MHS Football Team honors U.S. Military Heroes who died Aug. 26
Bluejays lose a close game to Hayward Hurricanes
TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
The Merrill High School Varsity Football Team and coaching staff honored the 13 fallen soldiers who died on Aug. 26, 2021, during an attack outside of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, in a ceremony of remembrance before the football game on Friday night, Sept. 17. Football players and coaches lined up and carried a casket flag and a dog tag for each of the fallen service members to honor their ultimate sacrifice, ceremoniously hanging the dog tags on a white cross for each service member and displaying the flags at the far end of Jay Stadium. Each fallen soldier was honored, by name, with age, rank, and military service.
“These service members were killed while supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. Five of those killed were 20 years old, and were just babies when 9/11 happened,” Head Varsity Football Coach Jason Wadzinski said as he narrated the ceremony.
Marines Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Cpl. Daegan W. Page, Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui; Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak; and Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss were honored.
Those at Jay Stadium also honored the following Merrill High School alumni, who did serve or are serving in the military, as the United States flag was raised:
• Trevor Pike, United States Navy, who graduated in 2013 with an Honorable Discharge. He played football for four years, is the son of Todd and Terri Pike, and is currently employed with Hetzels Plumbing and Heating in Tomahawk. He recently married Taylor Hudzinski, and his youngest brother is currently serving in the United States Air Force.
• Dallas Kaufman, United States Army, who graduated in 2017. He signed with the Army in 2016 and is still serving. The son of Scott Hulke and Lori Kaufman, he is currently employed with Kwik trip and is a member of the Village of Maine Fire Department.
• Michelle Brown, United States Army, who graduated in 2006. She currently serves with Wisconsin Army National Guard, Medical Detachment. She served in Operation Iraq Freedom in 2009. The daughter of Kim Johnson, she is currently employed as a Nurse Practitioner at Marshfield Clinic.
• Gabrielle Hinz, United States Army, who graduated in 2020, currently serves with Golf Company 132nd. She is the daughter of Candace and Chad Hinz and is currently employed at Kwik Trip.
• Damian Moonen, United States Army, who graduated in 2020, currently serves with Golf Company 132nd. He is the son of Julie and Daniel Moonen and is currently employed at C-Tech Manufacturing.
“We Remember, we will always remember, the thousands of lives that paid the ultimate price for our freedom,” Wadzinski said. “Especially for those families and friends who have and are experiencing the Afghanistan withdrawal.”
Wadzinski thanked VFW Post 1638 and Auxiliary for their continued support of all of our Armed Forces; MHS alumni who served and are still serving; Trista Rathke for contacting and coordinating with Armed Forces alumni for the flag raising; Michael Handlin [Merrill Class of 1982 and MAPS employee for 24 years]; Michele Rathke, State Senior Vice Commander for the VFW for the State of Wisconsin, and wife of John Rathke [MHS graduate with the Class of 1982]; the Bluejay coaching staff and team; the Band Director and members of the Marching Jays, and everyone who helped make the night of remembrance possible.
“I would also like to thank the Merrill community for your patriotic display and continuing support to our Armed Forces,” Wadzinski said.
“Let’s get ready to play some football!” Coach said as he concluded the ceremony and the teams prepared to square off.
The Hurricanes from Hayward/Lincoln High School blew into Jay Stadium with a force, and the Bluejays gave back as good as they got, with both teams delivering an exciting game for an enthusiastic crowd Friday night.
The Bluejays saw a lot of action in the first half of the game, with the Bluejays garnering all their points in that first half.
The Hurricanes made one touchdown in the first quarter with a 72-yard kick pass. Score going into halftime: Merrill Bluejays 12-Hayward Hurricanes 7.
The Bluejays played hard in the second half but weren’t able to pick up anymore points, while the Hurricanes gave it their all to land a second touchdown on an 18-yard pass in the third quarter, although they failed on the two-point conversion on that one.
“Last night our boys dropped a close one to Hayward 12-13,” Coach Wadzinski summarized. But “I can’t say enough about how hard they battled and kept their heads up until the bitter end.”
#10 Brian Ball racked up 104 passing yards, including a 29-yard pass to Bailey Turenne for the Bluejay’s first touchdown of the game in the first quarter. He completed 6 of 16 attempts, and also racked up 38 rushing yards with 13 attempts and 1 punt. #2 Cayden Diels totaled 76 rushing yards with 11 attempts in the game and 5 tackles and two kickoff returns. #5 Bailey Turenne had 45 yards receiving (1 TD first quarter), with 1 yard rushing to nail another touchdown in the final minutes of the second quarter for an exciting finish right down to the wire, and the hometown crowd went wild. [Both touchdowns failed two-point conversions.]
“Bailey Turenne had an exceptional game, reeling in a touchdown catch from Brian Ball and scoring one himself on the ground as time expired in the first half,” Wadzinski said. “Bailey also set up that last drive of the half with a timely interception to swing momentum.”
“Bradyn Pieper (1 Rec, 24 yds, 3 tk) had a nice game stepping in to play three different positions defensively after an injury to AJ Vogel. Bradyn also had an interception in the game.”