Merrill Bluejays dominate Wausau East for a Merrill Homecoming 31-14 win

On Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, the Merrill Varsity Football Team celebrated Homecoming with a commanding 31-14 victory over the visiting Wausau East Lumberjacks at Merrill High School’s Jay Stadium, despite unseasonably hot temperatures in the mid 80s.
“Shout out to the Merrill community for showing up loud and proud on Saturday,” said Merrill Varsity Head Football Coach Jason Wadzinski. “The energy was contagious and helped the boys push through the heat and dominate the Lumberjacks.”
The Bluejays’ defense was the story of the day, forcing nearly half a dozen turnovers that stifled the Lumberjacks’ offensive efforts throughout the exciting game.
“I am particularly proud of our defensive effort and the turnovers we forced on Saturday,” Wadzinski said. “As a unit we had 5 takeaways accented by an interception return for a touchdown by Keylin Allen to put the game away.”
Keylin Allen (3 Tk, 1 Int, 1 Fum Rec, 1 TD) provided the game’s exclamation point with a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown. Allen was a force on both sides of the ball, also hauling in a 54-yard touchdown reception on 2 catches and recovering a fumble.

The Bluejays’ defense also got interceptions from Noah Klug (7 Tk, 2 Ast, 1 Sck, 1 TFL, 1 Int, 1 Force Fum), while fumble recoveries came from Brayden Mueller (1 Tk, 3 Ast, 1 PBU, 1 Fum Rec), Allen, and William Miemietz (2 Tk, 1 Ast, 1 TFL, 1 Force Fum, 1 Fum Rec).
Hunter Opper (6 Tk, 1 Ast, 3 TFL, 1 Force Fum) led the defensive front with 3 tackles for loss, while Remington Skic (3 Tk, 4 Ast, 1 PBU, 1 Force Fum) also forced a fumble.
On offense, the Bluejays’ ground game dominated the line of scrimmage.
“Kanin Jahnke and the offensive line carved up the Wausau East defense with 270 rushing yards and two touchdowns,” Wadzinski said.
Kanin Jahnke (31 Att, 172 Yards, 2 TD, 5.54 Avg) carried the load for Merrill, rushing for 172 yards and 2 touchdowns on 31 attempts. Cole Rudie (13 Att, 86 Yards, 6.61 Avg) added 86 yards on the ground and also went 4-for-8 passing for 61 yards and 1 touchdown.
Ty Schuett (4 XPM, 4 XPA, 1 FGM, 1 FGA, Long 22) was perfect on extra points, going 4-for-4, and added a 22-yard field goal.
Other defensive contributors included Payton Zimmerman (2 Tk, 5 Ast, 1 TFL, 1 PBU), Mason Bloch (2 Tk, 3 Ast), Jase Steinagel (3 Tk, 2 Ast), Ryan Coates (2 Tk, 1 Ast, 1 PBU), and Brody Klebenow (4 Tk).
“We look forward to the challenge of this coming week heading up to Tomahawk,” Wadzinski said. “The Hatchets are tied with us at the top of the Conference and this one is as important as it gets.”

Box Score:
Wausau East 14 @ Merrill 31

2025 Silver M inductees recognized

Prior to the Homecoming Football Game, the 2025 Silver M and Golden M inductees were announced and recognized, before they lined either side of the football field to welcome the 2025 Merrill Varsity Football Team to the field for the game.
This year the following individuals were inducted into the Silver M Club, having first lettered in 2000: Scott Ayer, Al Borchardt, James Borelli, Josh Duley, Levi Falcon, Chad Gray, Chris Grunewald, Tony Hass, Derek Hoff, Andy Kautza, Andrew Krauss, Ken Kudick, Tim Kufahl, Bill Kunkel, Joe Ollhoff, David Olson, Dan Pleske, Cody Schmidt, Matt Schmidt, Collin Schooley, Justin Schotz, Andy Shimmel, Ryan Smrecek, Garrett Stine, Ryan Sullivan, Doug Ward, Jeremy Wyland (deceased), and Andy Yorde.
The following new members were also inducted into the Golden M, 50 years after first lettering in 1975: Scott Ackley, Russ Akey, Scott Annis, Dave Burrow (deceased), Mel Doering, Keith Donner, Dave Eckerle (deceased), Dale Elliot, Rick Gennrich, Mark Kraft, Jim Kretzshmar, Mark Krombholz, Fred Krueger, Dale Marquardt, Matt Pankow, Randy Rueter, Rod Runge, Pat Semling, Tom Weckwerth, and Dan Yorde.