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WSN15: Football Top Teams #8 - 2005 Stratford Tigers

12/14/2017, 3:15pm 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). 

For the Top 15 Teams countdown, more than one season of a program was considered for inclusion on the list, as long as the seasons featured different waves of players. For example, the 2008 and 2012 teams of the same school would be considered, but not necessarily the 2012 and 2013 teams.

The Top 15 Teams countdown is not a "Who would beat who?" list, as that would be heavily weighted towards big schools. Factors in determining the Top 15 Teams included: how dominant the team was compared to contemporaries, how impressive the team was in big games, quality of competition faced, number of high-level players, and more.

Top 15 Teams: #8 - 2005 Stratford Tigers

Six state championships in a row. A string of 76 straight victories over Wisconsin teams. A stretch of dominance the state had never seen before.

It is tough to pick one team amongst the Stratford reign that stands out above the rest, but we'll go with the 2005 Tigers, and for good reason. 

The team went a perfect 14-0, as the 25-7 win over Saint Mary's Springs in the state championship game was the closest margin of victory all season. The team allowed double-figures just twice: in a 41-20 win over Pittsville and an 82-14 victory against Assumption. The Tigers posted seven shutouts, while scoring less than 31 points just once, the championship against Springs.

For the season, they outscored opponents by an average of 47-5.

The title would be Stratford's third in a row, but the team would go on to win three more afterwards, becoming the first, and thus far, only team to capture six straight championships.

The Tigers defeat rival Edgar twice during the year, a 40-0 shutout in the regular season and a 42-8 decision in Level 2 of the playoffs. They defeated Pulaski, a Division 2 team, 31-0. Stratford would knock off Regis in the state semi-finals for a second consecutive season, shutting out the Ramblers 42-0.

Saint Mary's Springs was a surprise participant in the state finals, going just 4-5 during the year but upset after upset in the playoffs to advance to the championship game. Stratford scored the first 19 points of the game to secure a 25-7 victory, though the final was not indicative of how dominant the Tigers were. Stratford accumulated 518 total yards of offense, including 457 on the ground. However, they missed a field goal, had a fumble and interception, and turned it over on downs inside the Springs 10-yard line on two separate occasions. All nine of Stratford's drives advanced inside the red zone except one, which ended at the Springs 28.

Matt Olson racked up 293 yards and four touchdowns on 25 carries, continuing his strong play from the regular season. He would be named an Honorable Mention All-State choice by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association.

Also from that squad, Andrew Hoffman earned WFCA All-State recognition at linebacker, while Billy Niggemann was an All-State selection as both a receiver and defensive back. Outside linebacker Matt Kramer earned Honorable Mention All-State recognition as well.

Stratford's win over Springs was their 42nd in a row, and they's stretch it to 47 before falling to LaCrescent (MN) the following year. At the time the 47 straight games was second in state history, though both Waunakee and Kimberly have since surpassed it.

It was part of an incredible run by Stratford, and the 2005 team was as dominant as any.

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