EDGAR — The Edgar football team’s ambitious defense made a statement on Aug. 22 in their season opener, downing Ladysmith 44-6 behind an aggressive first-half surge.
Once again, the Wildcats’ defense was front and center, leading the way to success.
After completing one of their most dominant defensive seasons under long-tenured coach Jerry Sinz last year, en route to the Division 7 championship, the team picked up right where it left off.
Edgar defensive excellence again on display
This week, Sinz highlighted both lines as key functions of the team this season, and he felt pleased with his team’s defensive effort in their first outing despite a few miscues throughout the game.
The Wildcats defensive line dominated, creating an uphill battle for Ladysmith to get a consistent running game going, and the Wildcats’ secondary was present to disrupt any attempt at an aerial attack.
Ultimately, the Wildcats were one miscue away from opening their season with yet another shutout. Ladysmith’s points arrived via a miscommunication that resulted in Edgar quarterback Tucker Streit throwing a pick-six.
“I thought we did fine,” said Sinz about his team’s first defensive outing.
The Usual Suspects
Senior running back Maverick Butt, who has dominated the state playoffs over the past two seasons, also picked back up where he left off. On Edgar’s first play from scrimmage, he scrambled his way down the right sideline for a 62-yard rushing touchdown.
He notched his second rushing touchdown when he cashed in another 3-yard run. Senior Gavin Mauer made his impact on both sides of the ball as well, contributing to the offensive production and snatching away his first interception of the season.
For Butt, he feels it’s the duty of him and the other leaders to initiate the offense. But right now, he’s just having fun.
“It’s fun to run behind that offensive line, because they work so hard,” Butt said. “We had a couple guys come back after the scrimmage and I know I saw the light in those guys’ eyes. It’s just a blast running behind them, because they are some of the guys I hang out with the most.”
On to Stratford
Last year, Edgar’s only regular-season loss came at the hands of eventual Division 5 champion Stratford.
It’s a marquee matchup that always resides in the center of the Edgar’s community’s attention, and lives up to the hype of top tier football.
Next week, in their annual Week 2 matchup of Central Wisconsin titans, Sinz expects no different.
“Obviously we can’t have any offensive breakdowns like we had once or twice tonight,” Sinz said. “We’ll just have to play a clean game. And hopefully stay healthy. We have a good battle with them all the time. It’s been going on for 40 years. I don’t imagine it’s going to change any, it’ll be the same mini war that it’s always been.”
Other Week 1 Football Scores in Central Wisconsin
Thursday, Aug. 21:
Stevens Point 43, Chippewa Falls 15
Wausau West 42, Superior 21
Pacelli 14, Manawa 0
Tri-County 62, Elcho-White Lake 0
Athens 54, Prentice 6
Rice Lake 30, D.C Everest 25
Siren 44, Port Edwards 6
New Richmond 49, Marshfield 25
River Falls 45, Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln 0
Newman Catholic 33, Florence 0
Friday, Aug. 22:
Almond-Bancroft 43, Abundant Life 8
Waterloo 41, Adams-Friendship 0
Gilman 43, Owen-Withee 0
Marathon 33, Pittsville 0
Mosinee 26, Stratford 19
Tomahawk 42, Crandon 6
Loyal 24, Abbotsford 12
Poynette 29, Nekoosa 14
Markesan 38, Assumption 14
Wittenberg-Birnamwood 33, Bonduel 13
Wausau East 30, Westby 6
Osceola 35, Merrill 13
Holmen 55, Medford 16
Spencer, Auburndale
Colby 29, Stanley-Boyd 12
Neillsville 46, New Lisbon 12
Amherst 47, St. Mary 14
Rosholt 34, Marion/Tigerton 28
Edgar 44, Ladysmith 6
Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Reporter Alfred Smith III at alfred.smith@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @AlfredS_III.
This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: No championship hangover: Edgar football dominates Ladysmith to kick off three-peat campaign
Reporting by Alfred Smith III, Wausau Daily Herald / Wausau Daily Herald
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