For the Tomahawk Leader
WITTENBERG – The Tomahawk High School football team recently fell to Wittenberg-Birnamwood and Wausau East.
Wittenberg-Birnamwood
The THS football team traveled to Wittenberg on Friday, Aug. 30 to face the Chargers in a non-conference matchup.
Coach Dewey Reilly requested the game, actively seeking teams that would prepare the Hatchets for their GNC schedule.
The Chargers did not disappoint and got on the scoreboard first with a 14-yard touchdown pass and would take the early 0-7 lead.
The Hatchets were unable to gain much momentum offensively and would again have to punt. Wittenberg-Birnamwood would take advantage of the change of possession and drive six plays for 51 yards, including a nine-yard touchdown run to go up 0-14.
The Hatchets’ luck would turn late in the second quarter, when freshman outside linebacker Lucas Haring would recover a fumble inside the Chargers’ five yard line. The Hatchets would capitalize on the turnover, cutting the deficit to 7-14 after a four-yard touchdown run by senior Brayden Larson and a successful Horabik kick.
The ensuing Charger drive would eat up the last four minutes of the half and would reach the end zone at the 0:16 mark. The failed two-point conversion attempt would send the Hatchets into halftime down 7-19.
After some halftime adjustments, the Hatchets were able to battle back and forth throughout the third quarter, with neither team able to score. It wasn’t until halfway through the fourth quarter that the Hatchets broke the stalemate, with Junior Rex Reilly crossing the threshold on a one-yard touchdown run. Horabik remained perfect on the season with the added extra point to close the gap 14-19.
With momentum now swinging in the Hatchets’ favor, the Hatchet D was able to get a stop and give the offense one last chance to take the lead. On fourth down, the Hatchets just barely missed connecting on a long pass that would end the possession and their last chance at victory.
The Chargers converted on a busted play and QB run for their final score with a minute left in the contest. The final tally would see the Hatchets down 14-26 as time expired.
Coach Reilly reiterated to his players that this was a litmus test matchup for them. The Chargers, coming off a level three appearance in the playoffs last year, would be a great opportunity for the Hatchets to see where they stack up competitively in the division.
“Even though it was not our best performance, we still gave ourselves a chance to win a football game against a quality opponent. If we aren’t winning, we are learning,” Reilly stated after the game.
Wausau East
The Hatchets traveled to historic Thom Field on Friday, Sept. 6 to face Wausau East in the newly aligned Great Northern Conference.
The matchup would see the Hatchets come up short in a night that was plagued by Hatchet turnovers. Seven turnovers on the night would lead to three unanswered scores by East, leading to an 11-27 defeat.
“You expect a turnover, or two, in high school football,” Reilly said after the game. “You don’t plan for seven. Surprisingly, even with giving them the ball and good field position, I never felt overmatched or like we were out of the game.”
As stated, the Hatchets were able to move the football throughout the night behind their offensive line, accumulating a season-high 297 yards rushing. Unfortunately, costly fumbles and interceptions did not see those yards turn into points.
“It’s extremely frustrating for both players and coaches when you have great runs and drives not scoring,” Reilly stated. “That’s my job as a coach, to make sure we possess and protect the football.”
Friday’s game will again be a learning opportunity for the Hatchets.
“We will continue to try and raise our football IQ,” Reilly said. “There was nothing overly complex about what took place during the game. It comes down to protecting the football on offense, trusting the defensive scheme and executing your role within it.”
The Hatchet offense would see Rex Reilly with 20 carries for 228 yards, one touchdown, two fumbles and going 4-7 for 30 yards and three interceptions. Brayden Larson gathered 35 yards on 10 carries, and Landyn Seymour had six touches for 13 yards.
Hatchet defensive leaders include Rex Reilly, 15 tackles and a forced fumble; Brayden Larson, 11 tackles and one interception; and Ethan Gibeault, Jack Amelse and Kaiden Kappellusch each contributing six tackles.
This week’s action
The Hatchets will next line up for their first home game, hosting Antigo at Hatchet field Friday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m.