Everest is playoff-eligible, SPASH bounces back

High school football regular season is two-thirds complete. Local teams entered Week 7 all over the map with some clinching playoff berths, some eliminated and for some teams the final third of the season will determine their fate.

One team that became playoff-eligible in Week 7 was D.C. Everest. It wasn't easy for the Evergreens. Kevin Sandoval scored three touchdowns for Everest to help the Evergreens to an 18-13 victory. The Evergreens' defense stepped up Friday night and forced two key turnovers in the fourth quarter to preserve the close win. Everest is now 4-2 in the VFA-North and 4-3 overall. The Evergreens face Kimberly next week, which set a state record with its 49th consecutive win, and Appleton North in the finale. Those two tough games to finish the season are what made becoming playoff-eligible in Week 7 so pivotal.

One week after an emotional and playoff-clinching 41-35 overtime victory over SPASH last weekend, Wisconsin Rapids suffered a letdown Friday. Rapids was shut out in the opening 24 minutes and trailed Neenah 13-0 at the end of the first half. The Raiders came out of halftime a different team and Ben Olson tossed two long touchdown strikes the last one to Sullivan to pull Rapids within 26-24 with 4:27 left. But a facemask penalty allowed Neenah to run the clock out and win 26-24. Rapids has clinched a playoff spot but wanted to improve on their record to get a better playoff matchup. Rapids is now 5-2 overall and 4-2 in the VFA-South with remaining games against Fond du Lac (4-2 VFA-South) and Oshkosh North (3-3 VFA-South).

RELATED:Wausau West keeps possession of the Wausau Log

RELATED:SPASH defeats Marshfield 42-0

RELATED:Abbotsford tops Loyal 43-16

SPASH bounced back from last week's overtime loss to Rapids with a dominant 42-0 victory over Marshfield.

In the Central Wisconsin Conference-Eight, Iola-Scandinavia clinched a playoff berth with a 35-0 drubbing of Shiocton. The Thunderbirds improved to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the CWC-8 with the win and will face Amherst next week in a de facto conference championship game.

Medford clinched a share of the Great Northern Conference in an easy 35-7 win over Rhinelander. Medford rested its starters much of the second half as Conrad Bolz ran for 155 yards and two touchdowns and Josh Theide added 101 yards and another score.

Almond-Bancroft earned a key win in a battle of playoff hopefuls as the Eagles shut out Tri-County 34-0 on Friday. A-B became playoff eligible last week and clinched a berth this week, while the Penguins fell to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in the CWC-10. T-C will need to win one of its next two conference games against Wild Rose in Week 8 or against Marion/Tigerton in the season finale to be playoff eligible

Stratford made a big step in becoming Marawood Conference champions with a 28-0 win over Auburndale on Friday night. The Tigers are now 6-0 in conference play and can clinch at least a share of the title next week against Pittsville. Auburndale needs to win next week against Marathon or in the season finale against Tomahawk to become playoff eligible. Edgar got all it could handle in a nonconference game against Altoona, earning a hard-fought 8-6 win and clinched a playoff spot.

Colby picked up a big 41-8 win over Cadott and the Hornets can become playoff eligible by winning one of their final two games. Colby sits at 3-4 overall and 3-3 in the Cloverwood with matchups against Stanley-Boyd and Osseo-Fairchild remaining.

In Cloverwood action Abbotsford proved itself as the cream of the crop in the conference as the Falcons made easy work of previously fellow unbeaten Loyal. Abbotsford raced out to a 35-8 lead at halftime and never took its foot off the gas in a 43-16 victory. With the win Abbotsford extends its win streak to 16 straight CloverWood Conference victories.

Owen-Withee took care of business on Friday night against Athens in a pivotal game for playoff purposes. With the win Owen-Withee improved to 5-2 and clinched a playoff spot. Athens meanwhile fell to 3-4 and will need to win its final two games to guarantee a trip to the playoffs which will be a very tall task. The Bluejays' final two games are against aforementioned Abbotsford next week and Loyal in the final game. Abby and Loyal are a combined 13-1.

Going Out Reporter Mitchell A. Skurzewski: 715-898-7006 or Mitchell.skurzewski@gannettwisconsin.com; Twitter: @MSkurzewski

To get all the prep football scores

For complete round-ups of Friday night’s football games with box scores and scoring summaries, go online at www.wausaudailyherald.com and see Sunday’s print edition.

SCORES

Medford 35, Rhinelander 7

Iola-Scandinavia 35, Shiocton 0

Abbotsford 43, Loyal 16

Adams-Friendship 56, Westfield Area 24

Almond-Bancroft 34, Tri-County 0

Bonduel 34, Wittenberg-Birnamwood 7

D.C. Everest 18, Kaukauna 13

Edgar 8, Altoona 6

Gilman 41, Greenwood 6

Iola-Scandinavia 35, Shiocton 0

Medford 35, Rhinelander 7

Neenah 26, Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln 24

Owen-Withee 44, Athens 17

Pittsville 49, Phillips 7

Stevens Point 42, Marshfield 0

Stratford 28, Auburndale 0

Wausau West 34, Wausau East 6