Quick Read
- Mosinee defeated Evansville 19-7 in the WIAA Division 4 Level 2 playoffs by forcing three turnovers.
- Evansville’s promising drives ended with costly mistakes, including two interceptions and a fumble.
- Little Chute advanced with a dominant 49-20 win over West Salem, powered by explosive offensive plays.
- Mosinee will face No. 1-seeded Columbus, who won 56-21 over Delavan-Darien, in the quarterfinals.
- Turnover margin and defensive execution proved decisive in Friday’s Division 4 playoff matchups.
Mosinee’s Turnovers and Toughness Halt Evansville in Division 4 Playoff Clash
On a brisk Friday night in Mosinee, the tension was palpable long before the opening whistle. Two evenly matched teams, each with a 9-1 record, faced off with a single goal: keep their championship dreams alive. The Mosinee Indians, known for their gritty defense, met Evansville’s Blue Devils, a squad whose big-play potential had carried them through the regular season. In the end, it was Mosinee’s discipline and opportunism that defined the game, as they forced three crucial turnovers en route to a 19-7 victory (GazetteXtra).
Evansville struck first, orchestrating an impressive 83-yard drive powered mostly by their ground game. Quarterback Matthew Wickersham capped it off with a precise 15-yard pass to Race Howlett, and Cordell Harris nailed the extra point. With just over 11 minutes left in the second quarter, the Blue Devils led 7-0, and their sideline buzzed with anticipation.
But Mosinee’s response was methodical and determined. Senior quarterback Treve Stoffel, the heart of the Indians’ offense, powered in from two yards out to tie the score. Then, after a failed extra point, Stoffel connected with Omar Ingram for a 29-yard touchdown pass, giving Mosinee a lead they would not relinquish. Stoffel’s blend of running and passing kept Evansville’s defense guessing, even as they managed to limit him to 80 yards on 20 carries.
The real turning point, however, came not with spectacular offensive fireworks, but with a series of defensive stands and forced errors. Evansville’s first turnover—a costly interception—ended a promising drive late in the second quarter, just after a momentum-shifting fake punt pass from Harris to Landon Litsheim. The Blue Devils had stolen the momentum, but Mosinee snatched it right back.
“We stole momentum with the fake punt,” Evansville coach Garth Coats reflected after the game, “but they stole it right back with the turnover.”
The second turnover—a fumble deep in Mosinee territory—proved even more decisive. Mosinee recovered and needed just two plays to travel 71 yards, with Stoffel hitting Alex Steppke for 35 yards, then Ingram for a 36-yard score. In a game where both teams had only seven possessions, each mistake was magnified. Evansville’s final desperate drive ended with an interception, closing the door on their season.
Statistically, the game was a showcase of defensive resilience. Mosinee outgained Evansville 266-225, but neither side was able to break free offensively. Key defensive performances included Cordell Harris’s six solo tackles and two assists, and Harker Larsen’s two sacks. For Mosinee, Stoffel’s efficient passing—8 of 10 for 131 yards—and the team’s ability to capitalize on turnovers proved the difference.
Little Chute’s ‘Wow Plays’ Ignite Rout of West Salem
While Mosinee’s win was defined by defensive execution, Little Chute’s matchup against West Salem was a showcase of offensive flair. In a game that felt like a highlight reel come to life, Little Chute’s Mustangs dominated the Panthers from start to finish, rolling to a 49-20 victory and booking their spot in the Division 4 quarterfinals (Post Crescent).
From the opening snap, Little Chute’s attack was relentless, mixing quick passes, creative play-calling, and explosive runs that left West Salem scrambling for answers. The Mustangs’ ability to string together ‘wow plays’—including breakaway touchdowns and pinpoint throws—made the game a spectacle for fans and a nightmare for the Panthers’ defense.
The Mustangs’ performance didn’t just advance them; it sent a clear message to the rest of Division 4. Their confidence and chemistry were evident, with the offense firing on all cylinders and the defense capitalizing on opportunities to shut down West Salem’s attempts at a comeback.
Quarterfinals Preview: Mosinee Faces Top-Seeded Columbus
The next round of the WIAA Division 4 playoffs promises even greater drama. Mosinee now travels to face No. 1-seeded Columbus, who demolished Delavan-Darien 56-21 in their own Level 2 matchup (SI.com). Both teams enter the quarterfinals with 9-2 records, but Columbus’s offensive firepower and home-field advantage will test Mosinee’s disciplined approach.
Elsewhere, Little Chute advances as one of the most dynamic teams remaining, ready to build on their momentum. The Mustangs’ blend of athleticism and bold play-calling could be the formula needed to challenge the traditional powerhouses and keep their championship hopes alive.
Playoff Scoreboard: Division 4 Takes Center Stage
Friday night’s slate across Wisconsin saw several notable outcomes in Division 4. Mosinee’s 19-7 win over Evansville was just one of many compelling contests. Other results included:
- Columbus 56, Delavan-Darien 21
- Little Chute 49, West Salem 20
- Amherst 40, Brillion 13
- Baldwin-Woodville 61, Platteville 27
- Stratford 28, Prairie du Chien 21
As the playoff field narrows, every possession, every mistake, and every flash of brilliance takes on outsized importance. The teams left standing are those who marry discipline with daring, and resilience with inspiration.
Inside the Numbers: What Decides Playoff Football?
What separates winners from the rest in high school football’s biggest moments? Friday’s games offered a clear answer: defensive execution and turnover margin. Mosinee’s ability to force three turnovers and convert them into points, while limiting their own mistakes, was the linchpin of their victory. Meanwhile, Little Chute’s capacity to generate explosive plays and sustain offensive pressure showed that sometimes, the best defense is a relentless offense.
Individual efforts—like Stoffel’s dual-threat quarterbacking, Ingram’s clutch receptions, and Harris’s defensive leadership—underscore the importance of senior leadership and poise under pressure. For teams like Evansville, whose season ended not with a collapse but with a handful of costly mistakes, the lessons are clear: every play matters, and preparation can only take you so far when the stakes are highest.
These playoff battles remind us that the margin between heartbreak and triumph is often razor-thin. Mosinee’s victory was not the result of overwhelming talent, but of seizing opportunity and refusing to blink when the pressure mounted. As the quarterfinals loom, the teams that adapt, execute, and believe in their moment will shape the destiny of the WIAA football season.