By Dwayne Corry
September 21, 2012
Wisconsin Rapids–The Wisconsin Rapids Red Raiders kept their playoff hopes alive by upsetting the Menahsa Bluejays 26-24. Garret O’Neil playing his first game of the season scored 3 first half touchdowns to lead Wisconsin Rapids to victory.
“I have waited so long for this, and to be able to get on the field and help my teammates means a lot to me,” said O”Neil.
The Red Raiders won the toss but deferred the kick off to Menasha in hopes of jump starting their defense. That plan would backfire as the Bluejays would march down the field 65 yards on a ten play drive capped off by all conference receiver Lil Ray Jenkins 17 yard TD reception. But that lead would last the Bluejays exactly 18 seconds as Garrett O’Neil took the ball 64 yards on Rapids’ first possession to tie the score at 7.
The Bluejays would get the ball back and on fourth and seven Bluejay coach Jeramie Korth gambled and called for a fake punt. The play would fool everyone including the Bluejay receiver who dropped a wide open pass on the play giving the Red Raiders a short field to work with. Rapids marched the ball 52 yards capped off by Garrett O’Neill scoring on a 23 yard touchdown reception on the first play of the second quarter. The extra point, Rapids Achilles heel, would fail and the Red Raiders would lead 13-6.
The Red Raider defense would force the high powered Bluejay offense into a three and out, forcing a punt. Red Raider Regis Henke would blow through the line just missing blocking the punt, but the pressure would lead to a 7 yard punt giving Rapids another short field to work with. The Red Raiders would march 43 yards on six plays, capped off with Garrett O’neill scoring his third TD of the game on a 10 yard TD reception from Jayson Wiernik to put Rapids up 19-7 with 7:47 left in the second quarter. Rapids would fail to convert the two point conversion.
But the Bluejays would not back down, nor go away. The Bluejays would take the next possesion all the way to the Red Raider 13 and on forth and three Bluejays coach Jeramie Korth would go for it only to have Regis Henke tackle Menasha halfback Joshua Mennen for a two yard gain forcing a turnover on downs. But the Red Raiders got a little too pass happy and gave the ball right back on an interception. Two plays later, Bluejay halfback Mennen would take the ball in from nine yards out to cap off a two play scoring drive and Menasha would pull the score closer 19-14 with 2:24 left in the first half and finish the first half scoring.
Both teams would trade punts to open the second half, but the Bluejays kicked a 26 yard field goal with 2 :54 left in the third to pull the Bluejays within two points 19-17.
The Red Raiders got the ball back and thats when things went a little crazy. After a three and out the Red Raiders were forced to punt but senior Zach “Buzzy” Bassuener was Johnny on the spot and recovered the muffed punt to get the ball right back at their own 34 yard line.
“The Bluejays have a lot of weapons and we knew we had to make some plays to get a win tonight. I am just happy that I was able to help my team out tonight,” said Bassuener.
Then came the play of the game for the Red Raiders. After a four yard gain by Ryan Duxbury there was roughly 15 seconds left in the third quarter. The Red Raiders huddled and QB Jayson Wiernk brought the offense to the line. With seconds left before the 3rd quarter whistle Red Raider coach Tony Biolo screamed to his QB “Do not snap it” three times. Wiernik could not hear his coach correctly and quickly called the play thinking his coach was yelling to snap it. But the Bluejay defense could hear coach Biolo and Ryan Duxbury would take the hand off and zoom 30 yards untouched to put Rapids up 26-17. It sure appeared on the play that the Bluejay defense had been lulled into thinking there would be no play.
“We did a great job of playing together. Tonight was a great team win,” said coach Biolo.
But again Menasha would show its grit and one play later Bluejay halfback Joshua Mennen would race 40 yards down the visiting sideline, including a highlite hurdle over a Rapids defender, to pull Menahsa back within two at 26-24 with 11;36 left in the game. Rapid would be forced to punt on their next possesion setting up the Bluejays for one more final drive, and drive they did. Using a 15 play drive that started on their own 17 yard line the Bluejays would eat the clock and move closer to a potential game winning score with 1st and goal from the Red Raider 11. But a Bluejay personal foul would move the ball back to the 25 yard line. From there the Red Raider defense got busy forcing a 4th and goal from the 25 yard line with 2:43 left on the clock. Bluejay kicker Christopher Munoz’s 42 yard field goal attempt would come up about three yards short, and from there the Rapids was able to run out the clock.
Rapids kept their playoff hopes alive with the win and face first place Marshfield next week at home, game time 7pm.
Red Raider notes: For the record, hurdling a would be tackler is a penalty, in hopes of reducing a potential injury… Tyler Tesch returned from injury, and his impact was felt by the defense… QB Jayson Wiernik made a highlite reel run by reversing his field early in the second quarter… QB Jared Halbur played a solid game behind center…Derek Garski made a couple nifty and timely pass breakups.
