By Chad Zutter - Sports Reporter
Monona Grove, WI - The Menomonie Mustangs fell short in a 34-31 loss to the Monona Grove Silver Eagles in the WIAA Division 2, Level 1 round. Menomonie trailed 28-7 early in the third quarter, after a 64-yard touchdown run by senior quarterback Jace Thomsen, but battled back to within five, 28-23, early into the fourth quarter.
“I was extremely proud of how resilient our kids were in the second half. When it was 28-7 in the third quarter it would have been easy for our kids to quit,” commented coach Sinz. “The pride and emotion that our team showed tonight was awesome.”
Monona Grove capitalized on a Menomonie turnover in the second quarter, converting on a fourth and thirteen with a 33-yard touchdown strike from Thomsen to senior wide receiver Cal Woerth. The Silver Eagles took a 21-7 lead into the locker room.
The Mustangs last scoring drive displayed a bag of tricks that included a hook and ladder, a fumblerooski and a halfback pass, from senior running back Hayden Weir to senior quarterback Brady Johnson, that ended up in the endzone. The ensuing on-side kick was recovered by Monona Grove to secure their Level 1 victory.
Sophomore running back DJ Butler entered the end zone twice, once on the ground and another with a reception, doubling his season touchdown total.
Menomonie ends their season with an overall record of 5-5. Monona Grove will travel to #2 Rice Lake Friday, November 1st at 7 pm in a Level 2 matchup.
Scoring Summary & Box Score
Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | |
Menomonie | 7 | 0 | 8 | 16 |
Monona Grove | 6 | 15 | 7 | 6 |
1st Quarter
M - Butler 17 yd pass from Johnson (Zydowsky kick), 7:27
MG - 3 yd run Clay (kicked blocked), 0:03
2nd Quarter
MG - Woerth 33 yd pass from Thomsen (Worth to Huemmer pass), 5:13
MG - 5 yd run Habeck (Haffele kick), 1:31
3rd Quarter
MG - 64 yd run Thomsen (Haffele kick), 10:29
M - 2 yd run Butler (Thorton to Johnson pass), 6:17
4th Quarter
M - Ellison 13 yd pass from Johnson (Johnson to Ellison pass), 10:48
MG - 14 yd run Habeck (run failed), 2:26
M - Johnson 5 yd pass from Weir (Johnson to Butler pass), 1:03
Individual Stats
RUSHING (att-yds) – Menomonie: Butler (11-66), Higbie (9-33), Weir (6-18), Ellison (2-18), Hoff (1-17), Johnson (1-(-12)); Totals (30-140) / Monona Grove: Thomsen (19-125), Habeck (19-88), Habelwitz (4-28), Yinko (5-21), Woerth (2-21), Clay (1-4), Weise (1-(-3)); Totals (51-284)
PASSING (comp-att-td-int-yds) – Menomonie: Johnson (19-35-2-2-220), Weir (1-1-1-0-5); Totals (20-36-2-3-225) / Monona Grove: Thomsen (11-17-1-0-117), Woerth (2-2-0-0-13); Totals (13-19-1-0-130)
RECEIVING (rec-yds) – Menomonie: Ellison (10-138), Thornton (2-20), Mikesell (2-13), Bystol (2-18), Butler (1-16), Weir (1-15), Johnson (1-5); Totals (20-225) / Monona Grove: Woerth (7-70), Williams (2-34), Habeck (2-13), Thomsen (1-10), Huemmer (1-3); Totals (13-130)
1ST DOWNS: Menomonie: 19 / Monona Grove: 15
3RD DOWN CONV: Menomonie: 8-12 / Monona Grove: 6-15
4TH DOWN CONV: Menomonie: 0-1 / Monona Grove: 4-6
TURNOVERS: Menomonie: INT - 2, FUM - 0 / Monona Grove: INT - 0, FUM - 0
PENALTIES: Menomonie: 4-40 / Monona Grove: 6-50
Game Notes:
Last matchup: October 22, 2021, at Menomonie. Menomonie beat Menomonie Grove 33-6 in WIAA Division 2 Playoffs, Level 1
Menomonie’s football squad had 19 seniors that suited up as a Mustang for the last time, including captains Ray Pember, Brody Thornton, John Higbie and Anthony Sakry.
Coach Sinz’s overall coaching record is 53-55; Menomonie 26-17 (2021-current), Eau Claire Memorial 17-20 (2017-2020), Mondovi 10-18 (2014-2016)
Records: Menomonie 5-5 (3-4 BRC) / Monona Grove 8-2 (5-2 Badger Large)
