Merrill Bluejays 2-2 overall, 1-1 in Conference play, celebrating a win in the War on 64!
TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
The Merrill Bluejay Varsity Football Team traveled to Antigo last Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, to take on the Antigo Red Robins in an age-old rivalry, long ago dubbed the “War on 64.” The Bluejays were stoked to win this one, shutting out Antigo 36-0.
“It’s nice to come out on top in the war on 64,” said Jason Wadzinski, Merrill Head Varsity Football Coach. “Two years in a row is special, and to do it with another shutout this season is the icing on the cake.”
Player #10 Brian Ball led the night’s game play with 128 passing yards, completing 9 of 13 attempts, along with 47 rushing yards, while #25 Nathan Brzoznowski racked up 149 rushing yards and #3 Brayden Pieper totaled 64 receiving yards.
“Brian Ball, Nate Brzoznowski, and Bradyn Pieper had great games offensively, all adding points to the board,” Wadzinski said. “Defensively we totaled seven sacks in the game, three of which came from Junior Defensive End Brody Lange, and two from Senior Tanner Folz.”
Merrill scored their first touchdown in the first quarter with a 32-yard pass but the kick was no good. Then in the second quarter the Bluejays added two touchdowns with two-point conversions, bringing the score to Merrill 22-Antigo 0 at halftime.
The Bluejays made another touchdown in the third quarter but failed to make the two-point conversion and then wrapped things up with a four-yard run resulting in a touchdown in the fourth quarter and successfully making the two-point conversion to put more icing on the cake to use the Coach’s analogy. Final score: Bluejays 36-Red Robins 0.
Box Score
Merrill 36 @ Antigo 0
At Medford the previous Friday, Sept. 2, the Bluejays lost to the Raiders 0-43, a disappointing blow, losing in a shutout in their first Conference game of the season.
Box Score
Merrill 0 @ Medford 43
The Bluejays are now 2-2 for overall games played so far this season, winning two and losing two, and 1-1 in Conference play, having lost the Sept. 2 Conference game at Medford and won the Sept. 9 Conference game at Antigo. Merrill is currently in fifth place out of eight teams in the Great Northern Conference and hoping to move up in the rankings if they can beat Lakeland Union High School this Friday night in their home game.
Are you ready for some hometown football? The Bluejays are ready to bring it and are hoping Merrill will be there to cheer them on to another victory.
“We’re looking to break the .500 mark this week with Lakeland at home. Come out Friday night and make Jay Stadium loud!” Wadzinski said.
Merrill Bluejays 2-2 overall, 1-1 in Conference play, celebrating a win in the War on 64!
TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
The Merrill Bluejay Varsity Football Team traveled to Antigo last Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, to take on the Antigo Red Robins in an age-old rivalry, long ago dubbed the “War on 64.” The Bluejays were stoked to win this one, shutting out Antigo 36-0.
“It’s nice to come out on top in the war on 64,” said Jason Wadzinski, Merrill Head Varsity Football Coach. “Two years in a row is special, and to do it with another shutout this season is the icing on the cake.”
#10 Brian Ball led the night’s game play with 128 passing yards, completing 9 of 13 attempts, along with 47 rushing yards, while #25 Nathan Brzoznowski racked up 149 rushing yards and #3 Brayden Pieper totaled 64 receiving yards.
“Brian Ball, Nate Brzoznowski, and Bradyn Pieper had great games offensively, all adding points to the board,” Wadzinski said. “Defensively we totaled seven sacks in the game, three of which came from Junior Defensive End Brody Lange, and two from Senior Tanner Folz.”
Merrill scored their first touchdown in the first quarter with a 32-yard pass but the kick was no good. Then in the second quarter the Bluejays added two touchdowns with two-point conversions, bringing the score to Merrill 22-Antigo 0 at halftime.
The Bluejays made another touchdown in the third quarter but failed to make the two-point conversion and then wrapped things up with a four-yard run resulting in a touchdown in the fourth quarter and successfully making the two-point conversion to put more icing on the cake to use the Coach’s analogy. Final score: Bluejays 36-Red Robins 0.
Box Score
Merrill 36 @ Antigo 0
At Medford the previous Friday, Sept. 2, the Bluejays lost to the Raiders 0-43, a disappointing blow, losing in a shutout in their first Conference game of the season.
Box Score
Merrill 0 @ Medford 43
The Bluejays are now 2-2 for overall games played so far this season, winning two and losing two, and 1-1 in Conference play, having lost the Sept. 2 Conference game at Medford and won the Sept. 9 Conference game at Antigo. Merrill is currently in fifth place out of eight teams in the Great Northern Conference and hoping to move up in the rankings if they can beat Lakeland Union High School this Friday night in their home game.
Are you ready for some hometown football? The Bluejays are ready to bring it and are hoping Merrill will be there to cheer them on to another victory.
“We’re looking to break the .500 mark this week with Lakeland at home. Come out Friday night and make Jay Stadium loud!” Wadzinski said.
