Waupaca earns winning record in conference, headed to playoffs

The Waupaca Comets took down the Xavier Hawks in a game that the winner would finish with a winning record in the Bay conference on their way to the WIAA playoffs.

The Comets came into the contest, winning three of their last four games, including their previous two, to give them momentum. The Comets were set on going into the playoffs (after missing them in 2023) with a 4-5 regular season record and a 4-3 Bay conference mark.

An aggressive game plan by the Comets put the Hawks back on their heels early and gave them the lead as running back Xzaver Pittman caught a six-yard touchdown reception to put his team up 7-0 early.

On the Comets’ next possession, they gambled as they went for a fourth-down attempt on their own 20-yard line. They converted on a pass up the right sideline but fumbled on the next play to give the Hawks possession.

The Hawks scored a field goal after the turnover to cut the Comets lead to 7-3 as Eric Hills converted a 32-yard field goal attempt.

Quarterback Austin Adamczak, who rushed for 151 yards, scored on a one-yard quarterback keeper to give the Comets a 14-3 lead.

At the end of the third quarter, a fumble recovery by Comets linebacker Owen Hansen led to a 21-3 lead for his team.

In the third quarter, the Comets went up 27-3 after a 43-yard touchdown run by Pittman, who carried the ball 19 times for 141 yards.

A touchdown reception for the Hawks in the fourth quarter by Cole Hietpas cut the Comets lead to 27-9.

A 28-yard touchdown run by Adamczak made it 34-9 for the Comets, as the Hawks had one last touchdown to make the score more respectable at 34-15.
The Comets will go on the road to face La Crosse Logan at 7 p.m. on Oct. 25