Merrill Varsity Football wins the War on 64 in 121st matchup against the Red Robins

The Merrill Varsity Football Team came back in the second half to defeat the Antigo Red Robins 32-27 Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, at Schofield Stadium in Antigo.
The game marked the 121st matchup between the Bluejays and the Red Robins in the longtime friendly rivalry between the two teams on Hwy. 64, dubbed the “War on 64.”
“Merrill was down to begin the second half,” said Jason Wadzinski, Merrill Varsity Football Head Coach, “but Kanin Jahnke and Cole Rudie led the charge on offense to take the lead late in the fourth quarter.”
Jahnke led the Bluejays on the ground with 271 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries. Rudie added 82 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries, and he went 6-of-8 passing for 32 yards. Brody Klebenow added 2 yards on one carry, and the Bluejays lost 8 yards on another.”
Merrill finished the night with 379 yards of total offense, including 347 rushing yards.

“Will Miemietz and Brody Klebenow provided defensive help as the Bluejays kept Antigo out of the end zone as time expired to hold onto the victory,” Wadzinski said.
Miemietz (3 tk, 1 sck, 1 TFL, 3 pressures, 1 fum rec) and Klebenow (5 tk, 1 ast, 3 PBU) anchored the defense. Klebenow also returned three kickoffs for 60 yards.
“I’m very proud of our boys’ resiliency on Friday night,” Wadzinski said. “They do well when faced with adversity and never give up.”

Box Score
Merrill 32 @ Antigo 27

This weekend is Homecoming in Merrill. “We play the Rhinelander Hodags,” Wadzinski said. “It will be the 113th matchup all-time between the two programs, and the overall record 62-50-2 with Merrill having the advantage.”
The Varsity Homecoming Football Game will be played at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at Jay Stadium.