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Black Hawk/Warren (IL) sends Cory Milz out with another championship

11/21/2019, 1:45pm CST
By Travis Wilson

Black Hawk celebrates a second straight Division 7 state title

In a game eerily similar to last year's title tilt, Black Hawk/Warren (IL) held off Edgar 6-0 for the WIAA Division 7 state championship.

After the game, it was confirmed by his son, a player for the Warriors, that it served as the final game for head coach Cory Milz. This is the third state championship for the Black Hawk program, and the first as part of the co-op with Warren (IL).

Like last season, it was not a particularly clean game, as the teams combined for five turnovers, eight penalties, and several costly mistakes.

Also like last year, Black Hawk/Warren (IL) led in total yardage convincingly, out-gaining Edgar 220-141. 

The only score of the game came late in the second quarter, when Jaylen Rufenacht had a big 53-yard run set up a 30-yard pass from Ethan Williams to Cayden Milz. On the throwback screen play, an Edgar defender nearly intercepted the pass, with a clear path the other way, but it went just over his extended fingertips for a completion and touchdown.

The teams traded blows and turnovers throughout the rest of the game, with the action picking up considerably in the fourth quarter.

After pinning Black Hawk/Warren (IL) inside the five-yard line with a punt, Edgar forced a three-and-out and took over on the Warriors' 30-yard line after a short punt.

Facing a fourth and two, Kaleb Hafferman appeared to reach the line to gain for a first down, but instant replay overturned the call and ruled him short. It was the second use of replay in the contest, which also gave Edgar a fumble recovery earlier in the game. The 2019 season marks the first use of instant replay in WIAA football history.

Edgar would intercept Warriors' quarterback Ethan Williams on the ensuing drive, and Konnor Wolf hit Drew Guden for what appeared to be a touchdown. However, a hold was called in the backfield, negating the score and putting Edgar in a first-and-25 situation they could not convert. 

Despite throwing the football on third down instead of running the clock down further prior to punting, Black HawkWarren (IL) would hold on for the win when Edgar threw an interception with 54 seconds remaining, allowing the Warriors to kneel out the final.

The gold ball trophy for Black Hawk/Warren (IL) will join previous state championship trophies at Black Hawk in 2013 and 2018, to go with a runner-up trophy from 2017.

About the Author

Travis Wilson serves as the WisSports.net General Manager, Football Editor, and contributing writer for other parts of the site. Wilson was selected as part of the Sports 40 Under 40 list by Coach & AD Magazine and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association for 2019. The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) named Travis the 2015 recipient of the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award. He currently serves on the WFCA Executive Board and is a member of the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. A graduate of Richland Center High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Travis was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball, basketball), inducted to the Richland Center High School Hall of Fame in 2023, and currently resides in Reedsburg. You can follow him on Twitter at @travisWSN.

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  Football Playoffs