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Somerset grinds out win over Little Chute to capture second D4 title in last three years

11/21/2014, 2:00pm CST
By Travis Wilson

Run, run, and run again was the approach Somerset took in the Division 4 state title game against Little Chute, and behind a state-record 46 carries from senior Max Praschak, the Spartans captured a 28-16 win and second gold ball in the last three years.

Unlike their last two trips to Madison, the Spartans didn't need to go into overtime in this one, thanks in large part to a rushing attack that accounted for 379 yards on 71 carries. Much of that damage was done by Praschak, who set an all-division state finals record with 46 carries, accounting for 218 yards on the ground and a pair of scores.

Over and over he took quick traps or fullback gives up the middle, received contact and went forward for 4-5 more yards. When he didn't get it, quarterback Reed Baillargeon pulled it back and went off guard for 109 yards on 20 carries.

As a result, Somerset dominated the time of possession, holding the ball for 33:49 compared to just 14:11 for Little Chute. That included a 17 play, 87 yard drive that took up the final 8:10 of the game, leading to Somerset taking a knee on the final play from the Little Chute 1 yard line.

Little Chute's Sam Merryfield lost his top weapon when Scott Hietpas left the game with injury early on, but completed 21 of 31 passes for 279 yards and 2 touchdowns, but threw interceptions on his first and last pass attempts.

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