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WSN15: Football Top Moments #1 - In Camp Randall snow globe, Kimberly's historic rally sinks Arrowhead

12/11/2017, 8:23am CST
By Travis Wilson

The WSN15 series will celebrate the 15th Anniversary of WisSports.net by looking back at the top players, teams, and moments of the past 15 years (2003-2017). 

We begin our WSN15 series with the Top 15 Moments of the WSN Era.

Top 15 Moments: #1 - In Camp Randall snow globe, Kimberly's historic rally sinks Arrowhead

It was truly a "Remember where you were when..." kind of game, as Kimberly rallied from a 42-21 third quarter deficit to defeat Arrowhead 49-42 in one of the best and most exciting championship games the state has ever seen, as the venerable Camp Randall Stadium was turned into a snow globe as the second half went along. 

Arrowhead, appearing in its fourth straight Division 1 title game, was certainly motivated after the previous season's 31-6 loss to Kimberly in the championship contest, going toe-to-toe in the first half. While Blair Mulholland did damage on the ground for Kimberly, Arrowhead's Johnny Duranso was lethal through the air. Each team scored a touchdown in the final minute of the first half, but the Warhawks took a 27-21 to the break.

As exciting as the first half was, it was just the opening act for the main attraction that was the second half.

Arrowhead got on the board right away, as Duranso connected with Justin Peret on a 58-yard touchdown pass. Just six minutes later, Arrowhead went up 42-21 on a 1-yard Duranso touchdown run, leaving many in attendance to wonder if Kimberly's 41-game winning streak would come to an end.

As more and more snow flurries turned the Camp Randall Stadium night into a snow globe, Kimberly proved it would not go away. Backed up to its own 4-yard line after a penalty on the kickoff, the Papermakers didn't panic, riding All-State running back Blair Mulholland on a 10-play, 96-yard scoring drive that made it 42-28 Arrowhead with 1:14 left in the third period.

Arrowhead answered with a nice drive into Kimberly territory, but John Mack's 34-yard field goal attempt to push the lead back to three scores was blocked. 

Yet another lengthy Kimberly drive resulted in a touchdown, as Danny Vanden Boom connected with Jordan Janssen on a 7-yard score to pull within 42-35 at the 5:40 mark of the fourth quarter.

The Papermakers surprised Arrowhead with a middle onside kick executed perfectly by Adam Stage, which the team recovered. Seven plays later, another Vanden Boom to Janssen 7-yard score tied the game. 

Looking to make a late rebound, Arrowhead took over with 2:38 left, but a three and out, aided by a dropped pass, handed the ball back to Kimberly at their own 23-yard line with 1:40 remaining.

Mulholland got things started with four straight runs that netted 33 yards. Vanden Boom hit Janssen for 26 yards and Mulholland took a screen to the 1-yard line. Mulholland capped things off with a 1-yard touchdown run to put the Papermakers up 49-42, and Arrowhead could do nothing after getting the ball back with 11 seconds remaining.

The game for the ages produced some outstanding performances, including Blair Mulholland, who set a new Division 1 state finals record with 341 rushing yards, breaking the previous mark set by Joe Schobert of Waukesha West in 2010. His 46 carries were also a new D1 record, while his 4 rushing scores tied the previous mark.

Janssen caught 10 passes, with a D1 record-tying 3 touchdowns and 125 receiving yards. Danny Vanden Boom's 255 yards bested the previous state record, but Arrowhead's Johnny Duranso finished with a higher number at 275 (on 11 of 16 passing). Justin Peret of Arrowhead had 173 receiving yards, setting a new state finals record for all divisions.

Among team records set for state finals: Most Points by a team (49, Kimberly, D1); Most Points, two teams (91, all divisions); Most Yards by a team (582, Kimberly, all divisions); Most Yards, two teams (954, all divisions).

It was Kimberly's third consecutive title, winning two straight in Division 1 after capturing the Division 2 championship in 2013. The Papermakers have gone on to win to more titles, as their overall winning streak now sits at 70 games. Kimberly rallied from a 14-0 halftime deficit to defeat Franklin 29-14 in the 2016 championship game, but it remains the 2015 contest that people in Wisconsin remember the best.

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.

Tag(s): News Archive  News  Travis Wilson  WSN15