HAMMOND, WI – The #4 seeded Baldwin-Woodville Blackhawks conquered the #1 seeded St. Croix Central Panthers (SCC) in a commanding fashion, 46-29, for level two of the 2023 Division 4 WIAA Football Tournament. Passionate and resilient play by the Blackhawks led to Baldwin-Woodville’s victory in a action packed rematch of two Middle Border Conference teams; avenging the Blackhawks week-eight loss, 54-21, to the Panthers.
SCC opened the game struggling to move the ball. The Panthers punted and Baldwin-Woodville began at their own 37-yardline. The Blackhawks hit the ground running with a solid quarterback keeper run by Cal Smith and a long pass reception by Collin Fritts. The Blackhawks struck first to take the lead 7-0, with a rushing touchdown by Colton Hush and a successful point-after by Gus Kroening. Baldwin-Woodville scored immediately after on SCC’s next offensive possession with a defensive 28-yard fumble return ‘scoop-and-score’ touchdown by Ryan Veenendall, 14-0. SCC punted on their following drive continuing to be challenged by the Blackhawk defense. Smith and the rest of the Baldwin-Woodville offense shined through the air moving 67-yards downfield in only a few plays and adding to the lead with a Hush receiving touchdown, 21-0. SCC responded with a 72-yard rushing touchdown and another short-yardage touchdown to end the first quarter, 21-14.
SCC kicked off to Baldwin-Woodville, however a Blackhawk fumble gave the Panthers possession. The Panthers offense moved towards the endzone but hindered by penalties and Baldwin-Woodville’s defense turned the ball over to the Blackhawks. This gave Baldwin-Woodville possession from their own 1-yardline. A ‘holding in the endzone’ penalty against the Blackhawks awarded SCC a safety, 21-16. SCC methodically advanced across the field on their next drive to take the lead, 22-21. SCC’s two-point conversion was no good. The Blackhawks answered, reclaiming the lead with a 69-yard touchdown pass from Smith to Monicken at the end of the first half, 27-22. The Blackhawks two-point conversion was also unsuccessful.
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