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By Dwayne Corry

October 18, 2012

Wisconsin Rapids–On a cold and rainy night, perfect conditions for a football game, the 2012 Lincoln Red Raiders finished the 2012 season on a high note. Lincoln rushed for 216 yards on 47 carries to control the clock, and the game, sending the visiting Warriors from Wausau West home cold, and wet. Red Raider Ryan Duxbury stated before the game he wanted all 47 carries, but ended up getting only 28.

Duxbury gained 144 yards and added a 4 yard touchdown run as the junior set the tone for the night.

“I was determined to get the seniors a win,” said Duxbury.

Red Raider quarterback Jared Halbur scored at 8:55 in the first to put Rapids up 7-0. Wausau West responded by moving the ball to the Lincoln 7 yard line. On fourth and four from the 8, West went for the touchdown, but Red Raider senior Zach Bassuener broke up the pass attempt in the end zone to keep West off the board.

Rapids would take the ball over at their own 8 and march 92 yards, capped by Duxbury’s 4 yard touchdown run to make the score 14-0. The play of the drive had to be Hayden Biegel’s 49 yard reception from Halbur. Hayden broke 4 tackles on the play.

Red Raider Zach Bassuener kicked a 23 yard field goal with 9:23 left in the third to put Rapids up 17-0. “Buzzy” set himself up for the field goal by taking the 3rd quarter kickoff 68 yards to the Rapids 24 yard line.

West QB Huehnerfuss locked into WR Christopher Clementi on the ensuing West drive completing passes of 11, 13, 14, 13 yard’s before scoring a 5 yard touchdown with 3:25 left in the third to pull West within 11 points, 17-6.

Rapids’ defense respnded well from last Friday night’s loss by limiting Wausau West QB Jordon Huehnerfuss to 9 completions on 26 attempts for 106 yards, 1TD, and 3 interceptions. Red Raider Tyler Wendt led the team with two picks, one to end the third, and after a Red Raider three and out, Wendt picked off another one to seal the victory early in the 4th.

“I got switched from QB to DB after Tesch went down. It felt really good out there,” said Wendt.

Red Raider freshman Mike Wienfurter rounded out the scoring, plunging in from the one yard line with 5:22 left in the fourth capping an 8 play Red Raider scoring drive to finsih the night 23-6.

“Now my Dad gets to wash my game pants,” said Wienfurter.

Red Raider senior Justin Reinke summed up the night, and season, with one quote.

“I wish we had a better season. This was the last game of the season, but I did not want to think about that. I was just focusing on getting the W,” said Reinke.

Red Raider notes: Lincoln Seniors Zach Hagen, and Kody Roberts were part of the Army National Guard before the game… Jake Fiegel showed some leg strength knocking a kickoff to the end zone… Regis Henke, Tyler Tesch, and Zach Bassuener all had interception slip through their hands during the rainy first half… Jeremy Statz played like a man possesed on special teams with huge blocks, and sure tackles… CWS player of the game on the D-line had to be Jake Dickey… Terry Jepson won the Lincoln fan of the game… Red Raider soccer player Katelyn Becker had her extra point attempt blocked.