Stratford seniors get final shot at Edgar
STRATFORD - The senior players for the Stratford football team have one last chance to get a win over one of their biggest rivals.
Edgar has won the last three matchups in the Marawood Conference annual showdown, including a 15-13 victory last September in Stratford.
The two teams renew the rivalry in Edgar in a spotlight prep football game in the local area Friday.
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“This week is big to a lot of us. It’s the senior year for 13 of us and to beat Edgar would be huge for us knowing it’s the last time that we will play them,” Stratford senior offensive tackle/defensive end Tyson Kauffman said Thursday. “My sophomore year we played at their field and we just got whooped. We’re coming back for one last chance on their field and winning would probably be one of my better memories from my football career.”
Edgar won last year as a last-second field goal attempt by Stratford was just wide right on the final play of regulation.
“(The loss) leaves a bad taste in your mouth and a feeling that you want redemption,” Kauffman said. “I guess that’s good coming into this last game.”
Friday's local schedule also includes: Tri-County at Port Edwards, SPASH at Oshkosh North, Wausau East at Appleton East, D.C. Everest at Appleton West, Oshkosh West at Marshfield, Merrill at Rhinelander, Appleton North at Wausau West, Ashland at Antigo, Mosinee at Medford, Marathon at Tomahawk, Owen-Withee at Abbotsford, Pittsville at Chequamegon, Auburndale at Osseo-Fairchild, Gilman at Assumption, Loyal at Newman Catholic, Shiocton at Adams-Friendship, Pardeeville at Almond-Bancroft, Amherst at Weyauwega-Fremont, Pacelli at Wittenberg-Birnamwood, Thorp at Athens, Fall Creek at Colby, McDonell Central at Greenwood, Spencer/Columbus Catholic at Neillsville/Granton, Shiocton at Adams-Friendship and Nekoosa at Lake Mills.
STRATFORD (2-1, 2-0 Marawood Conference)
AT EDGAR (3-0, 3-0 Marawood)
Rankings: Edgar is No. 3 in the Small Division of The Associated Press state poll. Stratford received votes in the Small Division.
Overall series standing: Edgar leads series 25-23. Edgar has outscored Stratford 757-729 overall.
Most recent meeting: Edgar 15, Stratford 13 (2015)
Series fact: Three of the last four games have been decided by a field goal attempt on the final play of the contest.
About Stratford: The Tigers have rebounded from an opening week loss to Stanley-Boyd with conference wins over Marathon and Tomahawk. The Tigers defense is allowing an average of 2.6 yards per rushing attempt through three games. Behind a offensive line that features Tyson Kauffman (6-foot-6, 277 pounds) and Tanner Weinfurtner (6-5, 308) at tackles, Stratford has averaged 6.3 yards per rushing attempt this fall. Kamren Bornbach has rushed for 328 yards and four touchdowns on 51 carries. Teammate Cole Hoffman has rushed for 198 yards and two touchdowns.
Edgar senior offensive guard/defensive end Seth Schilling: "It's a different attitude this week because they are probably our biggest opponent of the (regular) season. Stratford is always really good and this year is no different. This game has always been in the back of our mind (since the start of the season), but after Phillips, we were all ready for this week to start. (The keys will be) coming out and executing our responsibilities."
About Edgar: The Wildcats have outscored their three opponents (Auburndale, Pittsville and Phillips) 147-6. With the majority of the front seven returning on defense, Edgar has allowed 94 yards rushing this season and 233 yards overall. Alec Haffermanm who leads the Wildcats rushing attack, has 277 yards and eight touchdowns on 27 carries this season. Josh Burish and Will Raatz have rushed for 100 and 93 yards, respectively, for the Wildcats.
Stratford coach Jason Tubbs: “They have a great running attack, leading off with Alec Hafferman. They have a couple new quarterbacks and a solid offensive line with some returning starters. It’s another typical solid Edgar team. (The keys are) we’re going to have to hang onto the ball on offense and can’t give up any big plays on defense. If we can do those two things, I think we’ve got a shot. We’re going to continue to run the ball and get our (offensive) line going against their attack defense and hope for the best.”
Tim Johnson: 715-845-0731, or timothy.johnson@gannettwisconsin.com; on Twitter@timmyjo11