Panthers’ season ends in heartbreak

Panthers players drop to the field moments after Wilmot missed a 37-yard field goal with 2 seconds remaining in a 21-20 loss at Burlington in the first round of the WIAA playoffs Oct. 24. Wilmot finished the year 6-4. (Photo by Mike Ramczyk)
Panthers players drop to the field moments after Wilmot missed a 37-yard field goal with 2 seconds remaining in a 21-20 loss at Burlington in the first round of the WIAA playoffs Oct. 24. Wilmot finished the year 6-4. (Photo by Mike Ramczyk)

By Mike Ramczyk

Sports Editor

The Wilmot football team had revenge on its mind Oct. 24.

The visiting Panthers were trying to erase the memory of a four-overtime loss to Burlington earlier this season. This time, it was win or go home in a Division 2 Level 1 playoff game.

Wilmot was on its way to victory at the Burlington 9-yard-line with less than a minute to play. But a rare penalty and an inspired Demon defense left Wilmot with a first-round exit for the second straight season.

The Demons scored 14 unanswered second-half points, including a 54-yard, Hail Mary-like touchdown pass, and Wilmot’s missed field goal as time expired cemented Burlington’s first playoff win since 2005, a 21-20 thriller.

It was the third time in only four weeks Burlington overcame a second-half deficit to win.

The Demons improved to 6-4 overall in their first home playoff game since 2006. They will travel to Greendale next Friday to battle the Greendale Panthers, the No. 1-ranked team in the state in Division 2. Greendale, the defending Division 2 state runner-up, is now 10-0 after a 56-6 beating of Bradley Tech Friday night.

Wilmot finished its season 6-4. The Panthers earned a share of their second straight conference title.

The script couldn’t have been written any better, as first-year Burlington coach Steve Tenhagen helped deliver a long-awaited playoff win at home for his alma-mater. After three stressful, last-second wins in four weeks, he joked with the players after the game.

“I asked them if they’re trying to put me under in my first year as head coach,” he said. “This is several times it came down to the last play of the game. It’s unbelievable. They just keep finding ways to win.”

“Wilmot played a heck of a football game. We just keep finding ways to make plays when the game is on the line. It’s been a fun ride.”

 

The Play

The Demons took their first lead of the game on a touchdown pass that could simply be described as “The Play” and will undoubtedly be referenced for years among Burlington football enthusiasts.

Down 20-14 with just over six minutes to play, the Demons faced a third and 14 from their own 46. Burlington quarterback Brad Burling took the shotgun snap and scrambled after the protection broke down. He darted toward the left sideline, but Wilmot defenders swarmed. After shaking a couple guys and running backwards, Burling spotted a streaking Ty Wiemer running a deep post far downfield.

Burling heaved it with everything he had roughly 40 yards. The high-arching pass landed in the arms of Wiemer, who skied over a Wilmot defender and came down with the ball. He out-ran two Panthers the final 10 yards for the score.

Time stood still as the ball floated down the field. Burling said he trusted the skills of Wiemer, who caught a similar pass for 40 yards earlier in the game.

Burling’s best Fran Tarkenton impression wasn’t necessarily a shot in the dark.

“We work the scramble drill in practice,” Tenhagen said. “The deeper receivers find ways to come back to the ball, and our shorter routes look to get over the top. We have some athletes out on the edge that can do some of those things. Ty made a great play.”

 

Another wild finish

Wilmot wasn’t finished, though, as it marched all the way to the Demons’ 9-yard line behind a big run from Ty Mulcahy.

On second and goal with less than a minute to play, Wilmot quarterback Bryce Kothe rolled right trying to find a receiver. Burlington’s pass rush forced Kothe to throw the ball out of bounds. Though he was outside of the tackles, the referees determined Kothe didn’t have an intended receiver and called intentional grounding. The 10-yard penalty and loss of down pinned Wilmot back at the Burlington 20.

After the Demons stuffed a third-down run, Wilmot kicker Adam Pacey, who was good earlier from 40 and 23 yards but missed wide left with 8:18 remaining, lined up for the do-or-die attempt with 2.3 seconds on the clock.

Burlington packed 6-foot-3 seniors Frankie Hozeska and James Tully in the middle for the block, but Pacey’s kick was low and wide to the left.

Burlington players and fans rushed the field as Panther players collapsed on the field in heartbreak.

Wilmot had a chance to go up by two touchdowns, but it settled for a field goal try with 8:18 remaining. The miss opened the door for the game-winning drive.

Wilmot out-gained Burlington, 440-340.


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