Manawa scores twice in fourth quarter
By Greg Seubert
Wins have been few and far between this season for the Manawa and Weyauwega-Fremont football teams.
The Wolves and Indians came into their Central Wisconsin Large Conference matchup Sept. 29 with a combined 1-11 record, but the teams gave their fans a game that wasn’t decided until the final minute.
A pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns led to Manawa’s 28-21 Homecoming win over the Indians. Manawa improved to 2-5 overall and 1-5 in conference play, while W-F fell to 0-7.
The Indians had the early momentum by scoring on their first possessions. Brandon Scheer capped the game’s opening drive with a 30-yard run and added a 68-yard run that gave the visitors a 14-0 lead with 4:26 to go in the first quarter.
Manawa cut the Indians’ lead in half on its next drive, as Mason Wiesner hooked up with Jackson Jaeger for a 62-yard touchdown pass.
W-F’s 14-7 lead stood until the Wolves tied the game 1:20 into the third quarter on Garrett Bristol’s 5-yard run.
The Indians regained the lead with 3:26 to go in the quarter on Scheer’s third touchdown from 14 yards out. W-F’s defense set the touchdown up by recovering Riley Krenke’s fumble at the Manawa 26-yard line.
Gavin Curtis’ extra point after Scheer’s touchdown turned out to be the Indians’ final point of the game.
Manawa tied the game for a second time on Krenke’s 5-yard run with 9:17 remaining in the game and took its first lead with 4:35 on the clock on Bristol’s 9-yard run.
The Indians forced the Wolves to punt with less than a minute to go and started their final drive on their own 10-yard line with 45 seconds to go, but the game ended after Manawa sacked Curtis.
The Indians outgained the Wolves 189-131 on the ground, but Manawa had a 181-39 advantage through the air.
Scheer finished with 25 carries for 185 yards, while Bristol led Manawa with 120 yards on 24 carries.
Both teams have CWC-Large games scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6. Manawa will travel to Wittenberg-Birnamwood, while the Indians will head to Shiocton.