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MarshfieldAreaSports.com
STRATFORD – The Stratford football team is moving on to Level 3 of the WIAA playoffs for the third time in the last four years after crushing Westby 43-12 in a Division 5 Level 2 matchup Friday night at Tiger Stadium.
The Tigers (9-2) won their sixth-straight game to advance to Level 3 where they will take on Spencer/Columbus Catholic (11-0) in a matchup of former Marawood Conference rivals. The game is tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Spencer High School.
The last time Stratford and Spencer/Columbus played was in Level 2 of the 2013 playoffs, where the Tigers won 33-15. It was also the last time Stratford advanced to Level 3 of the playoffs.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Tigers ripped off three scoring drives in the second quarter to take a 21-0 halftime lead.
Stratford scored on its opening possession of the second half, and after a Westby turnover, the Tigers scored again to go up 36-0.
Cole Hoffmann rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries, and Kam Bornbach added another 79 yards rushing and two scores.
Sam Wenzel also tossed a touchdown pass to Nick Stoflet for Stratford.
Aiden Hoffmann had 11 tackles lead the Stratford defense, which surrendered two late scores to Westby.
Tigers 43, Norsemen 12
Westby 0 0 0 12 – 12
Stratford 0 21 22 0 – 43
Note: Scoring plays and Westby statistics not provided.
Individual Statistics
Rushing: S, Cole Hoffmann 7-114, Kam Bornbach 17-79, Taylor Krall 9-33, A.J. Schoenfuss 1-5, David Marquardt 1-2, Wyatt Ehrike 1-minus 1, Mark Handrick 3-minus 2, Sam Wenzel 1-minus 2, Jordan Becker 1-minus 7.
Passing: S, Wenzel 5-7-31-0, Hoffmann 1-1-17-0.
Receiving: S, Nick Stoflet 2-20, Krall 2-15, Hoffmann 1-7, Bornbach 1-6.
Interceptions (defense): S, Ehrike.
Records: Westby 8-3; Stratford 9-2.