The Luxemburg-Casco Spartans upset the #1 ranked Two Rivers Raiders 24-21 in a WIAA Division 4 Level 3 playoff Friday night at Jerry Bonino Field in Two Rivers.

 

The game started out slowly as both defenses kept the opposing offenses in check throughout the first quarter.  The #2 seeded Spartans then scored on a 94-yard drive that used up over six minutes of the clock on a six-yard run by quarterback Max Ronsman to make it 7-0 with 7:40 left in the second quarter.

 

Two Rivers responded after an interception to tie the game on a 1-yard run by quarterback Jason Klinkner with 2:20 left in the half.  Luxemburg-Casco would make a drive late in the half but an interception near the end zone kept the score 7-7 into halftime.

 

The wild second half started off with Luxemburg-Casco trying an on-side kick that was successful but called back because of an offside penalty.

The Spartans eventually blocked a punt on the Raiders’ first drive of the half and converted on a 20-yard field goal by Trace Schoenebeck to reclaim the lead at 10-7.   

Striking quickly after a fumble recovery, the Spartans connected on a 57-yard pass from Ronsman to Chris VanderWielen to shock the Raider faithful and put L-C ahead 17-7 with 6:02 left in the third quarter.

 

Momentum would change back to Two Rivers late in the third quarter as Schoenebeck had his 26-yard field goal attempt blocked.  The Raiders would drive down and score on a ten-yard run by Chase Matthias to cut the Spartan lead to 17-14 with 10:46 left in the game.  The Raiders would then take the lead with 6:24 left on a 41-yard scamper by Matthias to make it 21-17 Two Rivers.

 

The Spartan responded with a 65-yard drive in just over two minutes, capped off with a sensational 25-yard touchdown reception by Schoenebeck, who made an incredible catch in the end zone over a defender.  That made the score 24-21 and set up the dramatic ending with just 4:06 left in the fourth quarter.

 

The Spartan defense preserved the win with back-to-back sacks of Klinkner by Braeden Schley and Brayden Mueller.  Ronsman then sealed the game by converting on a fourth-and-four with just over a minute to go in Raider territory.

 

 

 

Luxemburg-Casco (11-1) will now play Catholic Memorial next Friday night in the State Semi-final at a neutral site to be determined.

 

The pregame is set for 6:45 p.m. on 96.7 WBDK and the kick-off is set for 7 p.m.  Paul Schmitt and Eric Fischer will have the play-by-play of the game which will also be streamed on New Radio Sports Network.

 

(photo courtesy of Ron LeCloux)