Prescott vs St. Croix Central Game Recap

We kicked off the second half of the WI HS football season with a trip to Hammond, WI for our first ever live coverage of St. Croix Central High School and Prescott High School. St. Croix Central played host at their beautiful, new facility. In front of a packed house, 4-1 St. Croix Central and 5-0 Prescott kicked off the Middle Border Conference battle. The outcome was definitely going to have a swing in the standings. If Prescott brought home the road victory they would be in sole possession or a tie for 1st place. If SCC won they would be in a three way tie for second place. The stage was set, the weather was perfect for this time of year, and the teams were ready.

This started off strong for the defenses as both teams forced turnover on downs on both opening drives for the offenses. That aggressive decision making and play calling to go for it stayed throughout the game for both teams. However, it was the aggressive play-calling for Prescott that created our first fireworks. On the first play on drive #2 for Prescott, QB Teddy Bernick dropped back and launched a deep pass to standout junior WR Kobe Russell Kobe Russell 6'1" | 185 lbs | ATH Prescott | 2026 State WI . Kobe reeled in the deep shot and sprinted 87 yards for the first points of the game. Prescott's offense looked to stay hot on their next drive and they wanted to do it through the air and to the talented junior out wide. This time it was from the 38 yard line where Teddy Bernick found Kobe Russell Kobe Russell 6'1" | 185 lbs | ATH Prescott | 2026 State WI on the slant. Russell ran through an arm tackle and again flashed the game breaking speed on the way to the 12-0 1st quarter lead. While the Prescott offense was lighting things up, their defense was proving to be a fast-flowing, stout unit that did a great job of doing their individual responsibilities to shut down the triple option of SCC. They read their keys and filled so quickly. Plus the unit proved to be a good tackling group, consistently allowing no forward moment and usually getting multiple hats to the ball.

The Prescott offense increased their lead on the first play of the 2nd quarter when senior RB/DB Barrett Temmers punched it in from 2 yards out for the 20-0 lead. It was definitely starting to look worrisome for St. Croix Central. They are so good at controlling the tempo of the game, shortening the game, and setting the tone with their triple option attack. What that offense doesn't do it give you chances to score quickly at times. So they had to find a way to get some success on the ground. At the 4:40 mark of the second quarter they finally put it all together. QB Brecken Ponath led the offense down the field and capped off the key drive with a 12 yard keeper around the right tackle. Things looked promising for SCC from there. They forced a punt, but were unable to put up any more points in the half. However, Prescott quickly re-established themselves when QB Teddy Bernick completed a deep pass to WR Cole Platson for 32 yard scoring connection. So we went into the half with Prescott on top 26-6.

The Prescott defense did a great job holding strong in the first half, but the real test starts in the second half. That is where the constant running will start to wear down a defense and chip away at it. So it was going to be interesting to see if SCC could start to find cracks in the armor, or if Prescott could prove to be an overpowering defense. It wasn't the defenses that found the first spark of the second half, though. It was the senior QB Teddy Bernick. Except this time it wasn't with his arm. This time it was his legs that led to a 50 yard scamper off what looked like a designed QB draw. 32-6 is where the game stayed for the rest of the quarter and most of the 4th quarter. The Prescott defense continued to hold strong as they flew around the field doing their job and trusting their teammates to do their's. SCC held strong on defense too as Prescott turned towards the run more in attempts to shorten the game.

The back and forth defensive punches ended when SCC FB/DL Hayden Buckel Hayden Buckel 6'1" | 205 lbs | RB/LB St. Croix Central | 2025 State WI plowed his way into the endzone from 8 yards out. The senior FB attacked downhill, ran behind his pads, and finally found the endzone to cut the deficit to 14-32. As Prescott did all night, though, if it looked like SCC was getting some footing the Cardinals of Prescott would quickly re-establish themselves. This time it was RB Brody Temmers who found his way into the endzone on the ground from 2 yards out. SCC did impress on the next drive. The Panthers never quit in this game. They are clearly a well coached team and have a roster of kids with that competitive drive to play until the final whistle. A glimpse into that drive came with 1:38 on the clock. Despite the game being all but over, SCC still battled and RB Aaron Hage ran loose for a 74 yard TD right through the middle of the Prescott defense. That pushed us to our final score of Prescott: 39 St. Croix Central: 20.

It was an impressive showing all around from the talented Prescott roster. They maintain their undefeated record and along the way proved that they could be a team that we see play into November this season. They have the talent and the talent fits very well into what they want to do on offense and defense. SCC should also have high hopes for this season. They look like a team that is on their way to a playoff berth, sitting at 4-2 on the year. Once in the dance, you never know what can happen. Especially when you can control the game like the SCC offense can. Good luck to both of these teams the rest of the season! Prep Redzone WI will be watching closely!