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By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
The Stratford football team stands one win away from yet another trip to Camp Randall Stadium and the WIAA state finals.
The Tigers (11-1) will play undefeated Grantsburg (12-0) in a WIAA Division 6 Level 4 state semifinal on Friday at Dorais Field at Chippewa Falls High School as they eye their fourth trip to the state championships in Madison in the past six seasons.
Stratford was the runner-up in 2018 and 2019 before capturing its eighth state title in program history last season. The Tigers are 9-1 all-time in Level 4 games since playoff expansion in 2000.
Grantsburg has never made the state finals, losing Level 4 games in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
Here is a look at the matchup:
Division 6
No. 2 Stratford Tigers (11-1) vs. No. 1 Grantsburg Pirates (12-0)
When and where: Friday, Nov. 10, 7 p.m., at Dorais Field, Chippewa Falls High School.
About Stratford: Stratford rolled past Auburndale 40-7 in a Level 3 matchup at Auburndale last Friday…The Tigers used a pounding running game with 361 yards on 49 carries, including 100-yard performances from Koehler Kilty (184) and Gavin Leonhardt (109)…Leonhardt scored four touchdowns in the win, three on the ground and one through the air, and surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for total offense (495 rushing, 545 receiving)…Quarterback Jack Tubbs was a near perfect 8-for-9 for 94 yards and two TDs, the other going to Jett Schoenherr…Stratford has been dominating on defense through the season, giving up just 77 points in its 11 wins, including just seven in its three playoff games.
About Grantsburg: The Pirates rolled to a 61-20 win over Cameron in a Level 3 game last week at home…Grantsburg racked up 300 yards rushing and another 88 through the air. Running back Trenton Johnson led the way with 198 yards rushing on 16 carries and scored four touchdowns in the victory. The senior leads the Pirates with 989 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns, while also catching a team-high 32 passes for 509 yards and eight more scores…Gavin Rossow has added 835 yards on the ground and nine touchdowns, and is the team’s top tackler with 104, including 20 for loss, and has four forced fumbles and two interceptions…The Pirates have outscored their three previous playoff opponents 165-43.
Next up: The winner will play the winner of Kewaunee (12-0) and Darlington (11-1), who play at De Forest on Friday, in the Division 6 state championship game at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16.