The undefeated Luxemburg-Casco season came to an end Friday night in a WIAA Division 3 Level 3 playoff as the Menasha Bluejays defeated the Spartans 27-13.

 

# 2 seeded Menasha benefited from three L-C turnovers and converted a key onside kick in the fourth quarter to topple the #1 seeded Spartans in Luxemburg. 

 

The Bluejays opened the scoring in the first quarter on a 27-yard run by quarterback A.J. Korth to take a 7-0 lead.

 

Spartan quarterback Owen Deprez connected with Max Ronsom on an electric 57-yard pass play to pull the Spartans within one point at 7-6. as the extra point was missed.

 

The second quarter saw both teams exchange scores as Menasha running back Davontre Smith scored on a 57-yard scamper at the 11:06 mark and Spartan running back Isaac VandenBush scored on a six-yard run in the final minute of the half. 

 

After a scoreless third quarter, Menasha captured the momentum on a 6-yard pass from Korth to Mason Tanner with 8:43 left in the game.  The point-after-touchdown was missed, leaving the score at 20-13.

 

Then the key play of the game came on special teams as Menasha surprised the Spartans with an onside kick and recovered it at the L-C 46-yard line.  The Bluejays then scored on a 13-yard run by Korth to finish the scoring.  

 

The Spartans quickly drove down to the eight-yard line on some big runs by Vandenbush and a face-mask penalty, but a fumbled shotgun snap with 5:39 left sealed the victory for Menasha.

 

Luxemburg-Casco (11-1) finished the season with one of the best records in school history as they had to say goodbye to ten seniors playing their last high school football game.

 

Menasha (10-2) will now play Rice Lake in Level Four playoffs next Friday with the winner going to state.  

 

photos courtesy of Ron LeCloux