SPORTS

Big wins for Rapids, Auburndale as playoffs loom

Mitchell A. Skurzewski
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

The top four teams in the Marawood Conference squared off Friday, with Edgar traveling to Marathon and Stratford hosting Rib Lake/Prentice. An under-the-radar matchup was Pittsville facing Auburndale; both teams entered with 2-2 conference records and the winner would be in prime position for a playoff berth.

Edgar not only lost to Marathon on Friday but also suffered a key injury to running back Alec Hafferman who left the game after a 33-yard punt return. Hafferman left the school in an ambulance with what appeared to be an elbow injury. Marathon used a strong running game led by Mitch Putnam, and the Raiders' defense snared three interceptions to defeat Edgar 21-9 and improve to a 5-1 record overall and 4-1 in the Marawood, while Edgar falls to 4-2 both overall and in Marawood Conference play.

The Stratford Tigers continue to pick up steam and have shown themselves to be the best team in the Marawood. Stratford dominated Rib Lake/Prentice 35-0 and have now beaten the other three upper-echelon teams in the Marawood: RL/P, Edgar and Marathon.

Stratford's Kamren Bornbach(2), right, avoids being tackled by Prentice's Chase Swan(7) during Friday night's football game at Tiger Stadium in Stratford.

Auburndale pulled out a narrow 12-8 victory over Pittsville in what could be a massive swing game for both teams. Auburndale badly needed a win as it still has Marathon and Straford on its schedule. Auburndale is now 3-3 overall and 3-2 in the Marawood. Pittsville fell to 2-4 overall and 2-3 in the Marawood and will need to upset either Stratford or Marathon in the final two weeks of the season following next week's game against Phillips to earn a playoff spot.

D.C. Everest secured a key win Friday, dismantling Appleton East 40-7 and improving to 3-2 in the Valley Football Association-North Division. The Evergreens are 3-3 overall but with a win next week over Kaukauna, Everest will become playoff-eligible by ensuring a .500 record in conference play.

RELATED:Marathon beats Edgar

RELATED:Stratford beats Rib Lake

RELATED:WIsconsin Rapids beats SPASH

In other VFA-North action, Wausau West couldn't snag a second massive upset on the season, falling to state powerhouse Kimberly 35-0. With the win Kimberly ties a state record with its 48th consecutive win. Next week Wausau West (3-3, 3-2) faces crosstown rival Wausau East in the Log Game. Wausau East nearly snagged its first win of the season, but fell 21-14 to Kaukauna despite some spectacular receptions by Thomas Dunbar.

Wisconsin Rapids’ Isaac Pelot leaps horizontally over SPASH’s Keon’te Williams during the game between Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids at the rivalry Ol' River Jug game, Sept. 23, 2016.

In VFA-South play the game of the night was Wisconsin Rapids vs. SPASH. Rapids raced out to a 28-0 lead before SPASH stormed back to tie the game 28-28 at the end of the third quarter. The game went to overtime tied at 35-35 before Rapids' defense stood tall, getting a stop to start overtime and finishing it on offense with the game-winning score. The win is a massive one for the Raiders: With the win Rapids clinched a playoff spot, won The Ol' River Jug and tied SPASH atop the VFA-South all in one night.

Marshfield, on the other hand, looks like it will miss out on the playoffs. The Tigers fell Friday to Hortonville 35-7 and needs to win out to get into the playoffs. But the Tigers' final three games are against SPASH, Oshkosh North and Fond du Lac.

In Central Wisconsin Conference-10 play, Tri-County fell 27-0 to Manawa. Tri-County is 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the CWC-10 but won't have it easy becoming playoff eligible with the Penguins' final three games coming against Almond-Bancroft, Wild Rose and Tigerton/Marion.

A key battle for playoff positioning takes place Saturday as Chippewa Falls McDonell hosts Assumption. Both teams enter the game with 3-2 records and the winner puts themselves in prime position for a playoff berth. Next week a huge matchup is on the CloverWood Conference docket as Abbotsford travels to Loyal.

In the Great Northern Conference, Mosinee took a devastating loss to Ashland after a late touchdown gave Ashland a 13-12 win. Mosinee is now 1-3 in the GNC and will need to beat Merrill and Lakeland in the final two weeks to have a chance to get into the playoffs.

Medford is playoff-eligible with a dominant 42-0 win over Lakeland, and on Saturday Merrill and Antigo square off in another key GNC game.

The Nekoosa Papermakers took a big step towards earning a playoff spot with a win over Mauston, who entered at 4-1 overall. Nekoosa took a 21-7 lead into halftime after intercepting Mauston in the end zone to maintain a 14-point lead late in the first half. The Papermakers are now 3-3 overall and 2-0 in South Central Conference play with winnable games the next two weeks. If Nekoosa wins two of its final three games they will be guaranteed a playoff spot.

Exhale. A wild and crazy Friday night is over. Too bad we have to wait seven more days for more entertainment, including Cloverwood unbeatens Loyal and Abbotsford facing off.

Mitchell A. Skurzewski: 715-898-7006 or Mitchell.skurzewski@gannett.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.

BIG PLAYS

Sights and sounds from Friday night

Amherst strikes quickly on 37-yard pass to Cisewski from Piotrowski. 100 seconds in and Amherst up 7-0 on Rhinelander

Edgar's star running back Alec Haffermann with a nice return of 33 yards, but is injured. 

Hafferman taken away in ambulance with what appears to be a significant injury. 

Noah Zastrow 55-yard touchdown run puts Spencer/Columbus up 16-0 on Cadott after a 2-point conversion.

Jordan Becker with a 48 yard TD for a 7-0 Stratford lead over Rib Lake/Prentice.

Nekoosa with an interception in the end zone late in the first half to maintain a 21-7 lead over Mauston heading into locker room. 

Kam Bornbach rushes 44 yards for a touchdown. Stratford leads Rib Lake/Prentice 21-0.

Wausau East ties it 14-14 vs Kaukauna with a diving TD by Thomas Dunbar in double coverage.

SCORES

Fall Creek 48, Tomahawk 13

Athens 49, Greenwood 0

Kimberly 35, Wausau West 0

Amherst 64, Rhinelander 0

Spencer/Columbus 63, Cadott 14

Auburndale 12, Pittsville 8

Kaukauna 21, Wausau East 14

Abbotsford 40, Thorp 7

Adams-Friendship 43, Wisconsin Dells 13

Ashland 13, Mosinee 12

Cambridge 35, Port Edwards 0

D.C. Everest 40, Appleton East 7

Hortonville 35, Marshfield 7

Loyal 35, Gilman 14

Marathon 21, Edgar 9 

Weyauwega-Fremont 26, Wittenberg-Birnamwood 8

Stanley-Boyd 56, Neillsville 9

Iola-Scandinavia 48, Pacelli 6

Medford 42, Lakeland 0

Nekoosa 40, Mauston 20

Stratford 35, Rib Lake/Prentice 0

Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln 41, Stevens Point 35, OT