Krueger shines as Marshfield picks up key conference win

MARSHFIELD - The Marshfield Tigers football team was in need of a win over Kaukauna on Friday night.

Behind the right arm and the legs of quarterback Ryan Krueger the Tigers got that win at Beell Stadium on Friday night.

Krueger tossed three first-half touchdowns and added a pivotal 65-yard second half touchdown scamper as the Tigers held off Kaukauna 27-14 for the Valley Football Association conference win. 

The Tigers are now 2-2 on the season, while Kaukauna fell to 1-3.

After racing out to a 20-0 lead, the Galloping Ghosts put the pressure on Marshfield pulling within 20-14 in the fourth quarter. But Krueger escaped the pocket and dashed 65 yards to the end zone to give the Tigers the cushion they needed to snap a two-game losing streak. 

After throwing an early interception, Krueger bounced back and helped Marshfield take over.

The Tigers started the scoring on a swing pass that Isaiah Baierl took for 18 yards for a score. The other two touchdowns were a bit more unconventional. Krueger scrambling to his right hurled a 35-yard touchdown toss to Duncan Swanson off his right foot that the Kaukauna defensive back mistimed his jump and Swanson caught the ball behind him. 

Krueger's third touchdown was deflected and Collin Fravert went down to make a tumbling catch and Marshfield looked in control up 20-0. Krueger was 7 for 11 for 123 yards with the three touchdowns in the first half. 

But, Kaukauna battled back and scored a touchdown with under a minute remaining on the first half on a 4-yard run by Tyler Froelich. After a scoreless third quarter the Galloping Ghosts cut the lead to 20-14 with under nine minutes remaining. But Krueger and the Tigers had the pivotal answer.

The Tigers scored less than a minute later on Krueger's scramble.