By Chad Zutter - Sports Reporter
Chippewa Falls, WI - The Chippewa Falls Cardinals took an 8-0 lead just 50 seconds into the Big Rivers Conference season finale with a 2-yard touchdown scamper by senior running back Jackson LeMay en route to a 35-7 victory at Dorais field.
Chippewa Falls led 21-0 at halftime after senior quarterback Noah Potter found junior Jalyn Smith for a 22-yard strike with under a minute remaining. The Mustangs offense struggled to move the ball against the Cardinals defense, running just a handful of plays on the Cardinals side of the field in the first half and only moving the chain twice. Menomonie finished with just 144 yards of total offense as the Chippewa Falls defense flexed their muscles with 11 tackles for loss, including three sacks.
On the flip side, the Cardinals ground game was spectacular averaging 8.7 yards per carry and totaling 407 yards.
The lone Mustangs touchdown came midway through the fourth quarter as the senior connection of Brady Johnson and Issac Ellison connected from 36 yards out for the 11th time this season.
Both teams struggled with penalties. The Cardinals were flagged eight times for nearly 100 yards, while the Mustangs were penalized six times, with one being declined, for 30 yards.
LeMay left the game in the second quarter with a leg injury. Sophomore DJ Butler left the game in the second quarter with an injury.
Menomonie obtained the #6 seed in the WIAA Division 2 playoffs and will travel to Monona Grove for a Level 1 matchup. Chippewa Falls received a #5 seed in the WIAA Division 1 playoffs and will travel to Middleton for their Level 1 matchup.
Visit the WIAA website - https://www.wiaawi.org/Sports/Fall/Football/Tournament - to view all WIAA football playoff brackets.
Scoring Summary & Box Score
Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
Menomonie | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Chippewa Falls | 8 | 13 | 0 | 14 |
1st Quarter
CF - 3 yd run LeMay (LeMay run), 11:10
2nd Quarter
CF - 8 yd run Bohland (Erickson kick), 7:36
CF - Smith 22 yd pass from Potter (kick blocked), 0:56
3rd Quarter
No scoring
4th Quarter
CF- 56 yd run Daken (Erickson kick), 10:34
CF - 28 yd run Bohland (Erickson kick), 10:23
M - Ellison 36 yd pass from Johnson (Zydowsky kick), 8:25
Individual Stats
RUSHING (att-yds) – Menomonie: Higbie (9-26), Butler (2-3), Weir (3-8), Hoff (2-0), Ellison (1-16), Johnson (3-(-37)); Totals (20-16) / Chippewa Falls: Bohland (17-129), LeMay (8-60), Daken (6-150), Hebert (5-49), Krista (2-0), Potter (4-5), Clary (1-3), King (2-9), Behnke (2-2); Totals (47-407)
PASSING (comp-att-td-int-yds) – Menomonie: Johnson (11-18-1-1-127) / Chippewa Falls: Potter (3-8-1-0-55)
RECEIVING (rec-yds) – Menomonie: Ellison (6-99), Mikesell (1-22), Butler (1-0), Higbie (1-8), Hoff (1-5), Weir (1-(7)); Totals (11-127) / Chippewa Falls: Hebert (2-33), Smith (1-22); Totals (3-55)
1ST DOWNS: Menomonie: 6 / Chippewa Falls: 17
3RD DOWN CONV: Menomonie: 2-9 / Chippewa Falls: 7-13
4TH DOWN CONV: Menomonie: 0-0 / Chippewa Falls: 1-1
TURNOVERS: Menomonie: INT - 1, FUM - 1 / Chippewa Falls: INT - 0, FUM - 0
PENALTIES: Menomonie: 5-30 / Chippewa Falls: 8-85
Game Notes:
Before tonight, Chippewa Fall last defeated Menomonie on November 6th, 2015, by a score of 17-6 in Level 3 of Division 2 playoffs.
Since 1895: Menomonie leads the matchup 59-48-2*
Menomonie Coach Mike Sinz is 3-1 vs the Chippewa Falls Cardinals. His overall coaching record is 53-54; Menomonie 26-16 (2021-current), Eau Claire Memorial 17-20 (2017-2020), Mondovi 10-18 (2014-2016)
Chippewa Falls Coach Chuck Raycovich is in his 51st season as a varsity football coach. He ranks 6th in WIAA history, having coached 468 games with an overall record of 274-194
Records: Menomonie 5-4 (3-4 BRC) / Chippewa Falls 6-3 (4-3 BRC)
Sources
