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MarshfieldAreaSports.com
AMHERST – For the second time in three years, the Stratford football team’s season ended in heart-breaking fashion.
Amherst quarterback Chris Zblewski connected with Ryan Makuski for a 24-yard touchdown pass with 12 seconds remaining to lead the Falcons to a stunning 21-14 win over Stratford in a WIAA Division 5 Level 3 playoff game Saturday afternoon at Amherst High School.
The game-winning touchdown came after Stratford missed out on a golden chance to potentially win the game itself.
The Tigers reached the Amherst 6-yard line with less than 2 minutes to play following a 42-yard halfback pass from Travis Urlaub to quarterback Drew Spaeth.
However, a holding penalty on second down and a false start penalty on third down pushed the Tigers back into a fourth-and-goal situation from the 27. Following a timeout, Spaeth was intercepted on his fourth-down heave and Amherst ran it back 46 yards to Amherst 35. Two plays later, the Falcons connected on the winning touchdown.
The loss comes just two years after Stratford suffered a 23-20 loss to Darlington on a last-second, controversial field goal, in a Level 2 game.
The loss also marks the end of long-time head coach Cal Tackes’ career at Stratford. He said prior to the season that he would retire from coaching at season’s end. Tackes led the Tigers to six straight Division 6 state championships from 2003-08.
Both teams traded futile attempts to take the lead earlier in the second half.
In the third quarter after each team scored touchdowns, Stratford fumbled at the Amherst 25 and the Falcons turned around and drove down to the Stratford 5 before it fumbled.
Amherst had another opportunity to score late in the fourth but Stratford’s Dondrick Tackes blocked a 20-yard field goal attempt by Falcons’ kicker Garth Groshek with 4:35 remaining.
Eli Temanson had a 16-yard touchdown run for Stratford in the second quarter to open the scoring.
Amherst responded with a 9-yard TD run by Chris Zblewski later in the quarter and the 7-7 score held into halftime.
Amherst took the lead early in the third quarter. A 50-yard run by Conner Zblewski on the first offensive play of the second half led to a 4-yard TD run by the sophomore running back and the Falcons led 14-7 just 1:58 into the third quarter.
Late in the period, Urlaub scored from 5 yards out for Stratford to knot the score at 14-14.
Amherst (11-0) moves on to a Division 5 state semifinal against Colby (9-2) next weekend. A date, time and site will be announced on Sunday. Colby beat Prescott 14-6 on Saturday.
Stratford’s season ends with an 8-3 record. All three of the Tigers’ losses came to undefeated teams that remain in the WIAA playoffs. Stratford lost during the regular season to Eau Claire Regis and Edgar, both of whom are now 11-0 and will face each other in a Division 6 semifinal next weekend.
Falcons 21, Tigers 14
Stratford 0 7 7 0 – 14
Amherst 0 7 7 7 – 21
Second Quarter
S – Eli Temanson 16 run (Jake Zuelke kick), 7:53.
A – Chris Zblewski 9 run (Garth Groshek kick), 4:13.
Third Quarter
A – Connor Zblewski 4 run (Groshek kick), 10:02.
S – Travis Urlaub 5 run (Zuelke kick), 6:52.
Fourth Quarter
A – Ryan Makuski 24 pass from Ch. Zblewski (Groshek kick), 0:12.
Records: Stratford 8-3; Amherst 11-0.