Warriors Erase Mustangs Lead with 35 Unanswered Points

By Chad Zutter - Sports Reporter

Rice Lake, WI - The #3 Rice Lake Warriors erased an 18 point lead and scored 35 unanswered points in a 41-24 victory over the Menomonie Mustangs. Junior DJ Butler's 15 yard touchdown run mid way through the second quarter gave Menomonie a 24-6 lead.

The Warriors were able to get a score before halftime as senior quarterback Grant Pacholke found classmate Will Svendson for a 53 yard touchdown strike.

“I love the way we started the game off. It was extremely tough to keep up that level of play for four full quarters. I think their size started to wear on us a little bit."

Coach Sinz

An onside kick by Menomonie to open the second half was recovered by Rice Lake near midfield. The Warriors took advantage of the short field and scored on a counter play from 17 yards out by senior Aaron Hoffman.

On the ensuing drive, the Warriors snubbed the Mustangs fake punt near midfield and gave themselves another short field. Rice Lake would not miss the opporunity and took the lead on a Pacholke touchdown run.

Trailing by six at the start of the fourth quarter, Menomonie had a fourth and goal from the six yard line. Junior quarterback Aaron Howard pass was intercepted and returned near midfield. The Mustangs wouldn't get another chance to get in the endzone.

The loss moves Menomonie to 2-2 overall and 0-2 in conference. Rice Lake stays undefeated at 4-0 overall and 2-0 in conference.

Menomonie travels to Superior this week. The Spartans are 0-4 overall and 0-2 in Big Rivers play.

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th
Menomonie	8	16	0	0
Rice Lake	6	8	16	11

1st Quarter

M - 5 yd run Butler (Butler run), 7:58

RL - 16 yd run Larson (run failed), 3:48

2nd Quarter

M - 1 yd run Pember (Butler run), 7:15

M - 15 yd run Butler (Butler run), 5:50

RL - Svendson 53 yd pass from Pacholke (Larson run), 2:30

3rd Quarter

RL - 17 yard run Hoffman (Pacholke run), 7:48

RL - 11 yd run Pacholke (Larson run), 3:00

4th Quarter

RL - Hoffman 39 pass from Pacholke (Pacholke run), 8:06

M - Larson 32 yd FG, 5:34

Individual Stats

RUSHING (att-yds) – Menomonie: Butler (21-160), Pember (15-71), Mikesell (6-43), Howard (1-2), Asher (2-(-2)), Casey (1-(-2)); Totals (46-272) Rice Lake: Larson (20-102), Hoffman (8-76), Pacholke (15-63), Hutzler (3-3), Weber (2-3), Bahls (1-0); Totals (49-245)

PASSING (comp-att-td-int-yds) – Menomonie: Howard (5-12-0-2-41); Totals (5-12-0-2-41)(7-9-1-0-68) Rice Lake: Pacholke (3-4-2-0-102); Totals (3-4-2-0-102)

RECEIVING (rec-yds) – Menomonie: Asher (2-31), Bystol (1-5), Pember (1-4), Butler (1-1); Totals (5-41) Rice Lake: Svendson (2-63), Hoffman (1-39); Totals (3-102)

Game Notes:

• Menomonie leads all-time series 49-14-1

• Menomonie is now 5-5 in last 10 games of series.

• Coach Sinz’s overall coaching record is now 55-57; Menomonie 28-19 (2021-current), Eau Claire Memorial 17-20 (2017-2020), Mondovi 10-18 (2014-2016) 

• Records: Menomonie 2-2 (0-2 BRC) / Rice Lake 4-0 (2-0 BRC)