Athens Varsity Football Team rolls past Turtle Lake in Level 1 Playoff opener

The Athens Bluejays Varsity Football Team opened the WIAA 8-man football playoffs with a 44-20 victory over Turtle Lake on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, on the road in Turtle Lake.
The Level 1 Playoff game matched No. 6 Athens against No. 3 Turtle Lake. Athens, coached by Varsity Football Head Coach Todd Diethelm, competes in the Northwoods-East Conference for 8-man football.
The Bluejays did most of their damage on the ground, piling up 341 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns on 59 carries.
Sophomore Nick Paul led the way, accounting for four touchdowns. He rushed for three scores, threw for another, and returned two kickoffs for 44 yards (20 carries, 192 yds, 3 TD rushing; 3-4 passing, 43 yds, 1 TD).
Senior Garrett Frahm was on the receiving end of Paul’s touchdown pass (2 rec, 49 yds, 1 TD).

Junior Cris Velazquez (15 carries, 91 yds, 1 TD) and Freshman Isaac Bingham (22 carries, 63 yds, 1 TD) each added a rushing touchdown.
Paul, Frahm, Velazquez and Bingham also converted one two-point conversion apiece.
On defense, Senior Jeffery Draper picked off a pass and returned it 10 yards.
With the win, the Bluejays advanced to face No. 2 Hurley on Friday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. in Hurley.

Box Score

Athens 44 @ Turtle Lake 20