Prairie du Chien gridders defeat Arcadia
Prairie du Chien’s Mason Kramer hauls in a pass on the far side of the field and breaks away for the Blackhawks’ first touchdown of the night. (Photos by Ted Pennekamp)
Traeton Saint takes advantage of a good block and runs for nice yardage versus Arcadia.
A trio of Prairie du Chien defenders stop the Arcadia ballcarrier Friday night.
Mason Kramer makes a nice catch for a big gain.
By Zach Mara
The Prairie du Chien Blackhawks hosted the Arcadia Raiders on Friday night in Level 2 of the WIAA Division 5 playoffs. In a rematch of Week 5, in which the Blackhawks took down Arcadia 30-12, the Hawks knew the key to a victory would be stopping the run early and establishing a run game of their own. Although Prairie was unable to put up big numbers on the ground, the air attack was successful throughout the game, and the Blackhawks’ defense held Arcadia to under 150 offensive yards for the game. After a back-and-forth, high scoring second half, the Blackhawks (10-1) were able to pull away and defeat the Raiders (6-5) by a score of 28-14.
The defenses were spectacular early, as the first seven possessions of the game would end in punts, 4 of which followed 3-and-out possessions. Midway through the second quarter, after Arcadia’s fourth punt of the game, the Hawks were able to get on the board with a 43-yard TD pass from QB Dylan Coleman to Mason Kramer. The extra point was no good, but the Hawks had taken a 6-0 lead with 2 minutes remaining before halftime. The Raiders didn’t fold, however, answering the score by driving down into PdC territory on 5 plays. With 50 seconds before halftime, QB Chase Patzner lobbed up a ball that came down into the arms of Mason Kramer, who now has 8 interceptions on the season. After a PdC turnover, the game went to halftime with the Blackhawks leading 6-0.
The second half started much like the first, as the first three possessions resulted in punts. With 7:27 remaining in the 3rd quarter, the Raiders took over on their own 32-yard line. Two plays later, Coleman picked off Patzner near midfield and the Hawks took over with great field position. After a 33-yard pass to Kramer set up PdC in the red zone, Coleman found Kramer once again, extending the lead to 12-0 on an 8-yard TD pass. The 2-point pass to Kramer was also successful, and the Blackhawks led 14-0. Arcadia would answer immediately, taking the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. Their 2-point try was successful, trimming the lead to 14-8. After two more punts and another PdC turnover, the Raiders took over in PdC territory with 3 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter. Twelve plays later, Patzner found Michael Schweisthal open for a 9-yard touchdown. The Hawks denied the 2-point attempt, but the game was now tied 14-14 early in the 4th quarter.
Needing a score to regain momentum, the Blackhawks were able to drive 55 yards on 5 plays to regain the lead on an 11-yard TD run from Bradyn Saint. The 2-point conversion was no good, keeping the score at 20-14, PdC. Arcadia’s ensuing possession was cut short after Patzner’s 3rd interception of the game landed in the hands of Jon Nicholson in Raider territory. Four plays later, Traeton Saint got into the end zone from 12 yards out as the Hawks piled on the points late. The 2-point play, featuring a direct snap to Colten Wall, was successful, giving the Hawks a 28-15 lead with under 6 minutes remaining in the game. Traeton Saint would end the next Arcadia possession by hauling in Patzner’s 4th interception of the game. The Hawks ran down most of the clock before turning the ball over to Arcadia on downs, but the late scoring from PdC proved to be too much for Arcadia as the Blackhawks would end the game in victory formation. After two kneel downs from Coleman, Prairie du Chien was able to celebrate a 28-14 Level 2 win.
Traeton Saint led PdC rushers with 13 carries for 47 yards and 1 touchdown. Bradyn Saint ran the ball twice for 15 yards and a TD of his own. Dylan Coleman was 7-for-20 in the air for 156 yards, 2 TD, and 1 interception. Leading the receivers was Mason Kramer, who hauled in 4 passes for 115 yards and 2 touchdowns. Sophomore Max Amundson once again led the defense in tackles, recording 10 in the game. Traeton Saint added 8 tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception and Colten Wall contributed 8 tackles of his own in the game. Mason Kramer’s 8th interception of the season is also his 16th career interception, and Kramer has now tied the PdC record for single-season and career interceptions.
The Blackhawks will travel to #1 G-E-T to play the RedHawks (10-1) on Friday night in Level 3 of the WIAA Division 5 Playoffs. Game time is 7 p.m.
