Stratford football advances to state title game

WAUPACA, Wis. (WSAW) - Stratford football has advanced to the state championship game for the 10th time in school history with a thrilling 20-14 win over St. Mary’s Springs in overtime.

The two sides scored a combined 27 points from the fourth quarter until the end of regulation in a thrilling game. Eventually, Koehler Kilty’s touchdown in overtime was the deciding score in the Stratford win.

In a matchup of two programs with a combined 21 appearances in state title games, Stratford took the early advantage with a touchdown from quarterback Braeden Schueller late in the second quarter. Schueller found Gavin Leonhardt for the only score of the first half.

In a defensive slugfest, St. Mary’s Springs had two interceptions in the first half, but the Stratford defense continued to keep the Ledgers scoreless. With 8:27 left to go in the fourth quarter, the Ledgers finally found the end zone on a Tigers defensive mishap to tie the game at seven.

The Tigers responded with a touchdown on a two-yard run from quarterback Schueller with under two minutes left, giving them a 14-7 lead. St. Mary’s Springs offense came to life in the final minute, scoring a touchdown with 27 seconds left to tie the game at 14. The Ledgers elected to kick an extra point rather than go for a two-point conversion, sending the game to overtime.

In overtime, Kilty took a hand-off inside the ten-yard-line to give Stratford a 20-14 lead. A defensive stop on the Ledgers turn on offense gave Stratford the 20-14 win.

Copyright 2022 WSAW. All rights reserved.