state quarterback had 9 rushes for 85 yards and a score, and he completed 7 of 12 passes for 186 yards and three more touchdowns, including a bomb on the first play from scrimmage. He's found Gavin Sargent for four catches and 58 yards, including a sweet touchdown pass.

Luxemburg-Casco has moved the ball, too, with Max Ronsman throwing for 110 yards (8 of 14 passing) and running for another 25. Andrew Klass has 70 yards rushing, though most of that came on a 58-yard carry, and has scored both touchdowns. The Spartans' issue, however, is that they've thrown a couple interceptions (one on fourth down where it wasn't all that damaging) and simply can't slow down Lodi enough.

Lodi has an edge in total yards, 317-208, and first downs, 12-8. The Blue Devils are getting a whopping 9.3 yards per play, even as Lux-Casco is churning out 7.4.

The Division 4 record for passing touchdowns in a state-title game is four by Dan Schneider of West Salem in 2007. Lane needs one more to match that.

HALFTIME: Lodi still up 28-14, drive ends in missed field goal

Lodi's drive to the red zone leads to a 30-yard field goal attempt that his sent wide right. It would have been the longest of the year for Jacob Castillo Rosales, who hit 3 for 3 coming into today.

Luxemburg-Casco will get the ball first in the second half after registering its first defensive stop of the day.

HALFTIME: Lodi 28, Luxemburg-Casco 14

Mason Lane is quite the problem for Luxemburg-Casco

Lodi's Mason Lane is up to 163 yards passing and three touchdowns and now 82 yards rushing on seven carries, with another touchdown. The first-team All-State quarterback is proving nearly impossible to stop for the Spartans.

I'm not sure anyone can top Karter Butt of Edgar as the top individual performance of the day, but Lane is giving it a try.

He just threw a remarkable pass that was nearly a touchdown, but Aidan Groskopf couldn't quite hang on. Would have been No. 4 of the first half. Even as it stands, Lodi has it on the L-C 36 with 1:04 to go before half.

Max Ronsman is intercepted for the second time today

Ronsman is back after suffering an injury on the previous series, but on 4th and 2 from the Lodi 33, he lofted a ball that was picked off by 6-7 behemoth Josh Klann (who also left this game earlier with injury). The all-state offensive lineman (yep! big guy interception!) reels it in.

Lodi has the ball with 1:25 left at its own 36.

Lodi gets it right back with another TOUCHDOWN

L-C has stayed in the game with its touchdown drives, but it's going to need stops against this high-octane offense, too.

Mason Lane hit Brady Puls, the coach's son, with a pass that turned into a 59-yard touchdown run to cap a five-play, 68-yard drive that leaves 2:27 on the clock before halftime. Lodi has now twice answered Luxemburg-Casco scores with touchdowns of their own.

Lodi has now scored at least 24 points in every game this season and 28 in all but one. Amazing offensive production from the Blue Devils, who are in great shape to send their retiring coach out with a second state championship. Although, lots of football left.

LODI 28, LUXEMBURG-CASCO 14, 2:27/2nd

TOUCHDOWN, LUXEMBURG-CASCO

What a back-to-back sequence of plays for the Spartans.

First, Trace Schoenebeck made a sensational catch along the sideline, tapping his feet in bounds as he fell out for a nifty 16-yard completion and first down. But the play came with a price, as Luxemburg-Casco's quarterback Max Ronsman took a shot and walked gingerly off the field.

With Ronsman to the sideline, the Spartans snapped it directly to Andrew Klass, who promptly ran it straight up the middle for a 58-yard touchdown, having just enough to stay ahead of Aidan Groskopf on his way to the house.

Luxemburg-Casco isn't letting Lodi seize control, though we'll have to see how Rosnman is doing. He's all-state on the defensive side of the ball, too, so he's not someone they can easily replace.

LODI 21, LUXEMBURG-CASCO 14, 4:49/2nd

TOUCHDOWN LODI

Dang, what a great throw and catch by Gavin Sargeant, who was blanketed in the end zone, but the 6-4 senior brought it down anyway. Mason Lane had a wide open option in the flat and went for the home run anyway, and got it.

Big answer by Lodi, who reclaims a two score lead. It's a 72-yard drive over six plays and 2:20, and Lane is up to 96 yards passing, 56 yards rushing and three all-purpose touchdowns.

LODI 21, LUXEMBURG-CASCO 7, 5:15/2nd

Lodi once again sizzling down the field

Quarterback Mason Lane has ripped off a 28-yard run, and Kylar Clemens just went for 11 to put Lodi back on the doorstep of more points, down to the 23-yard line of Lux-Casco with 5:29 left in the second quarter and first and 10.

First-team All-State Lodi offensive lineman Josh Klann went down and needed medical attention, then walked gingerly off the field under his own power. Definitely something to keep an eye on, although it seems like every player who's been injured today has been back on the field within a play or two. Heck, Edgar quarterback Teegan Streit played most of the game with a limp and still helped the Wildcats dominate.

TOUCHDOWN, LUXEMBURG-CASCO

We have a ballgame.

Two plays after Trace Schoenebeck held on to a 3rd and 7 pass despite a big hit from Lodi's Kylar Clemens for a first-down conversion, the Spartans were in the end zone and had cut halfway into Lodi's lead.

Andrew Klass got the final 2 yards capping a pretty substantial drive: 14 plays, 65 yards, 6:26 of clock.

The Spartans are back within a touchdown of Lodi after an ugly start, and they just showed they could move the ball on Lodi's defense. Max Ronsman is up to 64 yards passing and 25 yards rushing.

LODI 14, LUXEMBURG-CASCO 7, 7:43/2nd

Max Ronsman with a big fourth-down keeper to keep the chains moving

Lux-Casco faced a 4th and 2 just inside midfield, definitely the right spot on the field to attempt a fourth-down conversion, and quarterback Max Ronsman made it happen with a 15-yard run that he nearly broke all the way to the house.

The Spartans' Chris Vanderweilen just took the jet sweep carry to the 15-yard line, and Lux-Casco is knocking on the door with an opportunity to cut this Lodi lead in half early in the second quarter.

END FIRST QUARTER: Lodi 14, Luxemburg-Casco 0

The Spartans just picked up a first down on a smooth 9-yard pass to Christopher Vanderweilen, but Luxemburg-Casco was thrown for a 4-yard loss on the ensuing snap and will face 2nd and 14 from its own 44 when we return to action.

The Blue Devils definitely look like the more powerful team early, but then again, Wrightstown also had a two-score lead in the Division 5 game before things turned dramatically.

Lodi plows ahead for a TOUCHDOWN and two-score lead

Lodi is already up over 120 yards of offense here in the first quarter and just cashed in a drive that started with Mason Lane's interception, with Lane taking it in for the final 4 yards.

Lane up to 27 yards rushing along with his 77 yards of passing. The Blue Devils have the early momentum in the Division 4 final.

LODI 14, LUXEMBURG-CASCO 0, 2:09/1st

Spartans can't get a fourth-down stop as Lodi enters the red zone

Lodi faced 4th and 2 at the 21-yard like of Luxemburg-Casco `but churned out the necessary yards, down to the 17-yard line on a run from Kylar Clemens. One plat later, Lane had a wide open receiver near the 5-yard line, but it bounced off the hands of Paxton Krugman to maybe keep the Blue Devils out of the end zone.

Still 3:40 to go in the first quarter.

Lodi's Mason Lane comes away with an interception to keep the pedal to the floor

On 3rd and 7 from Lodi's 38-yard line, Max Ronsman floated his pass just a little, and Lodi came away with the interception. It's Mason Lane, the quarterback who just hit a bomb for a touchdown on the other end of the field.

Ronsman had answered Lane's pass with a good one of his own, a beautiful ball to the sideline for 36 yards caught by Braeden Schley. That put the Spartans across midfield against the Lodi defense, but the drive was doomed to end just a couple plays later.

LODI TOUCHDOWN ON THE FIRST PLAY FROM SCRIMMAGE

That's how you start a state-championship game.

Undefeated Lodi just opened with an immediate touchdown, with Mason Lane finding Aiden Groskopf open down the middle of the field for what became a 67-yard touchdown that gives the Blue Devils a very quick 7-0 lead. Quarterback Mason Lane threw for 1,756 yards and 23 touchdowns this year, though Groskopf wasn't his top target. Beautiful ball, amazing start for Lodi.

LODI 7, LUXEMBURG-CASCO 0, 11:44/1st

Division 4: Luxemburg-Casco (12-1) vs. Lodi (13-0)

The only undefeated team we'll see today is Lodi, the Capitol Conference champion that has racked up eye-popping offensive production this year. Luxemburg-Casco, meanwhile, checks into this game as the day's biggest Cinderella story, with a last-second field goal to shock No. 1-ranked and four-time returning state finalist Catholic Memorial in Level 4. It's the program's first state final.

Lux-Casco coach Neil Seering said he invoked passages from the Disney movie "Miracle" to fire up his team in that win. Quarterback Max Ronsman leads the team in both passing (2,116 yards) and rushing (1,351), one year after losing nearly his entire junior season with injury.

Lodi coach Dave Puls has already said this will be his final year as head coach, so there's some intrigue on that side of the ball, as well. His son Brady, a senior who leads the team in tackling, overcame a serious car accident as a sophomore.

Lodi quarterback Mason Lane is a force, with 1,756 yards passing and 23 touchdowns, to just two interceptions. He also ran for 1,057 yards and 22 touchdowns this season. The senior is obviously a massive weapon. Puls, Lane and offensive lineman Josh Klann were all named first-team All State by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association.

For Casco, Ronsman (as a defensive back) and tight end Ezra Waege also received those honors.

Final numbers from Division 5 final

Aquinas becomes the 11th program to win three straight state titles, putting its name with some of the very elite football programs the state of Wisconsin has ever seen. This is a program that made its first WIAA state final in 20017 (a championship) and then didn't get back until 2021, and now three straight gold balls. Obviously, keep in mind the WIAA-WISAA merger in 2000.

The 428-255 yardage difference is stark, in favor of Aquinas. It was a 21-10 difference in first downs, 7.3 yards per play to 5.4, and 32-13 on the scoreboard.

Trevor Vande Hey with 140 yards rushing and another 19 passing led Wrightstown; the Iowa baseball recruit ran for a 59-yard touchdown that spotted his team a 13-0 lead early before things immediately went south.

Kyle White: 32 carries, 240 yards and a touchdown for Aquinas to net player of the game honors.

Aiden Humphreys finished with a team-high 12 tackles for Wrightstown, including one tackle for loss, though the guy who typically leads the team in rushing was limited to 43 yards. Brady Lehnerr was big for Aquinas, with a team-best 10 tackles plus 48 yards rushing and two touchdowns on offense.

FINAL: Aquinas 32, Wrightstown 13

Aquinas has won three straight state championships, rampaging back from an early 13-0 deficit to win in a landslide. Running back Kyle White (240 yards) was a menace on the ground for the Blugolds, who racked up 429 yards of total offense in a convincing victory.

Wrightstown gets inside the 10-yard line ... and Aquinas picks it off

Just a rough day for Wrightstown, which appeared to finally be on the doorstep of breaking up this string of 32 unanswered points by Aquinas. But it wasn't to be.

Trevor Vande Hey's throw on 4th and goal from the 5 was picked off in the end zone by Kaden Colwell, and the Blugolds will now look to milk the final 4:51 of this game.

Vande Hey, who had a 19-yard run on this drive, is up to 140 yards rushing with a touchdown for the Tigers, but it's going to be in defeat. The lead for Aquinas is 32-13.

OK, false alarm, White does NOT have the record ... yet

Oops, turns out the WIAA record book omitted Marcus Glodowski of Amherst, who ran for 269 yards in the 2017 Division 5 title game in a win over Lake Country Lutheran.

White, at 214 yards, is still short of the mark. His team does, however, have more than 400 yards of total offense.

Wrightstown also just stopped the Blugolds on fourth down and took over the ball with 10:37 left in this game, with the ball at the Tigers' own 28-yard line.

END THIRD QUARTER: Kyle White just broke an 11-year record

Aquinas running back Kyle White is the new state-title game record holder for rushing yards in a game, up to 214 and surpassing the 2011 by Dusty Peterson of Somerset in 2002.

Aquinas will have it with a 32-13 lead at the Wrightstown 36-yard line when play resumes.

Aquinas gets the stop on fourth down this time

This time, Aiden Humphreys is stopped short on another 4th and 2, and Aquinas gets the ball back in the final minute of the third quarter, already up by a 32-13 score. It's falling action from here, folks.

Wrightstown getting some offensive mojo back

The Tigers had just two first downs at halftime, but now they're up to seven, and they've recorded four on this drive alone, across midfield to the Aquinas 35-yard line. The most recent was a 4th and 1 conversion that Aiden Humphreys just barely got enough to convert.

Trevor Vande Hey, who by the way is an elite baseball player committed to Iowa, also completed a short pass, the first passing yards of the game for Wrightstown.

Kyle White is on the doorstep of state record

The Division 5 record for rushing yards in a state-title game is Dusty Peterson of Somerset, who ran 39 times for 211 yards in 2002.

I'm afraid Dusty's days are numbered in this particular column of the record book. White is up to 206 yards on 25 carries as Aquinas finds itself on the doorstep of a third straight state title.

Aquinas has another TOUCHDOWN after fake punt conversion, and Blugolds are off to the races

Wrightstown was forced to punt on the first drive of the second half, and it appeared as though Aquinas was lined up for a punt of its own after the Tigers finally bottled up running back Kyle White. But Brady Lehnerr faked the punt, ran 15 yards and converted the first down.

And one play later, White ran 59 yards to the house, carrying a tackler the final 2 yards.

White is up to 206 yards on 25 carries and finally has a touchdown to go with his game-changing numbers. It's officially a rout in Division 5.

AQUINAS 32, WRIGHTSTOWN 13, 7:52/3rd

Halftime numbers: Kyle White is crushing for Aquinas

Kyle White has 22 carries and 140 yards for Aquinas, helping the Blugolds battle back for 24 unanswered points after going behind, 13-0.

Brady Lehnherr has seven yards but two of the touchdowns, and David Malin has another. Aquinas is dominating on defense, allowing just two first downs while racking up 16 and keeping Wrightstown to 118 yards, with 59 of those coming on one rush by Wrightstown quarterback Trevor Vande Hey.

Vande Hey has only attempted one (incomplete) pass. Jacob Thornton is 3 for 6 for Aquinas (50 yards) and also caught a Philly Special touchdown for a conversion.

Wrightstown had a 13-0 lead at the 7:35 mark of the first quarter, but since then, it's been all Blugolds, looking for a third straight state title.

HALFTIME: Aquinas 24, Wrightstown 13

A pass from Thornton to Walter Berns is deflected incomplete in the end zone, and Wrightstown is able to hold off a demoralizing last blow. Hugh pass breakup before half.

Wrightstown will get the ball after the break, and they still have a shot in this game. But Aquinas certainly absorbed that first punch, scoring 24 unanswered points after the Tigers took an early 13-0 lead.

Aquinas down to the 13-yard line in final 10 seconds

The Blugolds just executed a 34-yard wide-receiver screen that will give Aquinas a last snap with 8 seconds left at the Wrightstown 13-yard line. Trey Bahr is the one who caught it, and this is shaping up to be a pretty tough blow to the Tigers just before half.

Wrightstown punts on 4th and 1, and now Aquinas will try for one more score before half

We're under a minute to go before halftime, and Aquinas has the ball at its own 38 yard line with all three timeouts left. Wrightstown couldn't take the risk of going for it on 4th and 1 at its own 19-yard line, and the Blugolds get one last crack with a two-score lead. Wrightstown will get the ball after halftime.

Wrightstown gets a much-needed defensive stop

Plenty of game left, but the way things have swung here made it feel like Wrightstown absolutely had to have the defensive stop it just got. A holding penalty by Aquinas pushed the Blugolds back to third and long, and it played into a throwaway.

The Tigers aren't in great field position with 3:02 left, back at their own 10-yard line (now back to the 5-yard line after a motion penalty), but it's at least a respite from the Aquinas onslaught.

In a flash, Aquinas has it back again at midfield

Having trouble even keeping up with this Aquinas all-out blitz. After a three-and-out, Wrightstown was forced to punt again, and the Blugolds returned to offense with the ball near midfield and 5 minutes to go before halftime.

Kyle White is on a mission for Aquinas, and Blugolds just scored another TOUCHDOWN

David Malin just hit the edge on a sweep from 9 yards out and out-physicaled a tackler to get across the goal line. The Blugolds go for the 2-point conversion and get it really easily, again with Malin, and suddenly Aquinas has 24 unanswered points with 6:53 to go before halftime.

Already up to 124 yards for the game, Aquinas running back Kyle White has taken over this game after Wrightstown's first haymaker. His rattled off a stretch of four powerful runs on that series: 7 yards, 13 yards, 9 yards, 10 yards. He has none of the touchdowns but is seriously doing work.

AQUINAS 24, WRIGHTSTOWN 13, 6:53/3rd

Wrightstown forced to punt it back again

Wrightstown seldom passes, but the Tigers dropped back on 4th and 8 from its own 22-yard line and man, Trevor Vande Hey had a man wide open and just missed him.

That prompts a punt, and Aquinas is going to take over at its own 49-yard line. Great field position for a Blugolds team that has seized control of the game, still with 8:38 to go in the first half.

TOUCHDOWN AQUINAS and the Philly Special for the conversion

Brady Lehnerr has two touchdowns now for the Blugolds, who looked out of sorts early in this game when they fell behind, 13-0, but they've taken the lead in the first two minutes of the second quarter.

Aquinas elects to go for a 2-point conversion and ran the Philly Special (!!) with two handoffs and then a throw back from Walter Berns back to quarterback Jacob Thornton for the conversion. Remember, these two guys started the year sharing the quarterback duties, so it was pretty natural for Berns to make that throw.

AQUINAS 16, WRIGHTSTOWN 13, 10:22/2nd

Running back Kyle White of Aquinas just bulldozed a kid

Aquinas running back Kyle White is in a groove and just plowed right over a would-be tackler on his way to a 12-yard carry on first down. Two rushes later, it was another first down, and Aquinas is on the Wrightstown 16-yard line and absolutely cooking. What a wild swing after Wrightstown took a 13-0 lead in this game.

White's up to 80 yards rushing after another charge inside the 10-yard line.

END FIRST QUARTER: Aquinas on the move again

Kyle White just gained 13 yards for Aquinas and the Blugolds are on the Wrightstown 43-yard line, looking to take the lead at the end of the first quarter.

The edge is still 13-8, but Aquinas is up to 113 yards of offense (with Wrightstown at 83) and seven first downs. White has 10 rushes for 53 yards.

Amazing interview with Laurenz Plattner after his game-winning field goal

Still thinking about the Division 6 final; check out this great interview with Karely Marotta, who spoke to Stratford kicker Laurenz Plattner. The German foreign exchange student won the game for the Tigers on an untimed down.

Wrightstown has lost its early swagger, but Aquinas pinned deep

The Tigers go three and out and have to punt it back, though the Blugolds mishandled the punt and wound up having to fall on it at the 6-yard line. That's where the drive starts, still with 2:45 to go in the first quarter.

TOUCHDOWN AQUINAS

And ... we're back to a tight game.

Brady Lehnherr took a direct snap on 4th and short from the 2-yard line and plowed his way forward, reaching across the goal line for a touchdown. Then, Aquinas converted the conversion, too, with David Malin marching in.

Wrightstown certainly drew first blood, but now it's back to a 5-point game. We've surpassed the scoring total from the Division 6 game in the first 9 minutes of the Division 5 game.

WRIGHTSTOWN 13, AQUINAS 8, 4:55/1st

Don't count out the Blugolds, obviously

This time, Aquinas takes a big swing right back

First of all, top lineman Max Maliszewski is back out there.

Second of all, Aquinas returned the kickoff to its own 41-yard line, and then Walter Berns gained 29 yards that ended with a late-hit penalty. That put the Blugolds in the red zone, and now they're looking at 3rd and 5 from the 7-yard line.

TOUCHDOWN WRIGHTSTOWN

It's a 59-yard run for Wrightstown quarterback Trevor Vande Hey, who hit the edge and managed to outrun two would-be tacklers from Aquinas. He's the team's second-leading rusher this year, and he rattles off a big play on 3rd and 7. It's the first truly big scoring play we've seen today in the state finals.

Just like that, Wrightstown is cooking, up two scores midway through the first quarter. The extra-point was no good, missed wide right.

WRIGHTSTOWN 13, AQUINAS 0, 7:35/1st

Wrightstown just playing out of its mind early

A tackle for a loss by Aiden Humphreys of Wrightstown puts Aquinas at 4th and 8 and forces a punt, meaning the Tigers will get the ball back at their own 37-yard line. Brutal start for a two-time defending champion team, with two fumbles (one lost), an injured lineman, a bad kickoff return and a 7-0 deficit.

Aquinas fumbles again but recovers this time, and key lineman is down

Aquinas running back David Malin put the ball on the turf again on the next series, though this time he recovered the drop. One of the Blugolds linemen, Max Maliszewski, is now getting attention on the field. Just a disastrous start for the two-time defending state champions.

Maliszewski is the heart and soul of the offensive line. He started season at center and wound up moving to right tackle; coach Tom Lee said he was regarded as the conference's second-best lineman overall.

He hobbles off the field.

Wrightstown recovers a fumble and three plays later has a TOUCHDOWN

Immediately, Wrightstown strikes (blu)gold. Charles Garvey forced a fumble from Aquinas running back Kyle White, and Aiden Humphreys came away with it at the 15-yard line. Three rushes later, it was Humphreys for a touchdown from 4 yards out, and the Tigers immediately grab a 7-0 lead.

Wrightstown is probably the underdog in this game, but it just came out as the aggressor. A shaky special-teams play for Aquinas turns into a loss, a fumble on first down, and three rushes to the end zone.

Wrightstown kicks off to Aquinas and we're off in Division 5

Stratford successfully defended its state championship in Division 6, can Aquinas do the same in D5? We are under way, with great coverage by the Wrightstown kickoff team setting the Blugolds up at their own 12-yard line.

One amazing game, one game with a great individual performance thus far

Quick start to the first day of state-finals football. In the first game, Edgar won big, and Karter Butt broke a D7 state record with five rushing touchdowns in a remarkable singular performance. He ran for 173 yards and also made 15 tackles. Oh yeah, and he had an interception.

Has Edgar legend Jerry Sinz thought about going out on top and calling it a career after his eighth title in 49 years?

"No, I'm not thinking about that today," he said. "I'll think about that later."

"The titles themselves don't really mean a whole lot to me, to tell you the truth. They really don't," Sinz said. "I know that fans love it, the media does. I just enjoy everyday at practice. Going on out, especially nice weather like this."

Then came Game 2, which reads like a defensive struggle at 10-7 but didn't necessarily feel like one. Stratford opened the game with a long drive and closed with one that nearly ate up the entire fourth quarter, and yet the real excitement came in the seconds after that drive ended. A stunning fumble, a second chance at a game-winning kick and a German exchange student emerging as the hero on an untimed down.

Wonder if Wrightstown vs. Aquinas or Luxemburg-Casco vs. Lodi can compete.

Division 5: Wrightstown (11-2) vs. Aquinas (12-1)

I suppose we have to keep moving forward here.

Defending champion Aquinas (12-1), which lost to Prairie du Chien (the same team that gave Darlington its only loss coming into today) will face Wrightstown (11-2), which took a late-season loss to Division 4 state finalist Luxemburg-Casco and also a setback against Xavier.

Aquinas started the year with two quarterbacks but quickly went to just Jacob Thornton under center, while Walter Berns could focus elsewhere (Aquinas coach Tom Lee calls Berns the best cornerback he's coached).

South Dakota state recruit Shane Willenbring is the player to watch here for Aquinas. Two-way player David Malin committed to walk on at Wisconsin as a wrestler.

Along the way to get to Madison, Aquinas beat Columbus in Level 3, 20-13, beating another defending state champion.

Wrightstown coach Steve Klister said he was really encouraged by the late-season loss to Luxemburg-Casco in a rainstorm, believing it showed the Tigers could show well in the playoffs, and they've won all four games by multiple scores.

Aiden Humphreys has rushed for more than 1,500 yards this season for Wrightstown, which has completed fewer than 30 passes this year.

Final stats for Stratford-Darlington

A 22-play, 89-yard drive didn't end in the winning points, but it may have set up Stratford for a crazy finish after the Tigers wrestled away their third turnover of the game.

Darlington was held to 98 total yards (zero through the air) and just eight first downs, but so much of that was the deficit in time of possession, 29 minutes to 18.

Stratford running back Koehler Kilty only finished with 85 yards on 25 carries, but he did have a big touchdown and a monster fourth quarter. Jack Tubbs had 45 yards rushing and 44 yards passing but it feels like that belies his impact.

Stratford only had 195 total yards itself.

Reagan Jackson had nine tackles and a rushing touchdown for Darlington but also the key fumble at the end. Talan Crist also had nine tackles. All four of Darlington's final games this season were decided by one score.

FINAL: Stratford 10, Darlington 7

I'm struggling to wrap my head around this one.

• An insane final drive that uses nearly 11:30 of clock.

• Darlington blocks Stratford's field goal.

• Darlington tries to run out the clock for overtime and fumbles it away in its own territory. But first, it passes deep and allows for enough time to be remaining.

• A Stratford pass is stopped at the 3-yard line and time expires, but a holding penalty gives the Tigers an untimed down.

• Laurenz Plattner (a foreign exchange student from Germany!!) kicks the game-winning field goal from a farther distance than the kick that was blocked.

• I think those were his first two field-goal attempts of the season?

Stratford now has nine state titles, matching St. Mary Springs for the most in state history. Just an incredible wild ride.

This time, the field goal is GOOD and Stratford wins a STUNNER as German foreign exchange student Laurenz Plattner wins it

What a crazy opportunity for redemption.

After the 24-yarder that appeared to be a game-winning try was blocked, Stratford kicker Laurenz Plattner got another shot, this time from 32 yards on an untimed down, and he buried it. The Tigers win the game with zeroes on the clock, 10-7.

Stratford milked more than 11 minutes off the clock in the fourth quarter with a single drive, missed the kick, managed to take the ball away and made the most of a final penalty. WOW.

Holy smokes, we're going to get an untimed down?

Jack Tubbs just lofted a pass to Alec Chapel, and he was down at the 3-yard line, but there's a lot more going on than just that. Time expired on the play, it seemed, but Darlington was flagged for a holding penalty, and Stratford coach Jason Tubbs wants officials to review to see if 1 second remains on the clock. If so, Stratford would be able to line up for another game-winning field goal.

If not, they could still take the penalty, which will back them up quite a bit from the 3 but still give them one last shot around roughly the 15-yard line.

Time did expire, so the ball will be placed at the 15-yard line, about 12 yards from where he was tackled, but Stratford still gets one last shot after using its last timeout.

WHOA Stratford just recovered a fumble in Darlington territory

Darlington was trying to wind down the clock and made an incomprehensible error, a fumble that Alec Chapel picked out of the air with 6 seconds left. Stratford has it at the 25-yard line!

Stratford has two timeouts and the game isn't over yet!

The game-winning kick is BLOCKED by Darlington

We're going to overtime (I think).

The kick was blocked, and we're still tied at 7 with 23 seconds left. It was a remarkable 11 minute, 27 second drive that nearly absorbed the entire fourth quarter, but it ends with no points and Darlington comes away with a chance.

It looks like Regan Jackson, whose rushing touchdown accounts for the Redbirds' only points, is the guy who got that kick.

Here comes a 4th and 2 from the 7-yard line. High drama.

It's about a 24-yard field goal coming up for Stratford kicker Laurenz Plattner, who has made 22 of 24 extra points this season, unless the Tigers elect to go for it. What a finish. Game tied at 7.

First down, Gavin Leonhardt and Stratford, and we are under a minute to go!

Holy smokes, Stratford might just win this game by holding the ball for the entire quarter.

Gavin Leonhardt caught a fourth-down pass and broke a tackle for a 13-yard gain on 4th and 6, putting Stratford inside the red zone. It's now 3rd and 7 at the 12-yard line with 48 seconds left. What a remarkable drive. Darlington held the ball for one play in this quarter, a punt down to the 4-yard line.

Shades of a 23-play drive that Homestead had to kill all the clock for a win over Waukesha West in 2015.

Kilty is back in, and Stratford facing fourth down

Jack Tubbs picked up six yards on first down, and Kilty checked back in for another yard on second down, but the Tigers found themselves facing 4th and 1 from the 21 after Gavin Leonhardt was stopped short.

But then: a false start penalty by the Tigers sends them back five yards. Ouch.

Is Stratford just going to ride this drive to the finish line? Maybe, but is Koehler Kilty hurt?

Remember the first quarter when Stratford used up 8:35 of clock, even only to go 40 yards? The Tigers are doing the same thing here. It's down to 3:54 left in this 7-7 game, and Stratford has had the ball since 11:50 in the fourth.

The Tigers just got another first down from Koehler Kilty and have the ball at the Darlington 30-yard line. It was Stratford's third third-down conversion on this drive, but Kilty landed awkwardly and is walking to the sideline with trainers after needing attention on the Darlington boundary.

Obviously a huge blow if he's lost for the rest of the game, but Stratford is in good shape with a first down and the ball at the Darlington 30.

Koehler Kilty of Stratford is finding his groove

Darlington has been able to keep Stratford running back Koehler Kilty in check for most of this game, but he's breaking through on this drive. He's taken the ball on seven of the first eight plays, and he's up to 18 carries for 59 yards. He just converted a 3rd and 5 by picking up six hard-earned yards.

Follow that up with a Jack Tubbs run for about seven yards, and Stratford finds itself near midfield with 6:33 left in this game.

What a punt by Maddox Goebel

What injury? Goebel rolled out when he took the snap and sent a booming kick that stopped short of the goal line and bounced slightly backward, meaning Stratford will be pinned on its own 4-yard line for the first offensive snaps of the fourth quarter.

END THIRD QUARTER: Darlington and Stratford tied at 7

Stratford's defense has held strong here, and Darlington will face 4th and 13 from the 41-yard line of Stratford when we resume the fourth quarter. Carter Lueck just picked up a sack for Stratford, covering up Breylin Goebel for a loss of two yards. Lueck was also in on the preceding tackle to hold Tye Crist to a loss.

The team's punter, Maddox Goebel, just left the game with an injury and got taped up on the sideline, but this could be an adventurous punt.

Darlington fumbles, but Stratford can't corral the recovery

Maddox Goebel lost control of the football right out of his hip pocket as he took a hit on his way to the edge, and Stratford's Cole Tichy had it in his hands for what would have been his second takeaway today, but he lost control of it as it sputtered toward the sideline out of bounds.

Big missed opportunity for Stratford. Goebel needs some medical attention before walking to the sideline, but Darlington still has it with a minute left in the third quarter at the Stratford 37-yard line.

Darlington grabs momentum right back with some hard-hitting defense

It was Talan Crist bringing down Stratford quarterback Jack Tubbs for a loss of six yards following a false start, then Maddox Goebel and Reagan Jackson combining on another tackle for a loss of four yards when Tubbs couldn't find anyone downfield. Stratford wound up facing 4th and 23 and had to punt it away right back to Darlington with less than 3 minutes to go in the third quarter.

It was a good punt, but the Redbirds still have the ball just shy of midfield.

Stratford seizes control of momentum with impressive defensive stop

For the second straight state final, the team that felt like it had the momentum at halftime doesn't have it midway through the third quarter.

Stratford, which has tied a game that it trailed at the break, just forced a three-and-out with some swarming tackles. Matt Folz had a big one to drop Tye Crist for no gain on third and seven, and now the Tigers are getting the ball back at their own 32-yard line with 5:53 left in the third quarter of a 7-7 game.

After Jack Tubbs keeps his cool for a big pass, Stratford has a game-tying touchdown

Despite a snap that landed on the ground, Stratford quarterback Jack Tubbs picked it up and fired a pass to Jett Schoenherr that turned into a 14-yard pickup on third and 8. Two plays later, the Tigers had scored their first points of the game.

Koehler Kilty ran in from 9 yards out, finding the right pylon to get his team on the board. The Tigers immediately cash in a turnover and tie this game.

DARLINGTON 7, STRATFORD 7, 8:05/3rd

Darlington gets it first in the second half, but Stratford recovers a fumble and is immediately in business

Darlington picked up a first down on the first series of the second half, but then the Redbirds put the ball on the ground, and Stratford has a golden opportunity to tie this game.

It's first and 10 on the 29-yard line after Stratford recovered the fumble. Landon Zawislan, who was Stratford's top tackler in the first half, gets the ball.

Some halftime numbers (not much to report)

Nothing is going to jump out at you in the halftime numbers of this game. Koehler Kilty has just nine carries for 19 yards for Stratford, which might be the most notable nugget given that he came into the game with more than 1,800 yards on the ground.

Breylin Goebel and Tye Crist both have 29 yards rushing for Darlington, and Goebel has only thrown one (incomplete) pass. Jack Tubbs is 3 for 5 passing for Stratford, with 17 yards through the air.

Ross Crist has four tackles to lead the Darlington defense, while Alec Chapel and Landon Zawislan both have five for Stratford. Zawislan has 1.5 tackles for loss.

HALFTIME: Darlington 7, Stratford 0

A final heave is intercepted by Darlington, so a free takeaway for the Redbirds and the half comes to an end.

The teams have combined for only 131 yards and 11 first downs, but it's Darlington that has the narrow edge thanks to a short touchdown by Reagan Jackson.

Roger Volkening gets the interception to couple with his half-sack from earlier in the half.

Stratford's Cole Tichy with a massive interception in the end zone

I thought Darlington might take a shot and then try a field goal, but the throw into double coverage was a bad one, and Stratford's Cole Tichy came away with the interception in the corner of the end zone That short-circuits the drive just before halftime, with 13 seconds left to spare.

Jack Tubbs then takes it 18 yards on the first carry, putting the ball at the 38-yard line of the Tigers. That's a long way for a desperation heave, but there are still 7 seconds left as Stratford calls timeout.

Stratford commits big pass interference penalty, but time running out in first half

It's four penalties now for the Tigers (none for Darlington), and a pass interference call on a long pass down the field sets Darlington up at the Stratford 23-yard line. Darlington uses its second timeout, trying to pick up more points and supplement a 7-0 lead but just 1:03 remaining in the first half.

Hard count coaxes Stratford into a penalty on fourth down

Facing fourth and 3, Darlington rushed to the line (they've already hurried some snaps today), but this time it was a just a hard count by quarterback Breylin Goebel and sure enough, he coaxed a Stratford player into the neutral zone to trigger an offsides penalty.

Stratford smothers Goebel on the next snap, though, and Darlington calls timeout facing 2nd and 14 at the 38-yard line with 1:17 to go before halftime.

Stratford's Koehler Kilty being kept in check and Darlington gets it back

Stratford star running back Koehler Kilty has just 19 yards on 9 carries and was just stopped for no gain on 3rd and 2. That means another punt for Stratford, and once again, the wind pushes back the punt and gives Darlington an opportunity with the ball at the Stratford 45-yard line and still 3:03 left in the first half.

Kilty averaged 7.5 yards per rush in the regular season but is at just 2.1 thus far today.

Touchdown, Darlington

Stratford expected the handoff to go to Crist, and that opened a lane for Reagan Jackson, who just ran it in from 5 yards out for the first touchdown of the game. Just his second carry today, and he cashes it in. It's an 11-play, 47-yard scoring drive.

Darlington's defense was able to survive the first long, tedious drive by Stratford and seems to have seized control ever since.

Still no passes from the Redbirds, but up to 60 yards rushing.

DARLINGTON 7, STRATFORD 0, 5:01/2nd

Darlington goes for it on 4th and 1, and barely gets it

Big call from the 8-yard line, where Darlington went for it on 4th and 1, and Tye Crist pounded his way for the yard to the 7-yard line. Fewer than 6 minutes to go, and Darlington is knocking on the door.

Tye Crist picks up 15 yards and Darlington is in the red zone

Tye Crist just rumbled for 15 yards, bringing a Stratford tackler with him for the last couple, and Darlington is inside the 20-yard line.

Prior to that, Darlington quarterback Breylin Goebel logged 5 yards on a 3rd and short, and he's up to 17 yards on the ground. Goebel had 815 passing yards this year, and the Redbirds aren't afraid of throwing it a bit, but all 14 plays have been on the ground so far.

It's now 3rd and 6 at the Stratford 15-yard line with 6:15 to go.

Stratford forced into quick three and out

This drive won't eat up two-thirds of a quarter on the clock like the last one did. Stratford's third-down pass between Jack Tubbs and receiver Jett Schoenherr was left 3 yards short of the marker, and Darlington gets the ball back after a punt with good field position, on the Stratford 47-yard line.

Wind has picked up here at Camp Randall Stadium, and that may have influenced the punt. Still scoreless here with 9:36 before halftime.

END FIRST QUARTER (already): Scoreless

A crazy-long first drive for Stratford chewed up most of the first quarter, but the Tigers should be getting the ball back now that Darlington is facing 4th and 9th just shy across midfield.

It's scoreless after the game's first 12 minutes.

Darlington indeed punts on the first play of the second quarter, leading into another timeout. Stratford has it back at its own 14-yard line.

On 4th and 13, Stratford's drive finally dies

Quarterback Jack Tubbs shook a would-be sack when a Darlington player basically flew over him on 4th and 13, but Tubbs can't elude additional pressure, and Stratford's time-consuming first drive dies at the Darlington 38-yard line.

The opening drive of the game chewed up 8:35 of clock but didn't even travel all that far, which really only traveled 35 yards on the field (39 yards of total offense).

A 14-play drive comes up empty. Roger Volkening had three tackles, including half a sack, for Darlington. That's a player who broke his leg early in the season and didn't return until Week 9.

Running back with the ball called for a facemask? Unusual

Stratford's Gavin Leonhardt had a gritty tackle-breaking run for a first down but got flagged for grabbing a would-be tackler's facemask, which you sure don't see called very often.

Nonetheless, Stratford does get credit for the first down. There's 4:33 left in the first quarter and we're still on the first possession of the game, with the Tigers on the Darlington 32-yard line.

Koehler Kilty only 9 yards on first four carries but still converts first down

Kilty barely gets the yardage he needs for Stratford to record a first down on 3rd and 2; it looked initially like it might be another 4th down play upcoming. Instead, the Tigers move the chains and have it at Darlington's 44 yard line (though now back to the 49 after a motion penalty).

A sharp tackle by Darlington's Dante Glendenning kept a Stratford sweep neutralized, but it wound up going for naught when Stratford converted.

It's an early 4th and 1 conversion for the Tigers

With Gavin Leonhardt stopped just short of a first down, Stratford elects to go for it on 4th and 1 from its own 44 and immediately cashes it in when Koehler Kilty converts up to the 46-yard line. Leonhardt sheds a couple tacklers across midfield for another seven yards as the Tigers keep plowing forward.

We are under way; Stratford has the ball first

Stratford gets the ball first and nice field position at the 35-yard line after the kick goes out of bounds

Stratford, wearing metallic black helmets that are catching the Madison sun, are adorned in white uniforms with orange trim. Darlington is wearing their all-black uniforms and helmets.

We are off.

Stratford can pass the ball, too

One thing that makes Stratford stand out over the other small-school squads in today's finals: They'll pass the ball.

Jack Tubbs, the son of Stratford head coach Jason Tubbs, has thrown the ball 100 times this year with 74 completions and just one interception, good for 1,377 yards and 24 touchdowns. That's pretty eye popping, especially when you consider the team has the running back who's rushed for more yards than anyone at state this season.

Division 6: Stratford (12-1) vs. Darlington (12-1)

We're moving ahead to Division 6.

Stratford comes in looking for a ninth state championship and chance to tie St. Mary Springs for the most in WIAA history. Running back Koehler Kilty, who nearly ran for 200 yards last year to lead the Tigers to a state title, is back and ran for 1,834 yards this year, the most of any state finalist. He also leads the team in tackles, so similar to Karter Butt from Edgar in the D7 game.

Darlington had to survive three close playoff games, one-score wins over Mineral Point, Lancaster and Kewaunee to get this far. The Redbirds have made 13 trips to the state finals, one shy of Edgar for the most in state history.

Stratford took a lopsided loss to Edgar in Week 2, 40-6, but has mostly rolled since then. Darlington's lone loss came to Prairie du Chien in Week 2, 21-19; Prairie du Chien also handed Aquinas its lone loss this year, too. Aquinas will play for the Division 5 crown up next.

Great stat: The Darlington roster has seven players with the last name "Crist" on it, including leading rusher Tye Crist, whose late fourth-quarter interception helped hold off Lancaster in Level 3. Tye's brother Talan and first cousin Ross is also on the team.

Then you have Eli and Isaac (brothers), with first cousin Calum. The two sets of dads for these two groups are cousins.

Then, Cooper Crist is a distant cousin of all. Got all that? Three of the Crists are on the offensive line: Eli, Talan and Ross.

Darlington's wild ride to state has included Brady Long's 29-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter to help beat Kewaunee, a team led by running back Owen Carlson (a player coach Travis Winkers regards as the best runner he's seen over the past few years).

Stratford was ranked fourth and Darlington fifth in the last coaches' poll, so this could be a pretty fun matchup.

Final numbers from Edgar's win over Black Hawk/Warren

Edgar's eighth state title matches Kimberly and Stratford for the second most in state history (with St. Mary Springs holding the record at nine). That record might only last another couple hours, with Stratford about to play Darlington in the Division 6 final.

Karter Butt is the early favorite for player of the day: 171 yards rushing, a state-record five touchdowns, 15 tackles, an interception. Tough to top.

Edgar's yardage advantage was only 256-233, and both teams converted the same number of third downs (6 of 9 for Edgar, 6 of 12 for Black Hawk). Black Hawk actually had 14 first downs to Edgar's 12. But Edgar hauled in three second-half turnovers after Black Hawk had the only takeaway of the first half, and that was a desperation throw by Edgar in the final seconds that turned into a harmless interception. Black Hawk also had the edge in time of possession.

Owen Seffrood had 17 carries for 96 yards to lead Black Hawk/Warren.

Edgar racked up 6.1 yards per play, compared to 4.3 for Black Hawk/Warren.

FINAL: Edgar 36, Black Hawk/Warren (Ill.) 6

Jerry Sinz, the second all-time winningest coach in state history, just brought home his seventh state championship for Edgar. It's a lopsided win thanks in large part to senior Karter Butt, with five touchdowns (a new Division 7 record), 171 yards rushing, a team-best 15 tackles and an interception.

Three more football games to go today.

Karter Butt given a big ovation as he trots off the field

Edgar coach Jerry Sinz took a chance to get Karter Butt his own round of applause. The senior leaves the game with a state record and an incredible all-around performance to lead the Wildcats to a state championship.

It's falling action here. Edgar's 256-215 yardage advantage isn't as eye popping as you might imagine, but turnovers and special teams helped put the Wildcats in primo position for short drives to paydirt.

Black Hawk/Warren is on the Edgar 28-yard line with 1:06 to go. Again, the Warriors could still become the second team to score double digits against Edgar this year.

Edgar has also played clean football throughout

The Wildcats just committed a false start — significant because it's Edgar's first penalty of the game.

Edgar is just running out the clock now and just subbed out its starters with 5:30 left in this game. Edgar is about to win an eighth gold ball, tied for the second most in state history and one back of St. Mary Springs.

Karter Butt just intercepted it for Edgar, because of course

Black Hawk/Warren just committed its third turnover of the second half, and of course it was Karter Butt who picked off the pass. He shoveled it to Tucker Streit thereafter, and Streit was able to bring it back to the Edgar 30-yard line.

Butt now has, to review, 171 yards rushing on 19 carries. A state-title record five touchdowns. A team leading 13 tackles. An interception. Wild morning.

There's 5:56 to go. This game was 14-6 at halftime but has fallen apart for Black Hawk/Warren, and it's 36-6, Edgar.

The headline to this game should be Butt: Of course.

Owen Seffrood having a nice day for Black Hawk/Warren, too

Owen Seffrood is up to 81 yards on 14 carries for Black Hawk/Warren, which has had some success moving the ball on this drive in the fourth quarter, but Edgar has subbed out many of its starters on defense (although some have also checked back in, too).

Still, the Warriors are on the 25-yard line of Edgar, looking to become the second team this year to register double digits on Edgar's defense.

Karter Butt just set a new record with his fifth rushing touchdown

The Division 7 rushing touchdown record has been reset by Karter Butt.

The Edgar bruiser just went for another 4-yard score, breaking the previous record of four touchdowns owned by Isaac Tuttle of Glenwood City back in 2012 and Cody Rosemeyer of Gilman in 2010. Only one player (Sam Santiago-Lloyd of Brookfield East in 2016) has recorded five touchdowns in any division.

He's up to 171 yards, and Edgar is winning a rout, 36-6.

EDGAR 36, BLACK HAWK/WARREN 6, 9:52/4th

Edgar scoops up a fumble and the Wildcats are looking for more as third quarter ends

Karter Butt has tied for the most touchdowns rushing (four) in a Division 7 title game, and there's still a full quarter of football remaining. I'd say he's in reach, and now the Wildcats have the ball inside the Black Hawk/Warren 30-yard line after the second Warriors turnover of the half.

Kohlbe Weisenberger scooped up the ball that was jarred loose from Warriors quarterback Eli Schliem and ran it 19 yards the other way.

Karter Butt is up to 165 yards rushing.

END THIRD QUARTER: EDGAR 29, BLACK HAWK/WARREN 6

That's FOUR touchdowns for Karter Butt

What a day for Karter Butt of Edgar.

On 4th and 3, Butt took a carry and surged right through the Black Hawk/Warren line on his way to a fourth touchdown run, a 20-yard gain that feels like a dagger for the Wildcats, who now have a 29-6 lead with 3:50 to go in the third quarter. Lots of ballgame left, of course, but Black Hawk isn't a passing team and isn't likely to rack up points in a hurry against Edgar's elite defense.

For the third time today, Edgar lines up for an extra point, but this is the first time the Wildcats actually kicked it.

That's 16 carries, 155 yards, and four touchdowns for Karter Butt, with a team-leading 11 tackles for good measure.

EDGAR 29, BLACK HAWK/WARREN 6, 3:50/3rd

INTERCEPTED by Tucker Streit for Edgar

Black Hawk has been 2 of 3 passing, but Eli Schliem just threw a ball right to sophomore Tucker Streit, who grabbed the interception for Edgar and has the Wildcats inside the Black Hawk/Warren 27-yard line. Edgar can perhaps register a dagger with 6:30 left in the third quarter.

Streit is the cousin of senior quarterback Teegan Streit.

Karter Butt just grabbed a fumble on first down for Edgar and gained a yard, so the Wildcats avert giving it right back. He then eludes some tacklers on a rush outside but the play had been whistled dead (oops, I think?) and kept Butt from getting a big gain.

Karter Butt has his third touchdown for Edgar

On 3rd and 1 from the 29-yard line, Karter Butt breaks a couple tackles and rumbles to the pylon at the left side of the end zone, giving him his third touchdown of the day and replenishing Edgar's lead to 22-6 with 8:04 left in the third quarter.

Teegan Streit took the snap as the presumed holder for an extra-point kick, but it was a fake, and he had nothing but daylight as he stormed in for the 2-point conversion.

Butt, who has a team-high 11 tackles, is up to 14 carries for 134 yards and three scores.

EDGAR 22, BLACK HAWK/WARREN 6, 8:04/3rd

Black Hawk/Warren faces 4th and 1 and elects to punt, with Edgar getting a big return

Edgar's Kohlbe Weisenberger made the tackle that left Black Hawk/Warren a yard short of the first down at the 21-yard line, and the Warriors elected to punt. It went poorly, with Edgar's Karter Butt returning it 16 yards to the Black Hawk/Warren 38-yard line, so the Wildcats are in business with less than 10 minutes to go in the third quarter and up, 14-6.

Second half is under way, and Black Hawk gets first crack

Edgar still has the yardage advantage, 152-106, but Black Hawk is much closer after a 78-yard scoring drive that ended with the final 15 seconds of the first half. Lane Marty with the touchdown for the Warriors and, by the way, an interception to end the first half on Edgar's desperation heave.

The Warriors commit a penalty on the second-half kickoff, so they'll be backed up to start the first drive after halftime, back to the 20-yard line.

Check that, it's at the 12. Edgar coach Jerry Sinz conferenced with officials and apparently convinced them that the penalty should be assessed farther back.

HALFTIME: Edgar leads 14-6 over Black Hawk/Warren

It feels like Edgar dominated that half, but Black Hawk/Warren's final drive has turned the game on its head, with a touchdown that pulls the Warriors within 8 points. They become the fifth team to score any points on Edgar this year, and they get the second half kickoff.

Edgar's Karter Butt: 12 carries, 102 yards rushing, two touchdowns and a team-leading 10 tackles on defense. Not bad!

Edgar gets to try a desperation play

Karter Butt is up over 100 yards rushing, and Edgar will try one last snap from its own 44-yard line with 3 seconds left. Edgar's not a passing team, either, but might as well give it a shot. Black Hawk/Warren will receive the second-half kickoff.

Touchdown, Black Hawk/Warren, in the final seconds of the first half

What a massive swing for Black Hawk/Warren. Indeed, the Warriors turned to the air, and a 6-yard pass between Eli Schliem and Lane Marty cut into the lead.

Marty doesn't have any receiving stats in the media guide, with three receivers accounting for 32 catches (though Schliem was credited with 35 completions this year). Needless to say, it's not a typical approach.

Edgar tacklers, however, conspired, to stuff Marty at the goal line on the 2-point attempt, so it's no good. Jase Apfelbeck gets credit for the tackle. Still, it's a 16-play, 78-yard drive that chews up nearly 6 minutes and allows Black Hawk/Warren to pull within a score after getting dominated most of this first half.

Marty also picked up 4 yards on a previous first down, stopping the clock momentarily and letting Black Hawk spike the ball with no timeouts left. His touchdown came on 2nd and 6 with 20 seconds to go.

EDGAR 14, BLACK HAWK/WARREN 6, 0:15/2nd

Black Hawk on the 10-yard line but time is running out

Triple-option for the win.

Most of the defense thought Lane Marty had the ball, but it was Owen Seffrood who took the carry on 4th and 1 and he wound up getting 9 yards for the conversion. Quarterback Eli Schliem picked up another 8 yards on first down, but now it's 2nd and 2 from the 10-yard line with 26 seconds to go before half.

Black Hawk/Warren just used its final timeout, so it's going to have to move fast if it gets stopped short of the goal line.

Warriors need to call timeout as they face 4th and 1

Black Hawk/Warren still has one timeout left but had to call timeout with a 4th and 1 upcoming and 51 seconds left in the first half. The ball's at the 27-yard line, and for a team that only completed only 35 passes all season, it's probably still going to happen through the running game. That makes this feel a little more uphill than it might otherwise.

But if Black Hawk/Warren can score, it'll have pulled within a touchdown and get the ball to start the second half. Crucial play upcoming.

Black Hawk/Warren finally making some headway vs. elite Edgar defense

Again, Edgar allowed zero points in nine straight games this year, so scoring on them isn't going to be easy. But Black Hawk/Warren is having its best drive of the game.

The Warriors already have three first downs on this drive after recording just one in the game to this point. The third was a 3rd and 8 run by Owen Seffrood, who weaved through defenders to pick up 18 for the team's biggest play of the game.

Andrew Figi got lit up by Karter Butt of Edgar but still recorded a first-down reception for the first of the conversions.

Butt, who's pushing 100 yards rushing and has two touchdowns, also leads Edgar with seven tackles thus far. He led the Wildcats in both departments during the regular season.

Black Hawk is to the Edgar 30-yard line with 1:24 to go. Time running out to punch it in.

The Warriors get their first stop with 6:04 left before halftime

Karter Butt is up to 94 yards rushing for Edgar, but Black Hawk/Warren gets the stop this time, and the Warriors will take over at their own 22 with 6:04 to go, looking for their first points of the game. They can sure make this interesting still before halftime.

Edgar's lead is 14-0.

Wildcats now 5 of 5 on third-down conversions

Edgar is now 5 for 5 on third down conversions, though a dangerous pass by Teegan Streit was very nearly intercepted by Black Hawk in Edgar territory.

There's 7:44 left in the first half, and though this drive hasn't included any chunk plays yet, the Wildcats have control of the football game thus far. Karter Butt is up to 10 carries for 90 yards.

We'll see if the streak continues on a 3rd and 11 from the Edgar 37-yard line.

Edgar needs a timeout, but Black Hawk needs a stop

Edgar uses its first timeout but has been comfortable thus far, with an overall yardage advantage of 122-28 and 3 for 3 on third down. Could these Wildcats go 10 for their first 10 like the other Wildcats did on this same field on Saturday?

Black Hawk/Warren has to punt

The Warriors threw Edgar for a loss and dropped them back to inside their own 20-yard line to start the next drive, but Black Hawk/Warren had to surrender the ball again and is facing a bit of a danger zone early in the second quarter.

End first quarter: Edgar has a two-score lead

Black Hawk is facing a 3rd and 10 after a penalty for early movement, but they'll be switching sides as we finish the first quarter with Edgar ahead, 14-0.

Black Hawk has its first first-down on a great fake by Eli Schliem

I was sure the ball had been handed off on 3rd and 1 near midfield, but Black Hawk/Warren quarterback Eli Schliem kept it and got the necessary yardage. The Wing-T offense is confusing for defenses and definitely for folks watching the game.

After an ugly start to this game, Black Hawk is finally moving the ball a little bit and just crossed midfield in the final minute of the first quarter.

Touchdown, Edgar, as Karter Butt scores again

Great news for Edgar. First of all, Teegan Streit missed only one play before returning to the field (albeit a bit gingerly). And two plays later, Edgar was in the end zone.

Karter Butt stretched across the goal line for the final inches of his 4-yard touchdown run, and he's now got two scores today with 2:54 left in the first quarter. Review (yes, they have that for these games) upheld the score.

Butt is up to 33 touchdowns on the year and 87 yards rushing on nine carries in this game. Edgar was going to kick the extra point, but an offsides by Black Hawk/Warren moves the ball a yard closer, and now the Wildcats will go for two, already with a 14-0 lead.

Black Hawk/Warren finally gets a bit of momentum. Butt got met head-on as he tried to pick up the conversion and got stonewalled by Bryce VanRaalte of the Warriors.

EDGAR 14, BLACK HAWK/WARREN 0, 2:54/1st

Teegan Streit with another first-down run, but the Edgar quarterback is injured

Teegan Streit didn't do much running this year (249 yards, but he's up to 31 yards on three carries as he gains 9 yards and another Edgar first down with 4:13 left in the first quarter.

But the bad news is that he hasn't gotten up off the turf yet, with trainers hovering over him at the 10-yard line. He's brought to his feet but looks a little worse for wear, and he limps to the sideline. Worth noting, even as Edgar sets up shop at the 10-yard line looking for a two-score lead.

Sophomore Tucker Streit takes his cousin's place under center.

Karter Butt with another big run to put Edgar in business again

Karter Butt with a 22-yard run on first down right up the gut, and he's already up to 72 yards rushing for Edgar as the Wildcats move the ball inside the Black Hawk/Warren 30-yard line.

Butt came into the game needing 227 yards for 2,000 on the year, and early returns suggest that's in reach.

Interesting that we saw a pass on second down; Teegan Streit only threw 82 passes all year, but he completes one for 3 yards, setting up a first-down run by Butt that gave Edgar a new set of downs on the Black Hawk 22-yard line. About 5 minutes left in the first quarter.

Edgar gets the defensive stop and gets the ball back midway through the first

Owen Seffrood had a run that set up 3rd and 1 for Black Hawk/Warren, but a motion penalty and short gain on third down forced the Warriors to punt it back to Edgar. It's a short punt, too, and Edgar will take over on its own 45-yard line, already with an 8-0 lead and 6:58 to go in the first quarter.

Edgar's Brett Baumgartner had the tackle for no gain on third down.

Near disaster on first snap for Black Hawk/Warren

Warriors quarterback Eli Schliem fumbled the first snap of the game for Black Hawk/Warren but was able to grab it and even gain a yard. Before the team gets another snap, though, Black Hawk/Warren calls timeout, so a bit of an ugly start for the Warriors.

The Warriors opened their first drive of the game on their own 32-yard line. The team has a pair of 1,200-yard rushers, including Lane Marty (1,408 yards) and Owen Seffrood (1,233).

Touchdown Edgar, and Wildcats take 8-0 lead

Karter Butt took a handoff, bounced outside to the left and had green grass all the way to the end zone, a 42-yard run that represents Butt's 32nd rushing touchdown of the year. The Wildcats strike first.

Two Black Hawk defenders ran into each other on the play, which helped spring Butt. It had been 3rd and 13, but an offsides penalty made it 3rd and 8.

Kohlbe Weisenberger then takes a handoff and gets outside to the left again to convert the 2-point conversion. Edgar has kicked extra points during the season, but not that time.

That's a six-play drive that covered 68 yards in 2:36.

EDGAR 8, BLACK HAWK/WARREN 0, 9:23/1st

Quarterback Teegan Streit picks up game's initial first downs

Edgar quarterback Teegan Streit kept the ball for 12 yards and a first down to open the game, then scrambles his way around Warriors defenders for another one to the Black Hawk 44-yard line. Edgar is already cooking early in the first quarter.

Kohlbe Weisenberger was drilled in the backfield back at the 50 on the first-down snap, with Warriors leading tackler Will Stietz sniffing it out.

Edgar will get the ball first in the day's first state final

Black Hawk/Warren, wearing gray jerseys with black numbers and orange trim, will kick the ball off to Edgar in their white jerseys and green pants and helmet. Let's play (a lot of) football!

Is high-school participation in Wisconsin falling?

I wrote this morning about high-school football in Wisconsin and whether or not the decline in participation is alarming. It's a complex question that doesn't have an obvious "yes" or "no" answer, though I suppose the bottom line winds up being that the WIAA and state football coaches association aren't worried and view recent data as showing growth.

There's a lot to digest though.

The student section not filling in great today

(That's a joke!)

A familiar face for Badgers fans will work radio broadcasts

Former Badgers linebacker Chris Orr is in the booth for ESPN Madison doing broadcasts of the games. Orr had a great career at Wisconsin and is a great presence for radio. He had one of my favorite quotes from 2019.

These two teams have recent history in the state final

In 2019, Black Hawk/Warren defeated Edgar, 6-0, in the Division 7 championship game. Edgar had four fourth-quarter drives that crossed into Black Hawk territory in that game, but the Warriors kept the Wildcats out of the red zone each time.

In 2018 (before Warren joined the co-op), Black Hawk got the best of Edgar in the D7 games, 22-15. Kyle Lovelace scored a go-ahead touchdown in the final seconds of the third quarter, and the Black Hawk defense made that stand.

That's pretty good success for the Warriors against one of the great programs in state history. Prior to that, Edgar had won its previous three state final games and four of five going back to 2001.

Black Hawk made three straight trips to the state final but fell short in 2017 to Bangor before coming back to win the back-to-back crowns. Black Hawk also won the title in 2013, so if you discount the changing of the guard that came with the co-op, it's been three titles in four trips over the past decade. The program also went to state in 1998 in Division 6 and took second.

Division 7: Black Hawk/Warren (Ill). vs. Edgar

Some pregame nuggets for your consideration:

Black Hawk/Warren (12-1) is one of three co-ops in the state of Wisconsin that include kids from Illinois, and they're all in the same conference (Six Rivers). Black Hawk coach Desie Braedon said roughly 16 players out of the 41 in the program hail from the Illinois side of the border.

"It's exactly what you want out of a co-op," he said on the coaches' conference call. "The administrations on both sides have been great with communication and working together. Both communities have been fantastic and supporting and the kids mesh awesome."

The squad took a loss to Potosi/Cassville midseason, 20-14, and then came back with a vengeance in Level 3 with a 36-0 win over the same foe. The Warriors haven't been tested in the playoffs.

Great stat: Andrew Figi leads the team with 18 receptions (they run the ball, obviously). He also leads the team with 12 interceptions. And he's the punter, of course.

Brothers Will and Drew Stietz lead the team in tackling, with cousin Brady leading the team in sacks.

Edgar (12-1) is one of the pre-eminent football programs in the state of Wisconsin. This is their 14th trip to the final (one ahead of Darlington, who plays next, for most in WIAA state history), and the Wildcats are looking for gold ball No. 8.

Edgar lost the first game of the season, 8-6, and hasn't lost since, including four lopsided playoff wins. The most impressive win came in Week 2, a 40-6 win over Stratford — a team that will play for the Division 6 state title next.

Great stat: After allowing 8 points and 6 points in the first two games of the season, Edgar rattled off a ridiculous nine straight shutouts. NINE.

Then came a 52-26 win over Boyceville in Level 3 and a 21-3 over Bangor last week to get to Madison.

Three-year starter Karter Butt is a player to watch for sure. He leads the team in rushing (1,773 yards) and tackles (104, with an interception and fumble recovery). He's a sprint relay kid and stands 5-10, 215 pounds, which is a pretty big kid for the Division 7 level.

We have arrived at Camp Randall Stadium

I think it was Wrightstown coach Steve Klister who said in the coaches' conference call that the last two times his team played at state, they absolutely froze on the sideline.

Today is not that day.

With temperatures likely to reach the 60s, it is an unusual vibe for the start of the WIAA state finals (though tomorrow stands to be a little more crisp). Edgar just headed through the tunnel for warmups, and they'll be pursuing an eighth gold ball against Black Hawk/Warren in the first game of the day.

We're under an hour from kickoff. Stick with us for updates all day long from Madison.

How to watch Wisconsin high school football state finals: TV channel, livestream

The games will be available on airwaves at My24 in Milwaukee (WCGV). The games will also be available in Madison (WKOW 27.2 and Spectrum channel 190), Wausau (WAOW 9.2 and Spectrum 14/610), La Crosse (WXOW 19.2 and Spectrum 15/610), Eau Claire (WQOW 18.2 and Spectrum 15/610) and Green Bay (WLUK Fox 11 and WCWF CW).

The finals will also be available to stream on those channels' websites with no additional cost. You can find one livestream at My24Milwaukee.com.

Must-read: What to know about the WIAA state football finals

Wisconsin high school football state championship game predictions

Which teams will bring home gold? Appleton Post-Crescent sports reporter Ricardo Arguello offers his predictions for all seven state championship games on Thursday and Friday.

Who are the teams playing in the Divisions 3, 2 and 1 WIAA state football championship games on Friday?

• Division 3 - Rice Lake (12-1) vs. Grafton (11-2), 10 a.m.

• Division 2 - Waunakee (13-0) vs. Badger (13-0), 1 p.m.

• Division 1 - Marquette (11-2) vs. Franklin (13-0), 4 p.m.

The best Wisconsin high school football state championship games

Earlier this week I published a story on the 25 most memorable state title games involving Milwaukee area teams. Which ones do you remember?

2022 Wisconsin high school football state champions

• Division 1 - Kimberly

• Division 2 - Kettle Moraine

• Division 3 - Monroe

• Division 4 - Columbus

• Division 5 - Aquinas

• Division 6 - Stratford

• Division 7 - Regis

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin state football championships live updates