The Luxemburg-Casco Spartans are heading to the state championship in Madison after Trace Schoenebeck kicked a 24-yard field goal in the final seconds to upend the Waukesha Catholic Memorial Crusaders 23-21in a Division 4 State Semi-Final football matchup in Kewaskum on U102.1 FM.
The L-C defense came up big all night long as the Spartans were able to overcome four turnovers in the game.
The Spartans scored first on a 10-yard run by quarterback Max Ronsman with 23 seconds left in the first quarter. Schoenebeck would hit the upright on the extra point and the score stayed at 6-0.
The Crusaders would respond quickly with a 42-yard touchdown strike from MJ Mitchell to Corey Smith to give Catholic Memorial a 7-6 after the successful PAT.
Luxemburg-Casco would recapture the lead with 7:15 left in the half on an 11-yard touchdown run by Andrew Klass making it 13-7.
With the Spartans pinned back on their own two-yard line after a punt, Ronsman would provide the longest run of the season, going the distance with an electrifying dash down the sidelines for 98 yards.
Catholic Memorial would threaten late in the second quarter, but Chris VanderWielen intercepted a pass at the ten-yard line when Mitchell was pressured by Braeden Schley, keeping the score at 20-7 at halftime.
The second half would see the Crusaders score on the opening drive on a 26-yard pass play with 7:58 left in the third quarter to cut the Spartan lead to 20-14.
After an interception deep in Spartan territory with 6:04 left in the game, Mitchell scored on a quarterback sneak to give the Crusaders a 21-20 lead after the extra point.
A Spartan drive then was stalled with just 2:15 left in the game, leaving it up to the defense who came up with a huge three-and-out to get the ball back to the offense for one last chance.
Taking over after a punt at their own 17-yard line, the Spartans came up with big plays, including a 30-yard completion to Schley, to work themselves into field goal range.
The Spartans lined up for a 29-yard field goal and the Crusaders jumped offside to set up Schoenebeck's clutch 24-yard game-winner with 2.8 seconds left that he drilled through the uprights.
After offsetting penalties when the game seemed to be over, the final play had Mitchell throw a desperation pass that was intercepted by Trevor Beaupre sending the Spartan faithful into a frenzy and Luxemburg-Casco to Madison for the first-ever appearance at the WIAA State Championships in Division 4.
The Spartans (12-1) will now play Lodi in the championship game at Camp Randall Stadium on Thursday night at 7 p.m.
The pregame is set for 6:45 pm on U102.1 and the kick-off is set for 7 p.m. The game will also be streamed on NewRadioSports Network.com.
Photos courtesy of Ron LeCloux
