In playoff opener, Robins fall to ranked LaCrosse Central, 47-29 Oct. 28, 2009 For Antigo High School football coach John Lund and crew, Tuesday was a night of missed opportunities.
Opening its WIAA post-season playoffs at the UW-La Crosse Veterans Stadium, the Red Robins had a chance to knock off state-ranked La Crosse Central but lost 47-29.
The loss was a season-ender for the Antigo team while the Red Raiders move on to Saturday’s round two playoffs versus Marshfield. The Tigers earned the spot by defeating La Crosse Logan.
Despite the near 200 mile trip west, the game attracted a large contingent of Antigo fans—and the Red Robin gridders put on a strong performance.
“The loss is tough to take,” senior Keagan Marten said. “I’ve been with these guys since the Dave Brandt league and it finally hit us that this was the end.”
The Robins’ first drive started out on the 27 yard line and two plays later, Nico Fulsom scampered around the end with a 35 yard run to leave Antigo with the ball at the Red Raiders’ 31. On fourth and four at the 25 yard line, Skylar Cameron’s pass fell to the ground, giving Central the ball on downs.
The Red Raiders wasted little time as quarterback Bobby Juan ripped off 63 yards, giving La Crosse the ball on the 14 yard line. The series ended when Juan leaped over the middle of Antigo's defensive line in taking the 8-0 led.
“Their quickness did surprise us at first, but once we settled in and found out that we could contain them, things got better,” Marten added.
Antigo’s offense stalled out and was forced to punt. A 50 yard return by Central’s Ryan Ledvina set the ball up at the Robins’ 16. Hunter Lange closed out the drive with a five yard run to extend La Crosse’s lead to 16-0.
Unfazed by the score, Antigo marched 73 yards in 12 plays to score on Keagan Marten’s three yard run. Ryan Pikka's extra point made the score 16-7 at the end of the first quarter.
Both teams exchanged punts before La Crosse Central scored on Juan’s 62 yard pass to Ledvina. The extra point attempt was blocked by Antigo leaving the score 22-7 in favor of the Red Raiders.
“They had a solid defense and offensive line that could just put points up against us,” senior Pete Solin said.
Antigo answered quickly and in a 15 play series, drove 73 yards including nine by Cameron. Faced with another fourth and two, Cameron ran for four yards, before scoring on a two point conversion by Nico Fulsom to bring the score closer by 22-15.
“We hung in for quite awhile,” Lund said. “Central’s speed and quickness proved to be hard for us to slow down.”
La Crosse attempted to extend the score but failed when Kolten Marten picked off a Juan pass right before half-time.
Receiving the second half kickoff, Central’s Ledvina returned the kick 30 yards. In its first offensive play, Ledvina lined up at quarterback, took the snap and lateraled the ball to Juan who hit a wide open Nick Wuensch for the 59 yard touchdown, expanding its lead to 28-15.
After being forced to punt, Antigo’s Nick Marciniak stepped in front of Juan’s pass returning it for 23 yards.
With momentum in hand, the Robins drove 52 yards in 11 plays in allowing fullback Keagan Marten to score from the four yard line, pulling Antigo to within six points, 28-22.
Antigo was given its first chance to take the lead in the game when the Red Raiders fumbled a kickoff. Starting on their own 14 yard line, the Robins turned the ball over on downs after failing to pick up a first down at the six yard line.
“I’m really proud to have played with these guys,” Solin added. “We may have gotten down, but we never lost morale.”
La Crosse quarterback Juan ripped off runs of 15, 21 and 18 yards, before coughing up the ball at the Antigo 29 yard line. Three plays later Antigo returned the favor. Ledvina intercepted a Cameron pass giving Central another scoring opportunity by Juan to move ahead 34-22 to start the fourth quarter.
“It was nice to be a mentor to the juniors,” senior Fatih Velijoski said. “Now is the time for us (seniors) to pass the torch on and wish them good luck in carrying on the Antigo football tradition.”
The Red Robins next possession ended with an interception. On the Central’s play, Juan dashed around the end for a 42 yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 40-22.
La Crosse ended another Robin drive with an interception. Three plays into the series; Juan connected with Ledvina for a nine yard touchdown pass to put the Raiders up 47-22.
Antigo’s final possession showed a never quit attitude when Cameron raced 54 yards for pay dirt making the final score 47-29.
“These boys played their hearts out, as they have done all season,” Lund said. “I just want to congratulate them on the success they have had and the opportunity to have coached them.”
The Robins season ends at 6-4, while Central continues as they travel to Marshfield on Saturday.
RED RAIDERS 47, RED ROBINS 29
AHS 7 8 7 7 — 29
LCCHS 16 6 6 19 — 47
First Quarter
LCCHS—Juan, 1 yard run (2 point conversion)
LCCHS—Lange, 5 yard run (2 point conversion)
AHS—Keagan Marten, 3 yard run (Pikka kick)
Second Quarter
LCCHS—Juan to Ledvina, 62 yard pass (missed kick)
AHS—Cameron, 9 yard run (Fulsom 2 point conversion)
Third Quarter
LCCHS—Juan to A. Wuensch, 59 yard pass (2 point conversion failed)
AHS—Keagen Marten, 4 yard run (Pikka kick)
Fourth Quarter
LCCHS—Juan, 2 yard run (2 point conversion failed)
LCCHS—Juan, 42 yard run (kick failed)
LCCHS—Juan to Levina, 9 yard pass (Juan kick)
AHS—Cameron, 54 yard run (Pikka kick)
AHS LCCHS
First Downs 18 14
Total Offense 374 431
Rushing 70-345 24-217
Passing Yards 29 214
Comp-Att-Int 4-13-3 12-17-2
Punts-Ave. 3-34-0 1-31-0
Fumbles-lost 0-0 2-2
Penalties 3-11 5-45
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING—AHS: Cameron 16-129, Ke. Marten 20-93, Fulsom 13-72, Ko. Marten 15-56, Waldvogel 4-11, Marciniak 2-(-7).
LCCHS: Juan 13-191, Hengel 4-12, A. Wuensch 2-7, Lange 1-5, Thorton 1-2, Mahairas 1-2, Mattes 1-1, Ledvina 1-(-3).
PASSING—AHS: Cameron 5-12-29-3, Ko. Marten 0-1-0-0.
LCCHS: Juan 12-17-214-2
RECEIVING—AHS: Ke. Marten 2-8, Fulsom 2-14, Mattek 1-7.
LCCHS: Ledvine 6-109, Wuensch 1-59, Lange 1-20, Hengel 2-18, Strasser 1-8.
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