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Saint Mary's Springs digs out of a hole to pull away for the Division 6 championship

11/16/2017, 7:15pm CST
By Travis Wilson

Saint Mary's Springs celebrates its seventh WIAA state title

Saint Mary's Springs had not trailed once in the first 13 games of the year, but the Ledgers found themselves down 6-0 in the first quarter and 12-7 late in the second, before "Big Mo" swung hard their direction. Springs took advantage of a fumble and marched down to take a 14-12 halftime lead, then dominated after the break en route to a 35-12 victory.

The win gives Saint Mary's Springs a state record-tying seven WIAA championships to go with the eight that the Ledgers won in the WISAA days.

After the team's traded punts on their opening drives, Bryce Huettner opened the scoring for Iola-Scandinavia with a one-yard touchdown plunge, capping a 14-play, 72-yard drive.

Springs answered back quickly, as Mitch Waechter found Cade Christiansen on a leaping 39-yard catch less than two minutes later to put the Ledgers up 7-6.

Iola-Scandinavia put together another long scoring march, chewing up more than six minutes, as Huettner scored again, this time from seven yards out to put the T-Birds up 12-7.

A short time later, Iola-Scandinavia marched inside the Springs 25-yard line with a chance to go up by three scores, but Huettner fumbled, and the loose ball was recovered by Mitch Waechter of Saint Mary's Springs.

The Ledgers marched down the field and took one last shot into the end zone, with Christensen hauling in his second scoring pass of the day on a beautiful fade route with just two seconds remaining in the second half, as Springs seized the momentum.

That momentum carried into the second half, with Springs scoring on its opening possession, then tacking another touchdown following a 96-yard drive.

After some early offensive struggles, Saint Mary's Springs exploded in the second half to finish with 442 yards of offense -- 262 on the ground and 180 through the air.

Waechter completed eight of 12 passes for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns, while he also caught a 38-yard throwback pass from Christensen. Clay Schueffner led the way on the ground with 88 yards and a score.

For Iola-Scandinavia, Bryce Huettner finished with 33 carries for 213 yards and a pair of scores.

For the latest and most up to date football news and recruiting information, follow Travis on Twitter @travisWSN. Email story ideas, recruiting info, etc. to Travis at travis(at)wissports.net.

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