Waupaca loses battle up front, loses title game

MADISON - The stat sheet says Catholic Memorial recorded just one sack, but anybody who watched Friday’s Division 3 state title football game between the Crusaders and Waupaca knows that hardly defines the pressure Memorial put on quarterback Sam Menzies.

A week after taking care of West De Pere’s defensive line, Waupaca faced a similar test Friday and knew how it would deal with Memorial’s size would determine whether the Comets would bring home a gold ball or a silver ball.

Waupaca didn’t deal well.

Menzies spent the better part of the game running from defenders and often took hard hits on runs or pass attempts. It never stopped and it ultimately stopped Waupaca’s quest to win a third state title in seven seasons.

Waupaca’s offense was handcuffed and dropped a 42-7 decision at Camp Randall Stadium.

“That’s a big defensive front that we’re trying to move around,” Waupaca coach John Koronkiewicz said.

It was big, it was active and Waupaca just couldn’t slow down the Crusaders. Ironically the one sack Memorial had, which came in the fourth quarter, was on a flea-flicker in which the toss back to Menzies was not handled and Menzies had to cover up, leading to a loss of 19 yards.

While the sacks didn’t add up, the interceptions did. Menzies entered the game with 10 interceptions and left with 14 after throwing four.

“That’s why they’re here,” Menzies said. “The pass rush, credit to their D-line and linebackers. They came hard. I really don’t know what was going on; good blitz packages.”

Despite Menzies getting planted into Camp Randall Stadium’s Field Turf time after time, Waupaca (12-1) still was in the game entering the third quarter. Memorial (11-2) led 14-0 and if Waupaca could hold the Crusaders out of the gate, it could possibly cut Memorial’s lead in half.

However, Wisconsin recruit Matt Hubley had different thoughts. On the first scrimmage play of the third quarter, Hubley knifed his way through the Waupaca defense and scampered 70 yards for a touchdown.

“We thought we had to get it to a one-score game,” Koronkiewicz said. “We had it at 21-7 but then gave up that touchdown and after that it was pretty much just playing it out.”

Hubley’s touchdown wasn’t even Memorial’s longest TD play of the day. The Crusaders also had a 77-yard TD pass in the first quarter.

Just like its defensive line had its way with Waupaca, so did Memorial’s offensive line and it led to big plays and 404 yards of offense, including a season-high 179 passing yards from Pat White.

“That’s a big offensive line, they have outstanding skilled athletes,” Koronkiewicz said. “We gave up some plays we wish we would have back and put momentum on their side.”

Memorial averaged 10.4 yards per play and Waupaca was limited to 3.7 yards per play. That defines the domination Memorial put on Waupaca and is why the Comets fell short of a state title.

Nonetheless, Waupaca played on the final day of the season and that can’t be forgotten.

“You have to look at the bright side here; we have nothing be ashamed of,” Koronkiewicz said. “This was an outstanding achievement and we beat some pretty good football teams along the way. We ran into a good football team and that’s what you would expect.”

"We have to be proud of what we accomplished," Ash said. "We wish we could've had a different outcome."

• Notes: Menzies had 66 yards rushing on 22 attempts. … Hubley had 199 yards on 19 carries and two TDs and had three tackles for loss. … Levi Petroske led Waupaca with seven tackles. … Before Friday the most points Waupaca allowed this season was 28 to Xavier.
• Game ball: Petroske, who despite being 140 pounds and playing along the defensive line, totaled seven tackles.
• Numbers game: 12 Wins this season for Waupaca.

CATHOLIC MEMORIAL 42, WAUPACA 7
Waupaca........................0  0  7  0  -  7       
Catholic Memorial.....14  0  7 21  - 42       

Scoring Summary
First Quarter
CM - Matt Hubley 2 yd run (Mitch Meindel kick). Drive: 6 plays, 76 yards, 2:35.
CM - Andre Bodden 77 yd pass from Pat White (Meindel kick). Drive: 2 plays, 77 yards, 0:49.

Third Quarter
CM - Hubley 70 yd run (Meindel kick). Drive: 1 play, 70 yards, 0:14.
WAU - Nathan Nelson 4 yd pass from Sam Menzies (Beau Ash kick). Drive: 16 plays, 76 yards, 8:33.

Fourth Quarter
CM - Alec Kocour 25 yd pass from White (Meindel kick). Drive: 11 plays, 79 yards, 6:37.
CM - Meindel 21 yd pass from White (Meindel kick). Drive: 4 plays, 35 yards, 1:32.
CM - Bodden 10 yd interception return (Meindel kick).

Follow Doug Ritchay on Twitter @dougritchay

doug.ritchay@wluk.com