WIAA football top 5 performers of Week 9
STEVENS POINT, Wis. (BVM) — The WIAA high school football playoffs begin this week, but before looking ahead to the postseason, there were some amazing performances. Here are five of the best from Wisconsin in Week 9:
5. Michael Schurman, senior WR, River Falls
Sparta had no answer for Michael Schurman last Friday. The River Falls senior had seven receptions for 228 yards and three touchdowns against the Spartans. With two of his touchdowns going for over 40 yards, the air attack was unstoppable as the Wildcats won 43-14. The win gave River Falls an undefeated conference record and the Mississippi Valley Conference title. They will now play La Crosse Central in the first round of the playoffs.
4. Trevor Schulz, junior K, Sun Prairie
Even though he had missed two extra point attempts and had a field goal blocked, Trevor Schulz came up big for Sun Prairie when it mattered against Verona. The junior kicker hit a 39-yard game-tying field goal with only seconds left in the game to make it 35-35. In overtime, Schultz once again stepped up, this time it was a 44-yard field goal to win the game 38-35. The win gave the Cardinals an undefeated season and sole ownership of the Big Eight Conference title. They will now face Madison La Follette in the first round of the playoffs.
3. Colton Brunell, sophomore RB, Columbus
It may have been the last game of the regular season, but it was also the first time Columbus trailed in a game. Lakeside Lutheran led 7-0 and 14-7, but then Colton Brunell and the Cardinals took over. The sophomore running back rushed 22 times for 286 yards and four touchdowns as Columbus beat Lakeside Lutheran, 49-21. The win gave the Cardinals a share of the Capitol Conference title and they will once again play Lakeside Lutheran in the first round of the playoffs.
The cream of the crop in the Capitol@ColtonBrunell & Columbus runs by Lakeside Lutheran with a 49-21 win. #wisfb @ColumbusCrazies pic.twitter.com/7C6FvNdzZn
— Zach Hanley (@ZachHanley2) October 16, 2021
2. Peyton Knapton, senior DB, Wisconsin Dells
With an outright South Central Conference title on the line, the Wisconsin Dells High School football team took Mauston in a thrilling season finale. Chiefs senior defensive back Peyton Knapton played a pivotal role in the 40-32 win over Mauston. Up 33-32 in the fourth, Knapton forced a fumble that would lead to the game-sealing touchdown. The senior also had eight tackles and two sacks. Wisconsin Dells will be a No. 1 seed and face Adams-Friendship in the first round of the playoffs.
1. Cole Rodriguez, senior RB, Oak Creek
In his final regular season as a Knight, Cole Rodriguez made sure to end it on a good note. The senior running back had 17 rushes for 173 yards and four touchdowns. His 37-yard touchdown early in the first quarter got Oak Creek going down a path that would lead them to a 57-19 over Kenosha Tremper. The Knights enter the postseason as a No. 4 seed and will play Milwaukee Pulaski/Carmen South/Carmen SE.
