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Racine St. Catherine's commanded the game with some big plays, but it took a late stop in their own red zone following a furious Baldwin-Woodville comeback to allow the Angels to escape with a 26-22 victory and the Division 4 state championship.

Lamont Hamilton put on a record-setting performance for the Angels, scoring four long touchdowns, three of them through the air and one on a twisting, spinning kick return.

Up 20-0 and 26-8 at different times in the third quarter, Racine St. Catherine's seemed to be in control. However, Baldwin-Woodville's offense finally broke loose, and the Blackhawks posted 282 yards in the second half to make it quite a game at the end.

Taking over with 5:43 remaining, trailing 26-22, Baldwin-Woodville embarked on a 17-play, 73-yard drive that spanned 5:13 on the clock, but faced a fourth down and seven to go with the game on line with just 36 seconds left. Blackhawks quarterback Gavin Sell rolled left and was pressured quickly, barely getting off a desperation attempt that was picked off by Issac Cantu to finally wrap things up for Racine St. Catherine's.

Baldwin-Woodville had the first scoring threat of the game late in the first quarter, going on a 90-yard, 13-play drive, but ultimately turned the ball over on downs.

Taking over at their own two-yard line, Racine St. Catherine's would shortly face a fourth and one from their own 11. Head coach Dan Miller gambled and went for it, converting an eight-yard Lamont Hamilton run.

It was just the beginning for Hamilton, who would catch a 59-yard touchdown pass a few plays later to get St. Catherine's on the board.

After the teams traded short possessions, Racine St. Cat's forced and recovered a fumble in it's own territory. With just five seconds left until halftime, Eddie Vinson found Hamilton again for a 29-yard touchdown, giving the Angels a 14-0 lead into the break.

On the first play of the second half, Isaiah Taylor forced a Dane Veenendall fumble, which was recovered by Rudy Pardo. Two plays later, it was Vinson to Hamilton for a third time, this one from 49 yards out as St. Cat's went ahead 20-0.

Baldwin-Woodville finally got on the board when Gavin Sell ran 26 yards for a touchdown a short time later, but the ensuing kickoff was returned by Hamilton for 83 yards, putting Racine St. Catherine's ahead 26-8.

Baldwin-Woodville's offense continued to click, driving 77 yards on 12 plays as Gavin Sell found Brody Everts for a 23 yard touchdown to pull within two scores after the conversion.

A Racine St. Catherine's punt on the next drive allowed Baldwin-Woodville to put together another lengthy drive of 62 yards and 10 plays, culminating in a one-yard Taden Holldorf touchdown plunge.

From there, the stage was set for the dramatic ending that saw Racine St. Catherine's hold on to win.

Baldwin-Woodville had 260 yards after halftime with four drives that accounted for double-digit plays and covered at least 62 yards. Meanwhile, Racine St. Catherine's had just 45 yards of offense after the break, and seven on its final three drives.

Lamont Hamilton finished with four catches for 155 yards and three touchdowns, a team-high 33 rushing yards on eight carries, completed a pass for 28 yards, and 87 total return yards. His 275 all-purpose yards carried the load for the Angels, and he added a couple key tackles defensively.

Speaking of defense, Isaiah Taylor had 12 tackles for the Angels, while Mariano and Mauricio Talamantez each had nine. St. Cat's forced four turnovers - a pair of interceptions and two fumbles.

For Baldwin-Woodville, Gavin Sell and Taden Holldorf carried the load as they've done so often this year. Sell ran for 145 yards and a score with 53 passing yards and a touchdown, while Tolldorf rushed for 137 yards and a touchdown. 

It is the second state championship for Racine St. Catherine's, who also hoisted the Division 4 title trophy in 2018. Baldwin-Woodville takes home a third runner-up trophy to go with two previous titles.

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.