WACO gets Newell-Fonda in state semifinals

CEDAR FALLS — It’s been 12 years since WACO football found itself in the state semifinals.

Here in 2022, the Warriors are back in.

In what’s been an authoritative season for No. 2 WACO (12-0) thus far, will have been put to the test on Wednesday in the UNI Dome against the No. 8 Newell-Fonda Mustangs (10-1).

The two teams will battle for a spot in the 8-player state finals.

WACO enters the semifinals off three dominant victories throughout the opening playoff rounds.

The Warriors never allowed more than 14 points in each of the three victories, defeating Martensdale-St. Mary’s 57-14, Central City, 48-12 and Montezuma, 52-7, last week.

WACO will be led by some familiar faces when they square off with Newell-Fonda.

Isaac Oswald has been as consistent as they’ve come undercenter this season. The senior has thrown for 1,350 yards and 22 touchdowns. He has also rushed for 182 on the ground for eight touchdowns.

In the ground game, Simeon Reichenbach is one of the top rushers in the class. The senior back has amassed 1,451 yards and 30 touchdowns. Reichenbach is averaging nearly 10 yards a carry, sitting at 9.6. He is also second in receiving with 17 catches for 293 yards.

Sophomore Louden Huisenga has been stellar as well. Huisenga has 414 yards and 11 touchdowns on 63 carries.

Leading WACO in receiving is Oleh Shtefanchuk. Shtefanchuk has 17 catches for 392 yards and nine touchdowns. Mason Miller leads in receptions with 19 for 249 yards and a pair of scores.

Ty Egli, Cody Grader and Huisenga all have over 100 yards receiving as well.

Defensively, Drew Diers has been a monster. The senior linebacker has accumulated 85 total tackles to lead the team. Colton Leichty follows with 73 total, along with 20 tackles for a loss, which is a team-high.

The Warriors are a defensive force when it comes to takeaways. WACO has 32 total takeaways on the season with eight fumble recoveries and mind-boggling 24 interceptions.

Mason Miller leads the state in total interceptions with nine. Shtefanchuk has four. Clayton Miller, Huisenga and Reichenbach all have three a piece.

For Newell-Fonda, the Mustangs come into the matchup off wins against Harris-Lake Park, 55-26, No. 3 Don Bosco, 35-10 and No. 6 Gladbrook-Reinbeck, 46-26.

The Mustangs are led by Mason Dicks at quarterback. Dick has 1,477 yards and 21 touchdowns. Dicks also leads in rushing with 797 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Ryan Greenfield is second in rushing with 631 yards and 15 touchdowns. Greenfield is also the Mustangs top receiver with 748 yards and nine scores on 49 catches. Zach Mercer follows with 272 yards and four touchdowns.

On the defensive end, Caden Meyer leads with 60.5 total tackles and Greenfield follows with 51.

The teams faced off Wednesday at 1 p.m. in Cedar Falls at the UNI Dome.

The winner of Wednesday semifinal will take on either No. 1 Remsen St. Mary’s or No. 4 Lenox.

The Championship will be played at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17.