WACO playing for state title

WAYLAND — No. 2 WACO football’s season will come to an end on Thursday and it just so happens to be in the biggest 8-player game of the season.

After blistering their opponents through the regular season and grinding out a victory over Newell-Fonda in last week’s 8-player semifinal, just one team stands in the way of WACO’s (13-0) quest to hoist the 8-man state title.

That team is none other than No. 1 ranked Remsen. St. Mary’s (12-0).

Both teams have stood at the top of the 8-player rankings all season long and a true number one will be decided on Thursday morning.

What a journey it’s been for the Warriors of WACO.

WACO has been as dominant as they’ve come throughout the season.

The Warriors have been efficient on both sides of the ball this season, scoring over 40 points in every game and allowing at most 26 points.

Their closest game of the season came last week in the semifinal matchup against Newell-Fonda, in which the Warriors were winners 29-21.

Senior quarterback Isaac Oswald has been as stellar as they’ve come under center this season. Oswald has thrown for 1,547 yards and 23 touchdowns. He has also rushed for 201 on the ground for eight touchdowns.

In last weeks semifinal game, Oswald had a great outing throwing for 197 yards and one touchdown.

In the backfield, Simeon Reichenbach has been one of the top rushers throughout the state. The senior back has amassed 1,541 yards and 32 touchdowns. Reichenbach is averaging 9.2 yards per carry. He is also second in receiving with 20 catches for 342 yards.

Last week, Reichenbach was a monster with the ball in his hands, rushing for 90 yards and two scores, while also adding 49 yards through the air.

He also hit two field goals as well.

Sophomore Louden Huisenga has been fantastic on the ground as well in his early career. Huisenga has 430 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.

Leading WACO in receiving is Oleh Shtefanchuk. Shtefanchuk has 18 catches for 403 yards and nine touchdowns. Mason Miller leads in receptions with 23 for 306 yards and a three scores.

Miller and Oswald connected on a big 28-yard touchdown pass against Newell-Fonda to get the Warriors offense going.

Miller had 57-yards to lead the Warriors in last week win.

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

At linebacker, Drew Diers has been a force. The senior linebacker has accumulated 95.5 total tackles to lead the team. Colton Leichty follows with 85.5 total, along with 25.5 tackles for a loss, which leads the Warrior defense.

The Warriors are scary when it comes to takeaways. WACO has 33 total takeaways on the season with eight fumble recoveries and mind-boggling 25 interceptions.

Mason Miller leads the state in total interceptions with nine. Shtefanchuk has five, including a spectacular one against the Mustangs last week. Clayton Miller, Huisenga and Reichenbach all have three as well.

Much like the Warriors, Remsen St. Mary’s has been nearly unstoppable as well.

The Hawks have scored over 40 in every single game and have went over 60 eight times.

Defensively, the most they’ve allowed all season came in their semifinal game against Lenox, of which they were victorious 42-20.

Leading the Hawks in the state final will be Cael Ortmann at quarterback. Ortmann has had a great season, completing nearly 80 percent of his passes (79.5%) for 1, 746 yards and 32 touchdowns.

On the ground, Brenden Fisch leads with 791 yards and 16 touchdowns. Ortmann follows closes with 783 yards and 16 scores as well.

Ryan Millman is the Hawks leading receiver, tallying 32 receptions for 808 yards and 17 touchdowns. Alex Schroeder follows with 32 catches, 446 yards and seven touchdowns.

On defense, Jaxon Bunkers is the leading tackler with 58.5 total tackles and 10 for a loss.

A state champion will be crowned on Thursday. The battle is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday in the UNI-Dome.