D3 State Championship: Pewaukee vs Rice Lake

Defense wins championships was a well represented belief in the Division 3 State Championship showdown between Pewaukee (11-2) and Rice Lake (11-2). Pewaukee entered the game having not allowed more than 19 points all season. They also had six shutouts on the season, including three in the playoffs! Not to be outdone, Rice Lake fielded the state leader in INTs and they only allowed opponents to break 21 points three times entering the game. This set the stage for a slugfest to decide who was going to take home the crown of D3 State Champs! This matchup also was made up of a ton of under the radar seniors that are still looking for their homes next fall. Make sure to check them out in the players of the game section! Let’s first get into the action on the field! Game Recap This game was not only a defensive battle, but a run heavy, clock controlling game on the offensive side of the ball. Both teams relied heavily on their run games and the mix of strong rushing attacks and great defense led to each team only having eight drives in the whole game. The game started off with a long, time consuming drive by Pewaukee. QB [player_tooltip player_id="118351" first="Carson" last="Hansen"] led the offense with several strong runs. [player_tooltip player_id="31285" first="Max" last="Sheridan"] and Matthew Ciesielcyzk also delivered key runs as Pewaukee moved down to the Rice Lake 1 before Hansen punched it in from 1 yard out and added the two point conversion for the 8-0 lead. Rice Lake answered with their own early success on the ground. QB Cole Fenske, 28 yards, and FB Easton Stone, 26 yards, big runs got the offense into Pewaukee territory. Pewaukee’s defense may have bent, but they weren’t going to break as they eventually forced a turnover on downs in their own territory. The defensive highlights were just getting started because on the first Pewaukee play following the turnover they fumbled it back to Rice Lake. QB Fenske wasn’t going to allow his offense to leave the field without points this time as the second quarter got underway. He was able to run through contact for a 4 yard score, but the failed two point conversion kept Pewaukee just ahead 8-6. The Pewaukee Pirates looked poised to add to their lead on the next drive as Hansen ripped off a 34 yard carry, and Ryan Borckmann was able to gain 15 yards to the Rice Lake 15. Defense wins championships though, and Rice Lake’s stepped up as OLB Keegan Gunderson wrapped up the Pewaukee QB and punched the ball out for his Rice Lake teammates to recover at the Rice Lake 42. Not to be outdone by the forced fumble, the Pewaukee star LB tandem of [player_tooltip player_id="31285" first="Max" last="Sheridan"] and [player_tooltip player_id="31283" first="Nick" last="Dettlaff"] teamed up to create a turnover. Dettlaff forced the fumble and Sheridan recovered. The defensive haymakers were flying as Rice Lake responded with what looked like an INT in the endzone, but it was eventually overturned just for the Rice Lake Warriors to stuff a 4th down rush attempt for the turnover on downs. The first half ended with Pewaukee stars [player_tooltip player_id="31283" first="Nick" last="Dettlaff"] and [player_tooltip player_id="118351" first="Carson" last="Hansen"] meeting at the QB for a sack and forced fumble. They weren’t able to convert the field goal as the clock expired in the first half leaving us with Pewaukee holding onto their 8-6 lead. The second half didn’t start with the big time plays and turnovers on defense, but it was still dominant defense. Both defenses forced early punts, and made it look like moving the ball as going to be even harder than in the first half. The first offense to get in rhythm was mid third quarter when Rice Lake sophomore FB Easton Stone was able to churn out consistent yards thanks to some very powerful running. All the success on the ground wasn’t able to end in points, though, as the field goal attempt hit the post. The third quarter ended on a long Pewaukee drive led by Logan Schill who was able to convert a 3rd & 12 with a 17 yard catch. Once again the drive didn’t end in points as Rice Lake DB [player_tooltip player_id="209816" first="Elliott" last="Nolin"] broke up a 4th down pass getting his offense back on the field. Rice Lake once again went to the young FB Stone. He converted a 4th & 1, but was stuffed on 4th & 2 later in the drive. From there it looked like Pewaukee was going to run out the clock, but with 1:40 remaining in the game QB [player_tooltip player_id="118351" first="Carson" last="Hansen"] broke loose for a 26 yard TD! The final nail was put in the coffin on the next drive when Pewaukee DB Nathan Schroeder jumped a route and made the INT allowing his offense to kneel out the clock for the D3 State Championship! Players of the Game [player_tooltip player_id="31285" first="Max" last="Sheridan"], ’22 RB/LB- Pewaukee Stat Line: 3 Carries, 19 Yards, 1 Reception, 13 Yards, 9 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FF The 6’2" 195 lbs senior LB proved why he is one of the top steals in the state at the LB position. The stud has a nose for the ball and the range to get him to it early and often leading him to making several tackles right at the line of scrimmage. Max is a very reliable tackler who does a great job of getting his hands or pads directly on the ball. Laterally speaking, Sheridan has the twitch to be able to avoid blocks at the second level, and then he accelerates to get to the ball quickly. Max also does a great job of reading the flow of the play and maintaining his gap as it moves laterally. The senior has recently earned an offer from Upper Iowa. Don’t miss out on the talented LB! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11289442/619c5fa5ab922807b85cdff3">Max’s State Highlights</a> [player_tooltip player_id="31283" first="Nick" last="Dettlaff"], ’22 RB/LB- Pewaukee Stat Line: 6 Carries, 11 Yards, 6 Tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 Sack, 1 FR, 1 FF, 1 PBU The 6’1" 203 lbs senior is a key member of a dominant Pewaukee LB corps! Nick is a very stout defender against the run game. So much so that there were several plays where Pewaukee actually had Nick playing on the DL where he could use his strength and ability to slip off blocks quickly so he could make stops in the trenches. Dettlaff isn’t just a strong, box defender though. He also demonstrated range as he chased down ball carriers out in space. Dettlaff also has recently earned himself an offer from Upper Iowa following a solid senior campaign. Check out his highlights here! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11289447/61a668ba5b3d130a5cb277df">Nick’s State Highlights</a> [player_tooltip player_id="118351" first="Carson" last="Hansen"], ’22 QB/LB- Pewaukee Stat Line: 5/9, 69 Yards, 20 Carries, 98 Yards, 2 TDs, 3 Tackles It looks like this was our last time seeing the 6’2" 192 lbs senior on the gridiron. Carson is currently a UW- Milwaukee baseball commit. The QB, who is more RB than anything, carried the load for Pewaukee. He attacked the edges and between the tackles with equal success. Carson is a strong runner who you can count on to pick up yards after contact each carry. His ability to see his blocks and see the running lanes as soon as they appear led to several big chunk plays on the day for Hansen. Once he found the holes, Carson flashed the speed to be a problem to contain. His power came out on those big runs too where he was able to highlight a wicked stiff arm. Check out the highlight here! Good luck on the diamond, Carson! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11289439/619be44c7bddaf05502b8c4e">Carson’s State Highlights</a> [player_tooltip player_id="118645" first="Ethan" last="Reynolds"], ’22 OL/DL- Pewaukee Stat Line: 2 Tackles, 300+ Yards of Offense The 6’4" 284 lbs senior OL has an impressive frame that the next level should find very intriguing! It is a frame that looks like it can handle a good bit more size and strength on it while still being able to have effective mobility. The type of mobility that he uses to quickly get up to the second level to wall off LBs allowing his backs to spring loose for big gains. All day long, Ethan was a major part in resetting the line of scrimmage multiple yards downfield as he generated a ton of movement with the rest of his line mates. Definitely an under the radar prospect that needs more attention! Nathan Schroeder, ’22 DB- Pewaukee Stat Line: 4 Tackles, 1 INT The 5’10" 171 lbs senior stepped up clutch late at the end of the game when he perfectly read the route, closed quickly, and then naturally plucked the ball out of the air for the INT. Nathan lined up in the slot and at safety on the day. When back at safety Schroeder was able to highlight his ability to quickly diagnose plays, flash the range, and reliable tackling as he made plays sideline to sideline. Nathan also proved to have the athleticism to turn and run with receivers as well as look and lean to feel the WR while finding the ball in the air. Nathan has put together a strong run here in the playoffs. Under the radar prospect at DB. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11289440/619c3bfe5ef7660b980d8fc8">Nathan’s State Highlights</a> Logan Schill, ’22 DB/WR- Pewaukee Stat Line: 2 Carries, 9 Yards, 3 Receptions, 34 Yards, 2 Tackles The 5’9" 157 lbs junior is an athlete to watch next season. He stepped up in coverage and as a receiver on the big stage! In coverage, Logan played with confidence while in single coverage, and was aggressive at the catch point making it very difficult to complete passes on him. Schill has the quick twitch agility that allows him to react to routes as well as run sharp routes as a receiver. The speed to continue playing out in space is also there. I’ll be interested in seeing how he grows and develops this offseason. D3 and potentially D2 schools should save this name on their recruiting boards. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12773311/619c653d066bbd059498f34f">Logan’s State Highlights</a> [player_tooltip player_id="118313" first="Alex" last="Belongia"], ’22 WR/DB- Rice Lake Stat Line: 1 Reception, 5 Yards, 7 Tackles There isn’t much I haven’t said about the 6’3" 190 lbs two way star for Rice Lake. He leads the state in INTs thanks to his elite range and ball skills. He as the frame, strength, and athleticism to be an effective three level defender. It’s clear he deserved the Jim Leonhard Award for the top DB in the state. The most impressive part of his game during the championship battle was his grit and toughness. He got banged up very early in the game, and after getting looked at came back in and continued making a big time defensive impact. He was clearly limping between plays, but once the ball was snapped the adrenaline kicked in and he was flying around making tackle after tackle in the box and out on the edge. It was impressive to see him battle through that, and still make an impact on the game! Don’t miss out on the best prospect of the game! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11432724/619d30b43dea810894f913da">Alex’s Senior Highlights</a> Cole Fenske, ’22 QB/LB- Rice Lake Stat Line: 3/9, 32 Yards, 11 Carries, 66 Yards, 7 Tackles The 6’ 195 lbs ATH was a big time weapon all season for the Rice Lake offense, and continued that into this showdown. Fenske is a decisive ball handler who excelled in the option game as he did a great job of quickly reading his man and making the right read. Once he made the read his acceleration allowed him to take advantage of any sliver of daylight. His contact balance allowed him to run through arm tackles in those tight running lanes and then flash the speed when he broke through the second level. That balance allowed him to score his TD after bouncing off a couple of tackle attempts. Schools should consider Fenske an ATH that could help on either side of the ball. The senior is still available too! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11432753/619bb162066bbd0594988957">Cole’s State Highlights</a> Easton Stone, ’24 FB/LB- Rice Lake Stat Line: 21 Carries, 98 Yards, 13 Tackles, 1 TFL The 6’1" 200 lbs sophomore two way athlete has been breaking out during the 2021 playoffs, and it all was on display on the biggest stage of the season. On offense, the big man lines up at FB. His play style is perfect for the north-south running they ask him to do. Easton is able to utilize his usually superior power, leg drive, and contact balance to break tackles, and drag defenders for large chunks of yards after the catch. It was awesome watching him tote the rock because it seemed like he got stronger as the game went on. On defense, Stone was faced with a ton of inside carries that he had to fill against, and the young fella was up to the task as he repeatedly met ball carriers right at or near the line of scrimmage. The strong runner was able to become a stout run defender. [player_tooltip player_id="209816" first="Elliott" last="Nolin"], ’22 DB- Rice Lake Stat Line: 4 Carries, 10 Yards, 5 Tackles, 1 FR, 1 FF The 6’ 175 lbs DB is one of the top senior prospects for Rice Lake, and he currently is an under the radar prospect. Yet, all he seems to do is make plays. The long, lean DB is an aggressive tackler who can be trusted to make the tackle in space against WRs and against RBs down near the box. I was really impressed with the way Nolin was able to battle through blocks in the run game so he could make the tackle. It wasn’t on display much at state, but Elliott is good in coverage as well where he was able to haul in 5 INTs on the season and break up several other passes. Check him out! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11432920/619b0687a676c80e9c59af11">Elliott’s State Highlights</a> Keegan Gunderson, ’22 OLB- Rice Lake Stat Line: 4 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 2 TFLs, 1 FF The 6’3’’ 200 lbs OLB is an intriguing edge prospect for the D3 level. Keegan has the length to be able to maintain separation allowing him to quickly disengage and either pursue the QB or stuff the outside run. Gunderson’s pass rushing was on display in the battle for the ’ship. His high motor allowed him to eventually work himself into position to be able to make plays. His hand usage was solid throughout his pass rush. They were constantly working to fight off blocks and also kept them active when he got to the QB where he was able to punch the ball out one time. Worth a look as an edge defender.