Last Second TD Plunge Ends Mustangs Season in Level 1 Matchup

By Chad Zutter - Sports Reporter

Onalaska, WI - Onalaska Hilltoppers quaterback Ian Kowal stepped up in the pocket, scrambled and plunged into the end zone with 11 seconds left to secure a 34-31 victory over the Menomonie Mustangs in the WIAA Division 3, level 1 matchup. It was the final lead change of the game, where both teams led by double digits at one point.

The Mustangs led 16-0 after the first twelve minutes behind the legs of DJ Butler and strong offensive line play. Butler finished with his best game of the season, scoring three touchdowns while rushing for 285 yards on 30 carries.

Onalaska countered with two touchdowns through the air in the second quarter, but failed to convert on their second two-point conversion. Mustangs led 16-14 at the break.

The Hilltoppers Brendan Chenault put on a show in the third quarter, returning the opening second half kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown. He then intercepted Mustangs quarterback Aaron Howard and returned it 94 yards to give the Hilltoppers their biggest lead of the game 27-16.

Menomonie regained momentum with a Butler touchdown run at the end of the third quarter to get the Mustangs within three.

On the Mustangs next possession Butler took a pitch, bursted through the first level, ran through an uncalled facemask penalty and scampered 64 yards to give the Mustangs a 30-27 lead. Kicker Everett Paulson cleared the crossbars on the extra point to put the Mustangs up by four points.

Onalaska had a chance to retake the lead late in the fourth quarter, but an incomplete pass near the goal line on a fourth down play game Menomonie the ball back with 3:38 remaining.

The Hilltoppers defense would give the offense another opportunity forcing a three and out and receiving a punt from Jake Rue near mid field with just under two minutes left in the game.

Kowal would lead his team down the field with his legs and his arm before scoring his first touchdown of the season rushing to win the game.

DJ Butler finished the season as a thousand yard rusher totaling 1,081 yards on 147 carries, an average of 7.4 per carry. Butler accomplished the feat despite missing the second half against River Falls and the Chippewa Falls game due to injury. Luke Pember, who the Mustangs used frequently in short yardage situations, carried 106 times compiling 513 yards and nine touchdowns.

Liam Asher finished as the leading receiver. He hauled in 12 passes for 187 yards and one touchdown.

The Hilltoppers will travel to Pewaukee for a WIAA Division 3, level 2 matchup on October 31st.

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th
Menomonie	16	0	8	7
Onalaska	0	14	13	7

1st Quarter

M - 1 yd run Pember (Erickson run), 10:26

M - 24 yd run Butler (Howard to Pember), 0:51

2nd Quarter

O - Burch 7 yd pass from Kowal (Kowal to Culpitt), 5:28

O - Egan 21 yd pass from Kowal (pass failed), 0:41

3rd Quarter

O - Chenault 84 yd kickoff return (pass failed), 11:44

O - 94 yard interception return Chenault (Zimmer kick), 5:30

M - 20 yd run Butler (Butler run), 0:15

4th Quarter

M - 64 yd run Butler (Paulson kick), 8:26

O - 6 yd run Kowal (Zimmer kick), 0:11

Individual Stats

RUSHING (att-yds) – Menomonie: Butler (30-285), Pember (15-36), Stoll (2-5), M. Erickson (3-6), Lugo (1-3), Howard (1-(-20)); Totals (52-315) Onalaska: Zinnecker (14-69), Stettler (6-34), Kowal (5-28), Kuhn (4-15), Andel (2-3); Totals (31-149)

PASSING (comp-att-td-int-yds) – Menomonie: Howard (2-5-0-1-21); Totals (2-5-0-1-21) Onalaska: Kowal (15-23-2-1-146); Totals (15-23-2-1-146)

RECEIVING (rec-yds) – Menomonie: Asher (2-5); Totals (2-21) Onalaska: Egan (5-66), Burch (5-30), Siebert (1-19), Chenault (1-13), Kuhn (2-12), Zinnecker (1-6); Totals (15-146)

TURNOVERS: Menomonie: INT - 1, FUM - 0 / Onalaska: INT - 1, FUM - 0

Game Notes:

• Menomonie leads all-time series vs Onalaska 12-2

• Menomonie won the first 12 matchups in this series

• It was the first time Onalaska beat Menonomonie in the playoffs. Prior to this game Menomonie was 3-0 vs Onalaska in the playoffs.

• Coach Sinz’s overall coaching record is now 57-61; Menomonie 30-23 (2021-current), Eau Claire Memorial 17-20 (2017-2020), Mondovi 10-18 (2014-2016) 

• Records: Menomonie 4-6 / Onalaska 8-2