Hilltoppers earn state berth

SCHOFIELD — Glenwood City’s football team earned a spot in the state’s football championship game by dumping previously undefeated Hilbert Wolves by a score of 28-8. The game was played on D. C. Everest high school football field early Saturday afternoon under an overcast sky that saw the Hilltoppers dominate the game.

The win puts the Hilltoppers onto Camp Randall Field on the University of Wisconsin at Madison for the Division Seven Championship game against Potosi. This is the third time the Hilltoppers have gained a state berth; the game is schedule for 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 15.

Undefeated Potosi is the champion of the Six Rivers Conference. The town is located near the Iowa Border in southwestern Wisconsin. This is the first time that Potosi has played for a state title.

Potosi has been averaging 42 points per game this season, including 38 points a game in the playoffs.

Quarterback Tim Fritz has thrown for over 1,500 yards this year and their lead running back, Jase Udelhofen, has rushed for over 1,300 yards so far this season.

“Potosi is very athletic and explosive on both sides of the ball. They have size and speed which is a big reason they are 12-0, said coach Shane Strong. I feel our kids have a great opportunity to win this football game if they play fast and disciplined. It will be important for our offense to control the ball and get first downs. We will do everything we can to keep their offense off the field and out of rhythm.”

The Hilltoppers won state titles in 1985 and 1997. The ’85 team had the same record as the current team at 10-2 going into Madison for the championship game. Under the direction of Brad Nemec, the Toppers stopped Deerfield in a Division Six match up by a score of 12-0.

Coach Phil Ottney lead the 1997 Toppers to a 36-14 victory over Waterloo for a perfect 14-0 season and the state title in Division five.

Tickets for the Thursday game at Camp Randall are on sale at the High School office until 10 a.m. Wednesday morning. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and tickets are $8.00 for everyone. A Pep-Fest is scheduled at the high school for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The only other team from this area to make it to the state tourney is Somerset who will be playing Big Foot for the Division Four Championship.

In 1985 the Toppers lost two games and posted an 11-2 season record. They lost the opening game against Barron on a 14-8 score, downed Prescott 6-0, and Elk Mound, 9-0. Over Spring Valley 27-3 and St. Croix Central 14-6. The second loss was to Elmwood by just one point 15-14.

It was all wins from that point, downing Pepin 39-2, Boyceville 35-7. Colfax 50-0, Plum City 39-0. In the playoffs, the Toppers took advantage of Clear Lake, 31-14; Wild Rose 20-0 and Deerfield for the gold trophy.

In 1997 the Hilltoppers blazed through all their opponents with lopsided scores. Opening at Chippewa Falls McDonnell by a score of 42-6 and then the following: Somerset 14-8; Elk Mound 41-21; Boyceville 49-14; Colfax 34-6; Pepin 43-20; Spring Valley 22-8; Elmwood 43-14; Plum City 61-23. The opening game of the post-season play was a second game against Elk Mound and the Toppers got by on a 15-6 score, over Pittsville 37-0; Thorp 50-30; Manawa 37-0 and the championship game over Waterloo.

The games will be televised live on Fox Sports Wisconsin and will also be streamed live online at foxsportswisconsin.com.

Read the game action against Hilbert on the Sports pages inside this issue.