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La Crosse Central trailed Eau Claire Memorial 33-20 with less than seven minutes left in the game, in part to three turnovers (two interceptions and a fumble) by first-year starting quarterback Mason Herlitzke. However, Herlitzke stayed the course and led a furious comeback that saw the RiverHawks score three times in the last 6:31 to claim a 43-33 victory last Thursday to kick off the spring football season. He threw two touchdowns and ran for another in those final furious minutes, and accounted for all six touchdowns for Central in the game. He completed 22-of-33 passes for 222 yards and three scores, adding 221 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries.

Lodi posted a 32-11 victory over Edgerton to open the spring football season, and the Blue Devils' defense certainly came up big. Also key to the victory was the impressive rushing performance by junior Lucas Heyroth, who looks to be the latest in a long line of star running backs at Lodi. He carried the ball 27 times for 261 yards to go with four touchdowns, including a pair of 26-yard scores in the second half to help put the game away.

To say last week was a challenge for Fennimore junior Max Kenney would be a drastic understatement. His father, Robert, was a fixture around Golden Eagle athletics, but passed away Wednesday, March 17th at UW's Carbone Cancer Center. The funeral was last Monday. Despite dealing with the loss of his father, Max and his Fennimore teammates had to prepare for two-time defending state champion Black Hawk/Warren (IL). Fennimore never trailed Friday night, holding off the Warriors in a 30-22 victory. Kenney completed 14-of-28 passes for 199 yards and two scores, and afterwards he was presented with the game ball by the team. He carried it proudly, even as he picked up yard markers and pylons after the game in a show of doing things the right way, just as dad taught him.

As a junior in 2019 when Waunakee finished as state runner-up, Caden Nelson was the starting quarterback to begin the year and threw for nearly 1300 yards with 25 touchdowns before an injury knocked him out late in the season. With two talented passers in the program, including Quentin Keene, Nelson made the move to running back this season in a display of his versatility, ability, and selflessness. The 6'2", 194-pounder was outstanding in his first action at a new position, rushing for 178 yards and two scores on 29 carries, adding four catches for 60 yards and two touchdowns through the air as Waunakee beat Stoughton 34-13. 

What a start to the season it was the Omro Foxes. Coming off a 3-7 record in 2019, the team opened with three-time defending state champion and Flyway nemesis Saint Mary's Springs. Omro scored first and would never trail in the game en route to a 24-12 victory. Senior Ben Wellhoefer led the way with 27 carries for 192 yards and three touchdowns, adding 11 tackles on defense with a forced fumble as well.

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.