Antigo Fire Chief pays up after Bluejays win “War on 64”

On Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, Antigo Fire Chief Corey Smith traveled to the Merrill Fire Department to make good on his friendly wager with Merrill Fire Chief Josh Klug.
The two chiefs have a standing wager when the Merrill Varsity Football Team plays the Antigo Varsity Football Team in the “War on 64” game, which was held this year on Friday, Sept. 25, at Schofield Stadium in Antigo.
The Merrill Bluejays came back in the second half to defeat the Antigo Red Robins 32-27 in the 121st matchup between the two teams.
The Antigo loss meant that Smith needed to “pay up” by washing a fire truck at the Merrill Fire Station.
Klug said it’s all in good fun.
The wager is a “friendly bet designed to promote our respective fire departments and show pride in our communities,” Klug said.