By james art MIDDLETON — Friday night marked the first meeting between fifth-seeded Chippewa Falls and fourth-seeded Middleton in program history when they squared off in a WIAA Division 1 first-round playoff game.
The Cardinals defense came up strong throughout to secure a 19-14 victory in front of the home crowd with two decisive plays in the fourth quarter.
Middleton’s defense forced Chippewa Falls running back Jackson Boland into a fumble with 6 minutes, 8 seconds left in the game.
That crucial turnover came moments after the Cardinals fumbled in the red zone on a potential go-ahead punt.
Regaining possession after Boland’s fumble, Middleton took its first lead of the game with 4:34 remaining when quarterback Joey Passaglia connected with wide receiver Troy Teff for the decisive 6-yard touchdown pass.
Wisconsin commit Torrin Pettaway sealed the game with a sack of quarterback Noah Potter on third down on Chippewa Falls’ final possession.
Chippewa Falls and its wing-option offense struck immediately in the first quarter, with Bohland taking the game’s first offensive play 78 yards for a touchdown.
The senior took a snap on the outside and raced past Middleton’s defense down the right sideline to score.
Bohland’s outstanding performance continued on the opening play of the second quarter when Chippewa Falls threw its first pass.
Potter found Boland on a corner route for 33 yards, advancing Chippewa Falls into Middleton territory.
The Chippewa Falls defense celebrates after recovering a fumble on Middleton running back Elijah Jackson Friday night in Middleton.
OWEN ZILYAK, STATE JOURNALIST
The tandem connected again for a 37-yard touchdown pass a few plays later, giving Chippewa Falls an early 14-0 lead.
Boland won a jumper downfield against a Middleton defender after Chippewa Falls spread it out and went into a shotgun formation.
Chippewa Falls was on the brink of a blowout after Passaglia’s interception with 7:52 left in the second quarter.
However, Middleton’s defense stood up and forced a punt. Pasaglia and the offense finally broke through on the ensuing possession.
The senior connected with wide receiver Chase Rogers for a 72-yard touchdown pass, again making it a one-possession game.
Rodgers beat a defender on a post route after Chippewa Falls elected to play man-to-man coverage with no safety help.
Middleton had two sacks and the aforementioned interception on his first three offensive possessions.
Senior defensive back Harrison Armstrong hauled in an interception on Chippewa Falls’ ensuing possession and returned it to the opposing 35-yard line.
Unsportsmanlike conduct and a personal foul penalty by Chippewa Falls on consecutive plays quickly moved Middleton into the red zone.
Passaglia completed the drive by finding senior tight end Drew Cooney for a 7-yard touchdown pass. Middleton trailed 14-13 at halftime after missing the extra point.
Both teams went scoreless in the third quarter. Middleton drove into Chippewa Falls territory on two separate occasions, but fumbled and turned it over on downs on those possessions.
In the end, Middleton got the most timely turnover that led to his victory on Friday night.
Middleton advances to play top-seeded Waunakee, which defeated No. 8 Wausau West 28-14. Middleton enters this game as a four-game winning streak.