- River Falls (8-1)[5-1 in WIAC]; No Movement
Week 9 result: W vs. La Crosse 41-7
Even though this necessarily doesn’t mean they clinch the top spot in the Momentum Shift, River Falls won their first WIAC title since 1998 last Saturday after winning their second straight 1-2 matchup, once again in dominating fashion. Kaleb Blaha followed up his unreal performance with another 300-yard passing spectacle, just without as much scoring, only accounting for two of the Falcons’ touchdowns, both of which were thrown to Austin Rush. Tailback Trevor Asher got his time to shine, matching Blaha’s contributions on the ground and nearing 150 yards rushing. Even though the season isn’t over, it isn’t far out of the question to assume River Falls will rest their starters next week and gear up for the playoffs. And from a writer of a conference rival and the only team that has so far beaten the Falcons this season, I must tip my hat in congratulations.
Week 10 matchup: @ Stout
- Platteville (7-2) [4-2 in WIAC]; Up One Spot
Week 9 result : W vs. Stout 24-23
It’s honestly a miracle Platteville is still in the top three, let alone second after Saturday’s affair. Every Pioneer fan went through the ultimate heart-stopping roller coaster as their team seemed destined to blow a 14-point fourth quarter lead before a failed two-point conversion by Stout put those worries to rest. Or so we all thought. An onside kick recovery by the visitors gave them life, and a drive that allowed them to attempt a game-winning 42-yard field goal gave Pioneer fans flare-ups. Until, once again, another game-altering mistake by Stout in the form of a miss saved Platteville’s game and standing in the WIAC. And that’s truly what to take away from Saturday. No prominent players or statistics, just the insane minecart ride every Pioneer fan, player and coach had to take in that final minute.
Week 10 matchup: @ Eau Claire
- Whitewater (7-2) [4-2 in WIAC]; Up One Spot
Week 9 result: W vs. Oshkosh 51-10
What’s the best way to rebound after a massive loss? A massive win, and that’s exactly the idea Whitewater went for. Over 300 yards on the ground and 200 in the air equals an exquisite day offensively. Couple that with 51 points, and it almost makes you forget last weekend. Almost.
Week 10 matchup: @ Oshkosh
- La Crosse (6-2) [4-2 in WIAC]; Down Two Spots
Week 9 result: L @ River Falls 41-7
You can only imagine how it feels to get 34 straight points dropped on you for 55 minutes of a game. For the Eagles though, they actually do know how it feels to be another victim on River Falls’ flight to the top of the WIAC. La Crosse threw out both Jacob Huber and Nolan Mosier for reps behind center, totaling less than 200 yards, three interceptions and no scores. The only score of the day came courtesy of halfback Gabe Lynch, who had 23 yards on his 12 carries. All-around, La Crosse got dominated, and it came in their biggest game of the season. Just a no good, very bad Saturday.
Week 10 matchup: @ Stevens Point
- Oshkosh (5-4) [3-3 in WIAC]; Up Two Spots
Week 9 result: W vs. Eau Claire 41-15
After weeks of conservative offensive play calling at the hands of head coach Peter Jennings, Oshkosh came out of the gate with two passing plays that resulted in a touchdown before a minute had even passed in the game. It proved to be only the beginning, as Oshkosh kept going through the air for the majority of the 60 minutes, scoring the most points they’ve scored in a game this season. The other storyline entering Saturday’s contest was who Jennings would decide to start behind center. After struggling the last two weeks to move the ball, Senior Quentin Keene ended up keeping his starting role, but was taken out of the game early with an injury to his throwing (right) shoulder. Sophomore AJ Korth game in relief and put on a clinic, throwing for two touchdowns and making a strong argument for why he should be considered for the starting job next season. Overall, it was a game that all Titan fans could really enjoy, and a reversal of what we’d come to expect from this team after the last few weeks. Also, shoutout to Kyle Dietzen, who came through for several sacks and a key fourth-down run stuff. I promise WRST’s Brayden Junkers won’t overlook you going into this week.
Week 10 matchup: vs. Whitewater
- Stout (5-4) [3-3 in WIAC]; No Movement
Week 9 result: L @ Platteville 24-23
If you ever needed an example of how to lose a game, look no further than how Stout finished out their game against Platteville. After trailing by 14 points in the fourth quarter, they rallied to score a touchdown with less than a minute left, and wildly decided to go for two. A decision that at the time may have made sense due to having the momentum, but looking back, the Blue Devils also might regret it, as they’d go on to fail the conversion. But something even more insane happened, as Stout recovered the onside kick and drove all the way downfield to give their kicker a shot at a 42-yard field goal, 12 yards longer than their long for their career. But alas, it would not be Garrison Jackman’s day of triumph, as he couldn’t connect as time expired. One positive from the loss is that it does show that this Blue Devil team can compete against the best of the best in the WIAC, but man, a missed opportunity like that stings.
Week 10 matchup: vs. River Falls
- Stevens Point (4-5)[1-5 in WIAC]; Down Two Spots
Week 9 result: L @ Oshkosh 15-41
Stevens Point followed up their biggest win of the decade so far with quite the stinker. Their wildcat-centric offense of wonder didn’t have the same effect it did against Eau Claire, with Charlie Smith specifically struggling when asked to pick up the slack for the offense through the air. Brycen Cashin still put up yards, but it wasn’t as efficient as last week, zipping and zapping between blocks for 72 yards across 25 carries. The Pointers still have another shot at their first season with multiple conference wins since 2018, but it’ll come against a team looking for a rebound of their own.
Week 10 matchup: vs. La Crosse
- Eau Claire (3-6)[0-6 in WIAC]
Week 9 result: L @ Whitewater 10-51
Speaking of conference wins, Eau Claire stands alone as the only team to not have a WIAC win to their name, and this weekend was one of their worst games period of the season. After only trailing by a touchdown at the end of the first, the wheels completely fell off the Blugold train. Ayden Helder had a brutal game at quarterback, throwing four interceptions and posting a sub-50% completion percentage. And with a halftime deficit of 41-3, it made the running game nearly impossible to use in the second half. The Blugolds seemed to show promise in the Oshkosh game earlier this season, but looking back it serves as a sign of what came to be for the team moving forward, as they just haven’t been able to figure out the WIAC. And it might mean a change in leadership that could come as soon as this off-season.
Week 10 matchup: vs. Platteville
NOTE ABOUT RANKINGS: Rankings don’t follow one or two key factors other than winning and losing. The phrase “What have you done for me lately?” describes my thought process fairly well, as I only consider results from the current season, and thus rankings aren’t created until a full month of football has passed.
