Titans and Tommies set for semifinals

OSHKOSH - UW-Oshkosh and Saint Thomas are a combined 26-0 this season, one of them will get their first loss in the Division 3 semifinals Saturday while the other will secure their first trip to the national championship game.

The Titans have been the comeback kids all postseason. They’ve rallied to win in all three games this postseason including a 24-9 4th quarter deficit against Linfield in the quarterfinals. No matter the score UWO's developed an unwavering belief in themselves.

Wide receiver Caleb Voss caught what proved to be the game winning touchdown pass for UWO against Linfield and said the never say die attitude was something they looked to develop this year.

“One of our main goals this year was to be a brotherhood,” said Voss. “I really think this team is a brotherhood. Everyone would stick their necks out for the other guys and it really makes us stick together in the 4th quarter."

"Slow start, fast start, the end result is what we're really looking for," added defensive back Zach Wettengel

Nate Wara has quarterbacked the Titans to those comebacks and his enthusiasm for them is tempered.

"I mean it's a great thing that we always know that we can always fight back and we're always continuing to fight but we just gotta come out swinging and just do what we do and execute,” Wara said.

The Saint Thomas offense revolves around dual threat quarterback Matt O'Connell. He's accounted for more than 3,200 yards of total offense, good thing for the Titans they see a duel threat quarterback in practice everyday in player of the year nominee Nate Wara.

Wettengel said he of course thinks Wara’s the better of the two quarterbacks, but he did have praise of O’Connell.

"It’s great when you become accustomed to it,” said Wettengel. “Their quarterback down there Matt he can run the ball well too and he can throw it so it definitely gets you in the mindset."

After playing teams with unfamiliar styles the past few weeks, head coach Pat Cerroni is happy to face a team with a more familiar style of play.

"They may be good but at least it's something we're used to. It's very WIACish,” Cerroni said. “It's defenses that we know how to play. Its offenses we're familiar with and it's going to be fun."

The St. Thomas defense also could pass for one from the WIAC according to Wara. "They're a nice strong team. They're fundamentally sound,” Wara said. “They all rally to the ball and we just gotta win it in the trenches."

By winning the battle in the trenches this team of self described underdogs will find them self playing for the national title. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Saturday in St. Paul, Minnesota.