Big Second Half Propels Wildcats Past Mustangs

By Chad Zutter - Sports Reporter

River Falls, WI - The River Falls Wildcats scored 28 points in the second half to break a 14-14 halftime score en route to a 42-14 victory over the Menomonie Mustangs. Two interceptions for touchdowns in the last three and half minutes put the game out of reach.

River Falls gave the Mustangs opportunities in the first half, turning the ball over twice and putting the ball on the turf four times.

Menomonie led 14-7 after Luke Pember plunged into the end zone with just under two minutes remaining in the first half. However, a big kickoff return gave the Wildcats a short field and their high powered offense took advantage scoring a touchdown with 47 seconds remaining.

There was a short delay to the start of the second half as DJ Butler was carted off the sideline by ambulance with an injury. Later in the second half Andrew Hoff suffered an arm injury and captain Bailey Casey left with a hand injury.

Injuries just continue to pile up for the Mustangs this season. Head coach Mike Sinz commented about his teams injuries before this game,

"We are not in a good place. It's unlike any year I've ever seen."

He added about his teams resiliency,

"They are playing so hard, it's unbeleivable"

Menomonie trailed by one score late in the third quarter when the Mustangs tried a quick kick fake with Aaron Howard on their own 26 yard line. River Falls snuffed it out and took down Howard near the 20 yard line. The Wildcats capatilized just two plays later to take a two touchdown lead.

Menomonie hosts Chippewa Falls next Friday, October 17th at Williams stadium for senior night.

River Falls is 5-1 in the Big Rivers and 7-1 overall after the victory. They finish their regular season with the conference crossover game, hosting Wausau West

To get the most updated WIAA Division 3 playoff projections for the Mustangs, visit Andy Lavoy's playoff matrix website at https://andylavoy.com/football/.

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th
Menomonie	8	6	0	0
River Falls	7	7	14	14

1st Quarter

RF - Benedict 31 yd pass from Massa (Carufel kick), 9:21

M - 32 yd run Pember (Howard from Buter), 4:50

2nd Quarter

M - 1 yd run Pember (pass failed), 1:58

RF - 6 yd run Tarasewicz (Carufel kick), 0:47

3rd Quarter

RF - 3 yd run Tarasewicz (Carufel kick), 8:26

RF - 15 yd run Tarasewicz (Carufel kick), 4:14

4th Quarter

RF - 66 yd interception return Simmons (Carufel kick), 2:45

RF - 20 yd interception return French (Carufel kick), 2:33

Individual Stats

RUSHING (att-yds) – Menomonie: Stoll (14-99), Pember (15-78), Butler (6-42), Anderson (3-12), Howard (4-11), Mikesell (2-6), Goodman (2-6), Heim (1-3), Erickson (1-0); Totals (48-257) River Falls: Tarasewicz (23-119), Bartlett (6-25), Massa (2-(-3)) ; Totals (31-141)

PASSING (comp-att-td-int-yds) – Menomonie: Howard (5-10-0-2-36); Totals (5-10-0-2-36) River Falls: Massa (11-15-1-1-124); Totals (11-15-1-1-124)

RECEIVING (rec-yds) – Menomonie: Asher (2-21), Erickson (1-11), Mikesell (1-8), Butler (1-(-4)); Totals (5-36) River Falls: Benedict (2-34), Novak (3-32), DuMond (2-26), Stellrecht (2-20), Tarasewicz (1-20), O’Keefe (1-0); Totals (11-124)

3RD DOWN CONV: Menomonie: 4-12 / River Falls: 4-8

TURNOVERS: Menomonie: INT - 2, FUM - 0 / River Falls: INT - 1, FUM - 1

Game Notes:

• Menomonie leads all-time series 63-29-3

• Coach Sinz’s overall coaching record is now 57-59; Menomonie 30-21 (2021-current), Eau Claire Memorial 17-20 (2017-2020), Mondovi 10-18 (2014-2016) 

• Records: Menomonie 4-4 (2-4 BRC) / River Falls 7-1 (5-1 BRC)