Chad Zutter - Sports Reporter
New Richmond, WI - The New Richmond Tigers defense flexed their muscles on the first play of the game with a Trevor Holland interception of Brady Johnson. The Tigers punched in their first of four touchdowns just a minute and half later as junior quarterback Nick Stellrecht found Austin Ecker from 11 yards out enroute to a 27-14 victory.
Already with a two-touchdown lead and receiving the second half kickoff, Stellrecht connected with Austin Wittek with just 17 seconds left to push their lead to 20 at half. The Tigers were able to control the game with multiple third down conversions and were perfect on fourth down.
“We needed to play our A game tonight, and we didn’t. When you play a team as good as New Richmond, you have to be able to execute in all three phases at a high level and we were not able to do that tonight,” commented head coach Mike Sinz.
The Mustangs were able to move the ball offensively and recorded 17 first downs but New Richmond’s defense made plays, including a red zone interception, to keep the Menomonie out of the endzone for three plus quarters.
The bleachers filled up early as standing room only was all that remained for any fan coming to New Richmond high school on homecoming night.
The Mustangs will head back to Williams stadium next week to take on River Falls, while the Tigers will host Wisconsin Rapids in their Big Rivers and Wisconsin Valley crossover conference game.
The Mustangs need one more conference win to stamp their ticket to the playoffs. Currently, Menomonie has the longest active streak of playoff appearances at 34 years.
Scoring Summary & Box Score
Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
Menomonie | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
New Richmond | 7 | 13 | 7 | 0 |
1st Quarter
NR - Eckert 11 yd pass from Stellrecht (Fagnan kick), 10:29
2nd Quarter
NR - Kretovics 25 yd pass from Stellrecht (Fagnan kick), 7:24
NR - Wittek 30 yd pass from Stellrecht (kick blocked), 0:17
3rd Quarter
NR - 8 yd run Wittek (Fagnan kick), 0:25
4th Quarter
M - Ellison 29 yd pass from Johnson (Zydowsky kick), 3:22
M - Thorton 26 yd pass from Johnson (Zydowsky kick), 0:00
Individual Stats
RUSHING (att-yds) – Menomonie: Higbie (7-27), Butler (7-18), Weir (4-19), Hoff (1-4), Johnson (5-(-12)); Totals (24-56)
PASSING (comp-att-int-yds) – Menomonie: Johnson (20-39-2-4)
RECEIVING (rec-yds) – Menomonie: Ellison (6-81), Thornton (8-92), Mikesell (2-22), Bystol (2-19), Weir (1-11); Totals (19-225)
1ST DOWNS: Menomonie: 17 / New Richmond: 13
3RD DOWN CONV: Menomonie: 4-12 / New Richmond: 8-13
4TH DOWN CONV: Menomonie: 1-4 / New Richmond: 2-3
TURNOVERS: Menomonie: 4 / New Richmond: 0
Game Notes:
Menomonie is ranked #5 in Wisports.net Division 3 Football Coaches Poll
New Richmond is ranked #3 in Wisports.net Division 2 Football Coaches Poll
Menomonie hosts River Falls Wildcats next week
New Richmond hosts Wisconsin Rapids next week in their crossover conference game.
Coach Mike Sinz is 1-5 vs the New Richmond Tigers
New Richmond has now won five consecutive against Menomonie
Since 1998, Menomonie leads series 9-5
Records: Menomonie 5-2 (3-2 BRC) / New Richmond 7-0 (5-0 BRC)
