Merrill Varsity Football: A loss and a win, qualifies the team for playoffs as #7 seed

On Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, the Merrill Varsity Football Team hosted Tomahawk’s team in an afternoon of fall football, but Tomahawk took away the win.
“For the second week in a row the Bluejays fell just short in a one-score game,” said Merrill Varsity Head Football Coach Jason Wadzinski. “They lost a wet and chilly matchup Saturday against Tomahawk. We didn’t win the battle at line of scrimmage on Saturday and that cost us dearly.”
Tomahawk picked up the only touchdown score in the first quarter (kick) and Merrill made a touchdown on a three-yard run (failed two-point conversion) in the second quarter, so the score at halftime had Tomahawk up by one point: 7-6.
In the third quarter, Tomahawk made a near repeat performance of their first quarter and picked up another 7 points, while Merrill managed a 27-yard field goal for 3. In the fourth quarter, Tomahawk was again first to score, picking up a 25-yard field goal of their own. Merrill picked up two points on a safety at the end of the game, but it wasn’t enough to make a difference.
“We’re sitting at 4-4 on the season and looking to finish strong this Friday up in Rhinelander in efforts to clinch a winning season and a playoff berth,” Wadzinski said.

Box Score
Tomahawk 17 @ Merrill 11

The Merrill Varsity Football Team hit the road last Friday night, Oct. 18, to play the Rhinelander Hodags, and they did indeed finish up strong enough to nudge them into the playoffs.
The Merrill Bluejays scored first in the game against the Hodags, landing a touchdown with a two-point conversion in the first quarter, to put eight points on the scoreboard.
In the second quarter, Rhinelander made a touchdown, but failed in their two-point conversion attempt, and then the Bluejays landed another one in the endzone but also failed at their two-point conversion attempt. That put the score at Merrill 14-Rhinelander 6 going into halftime.

In the third quarter, Merrill made a touchdown on a one-yard run with a two-point conversion, putting Merrill up 22-6, but the rest of that quarter remained scoreless.
In the fourth quarter, Rhinelander tried for a comeback from behind, landing a touchdown on a one-yard run of their own (failed two-point conversion), but Merrill wasn’t letting up and they scored another touchdown, this time on a 19-yard run, with another good two-point conversion, bringing the score to Merrill 30-Rhinelander 12. The Hodags didn’t give up and managed to score another touchdown on a 13-yard pass (two-point conversion failed), but it just wasn’t enough.
“The Bluejays won the 100th matchup between Rhinelander and Merrill Friday night,” Wadzinski said. “Aiden Lonsdorf eclipsed 1,000 yards passing on the season, and Callum Wheeler had 144 on the ground with 2 touchdowns.”
“Carson Brooks scored from the offensive line with a hook n’ ladder play in the second quarter,” he said.
Wadzinski summarized the game as “A great all-around team win for the Jays.”
“With that win, the Jays qualify for the playoffs as a #7 seed,” he said. “They will travel to Onalaska on Friday night, Oct. 25. This is the second time in three years that Merrill has been playoff eligible.”

Box Score
Merrill 30 @ Rhinelander 18