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Slinger did not lead in the game until less than four minutes remained, but the Owls found a way to prevail 31-30 over Rice Lake to claim the WIAA Division 2 state championship.

With the game on the line, Slinger turned to an unlikely figure to close things out. Facing a fourth and one with 2:17 remaining in the game, Slinger inserted 5'10", 255-pound defensive lineman Landon Gehring in the Wildcat formation, and he pounded over the left side for four yards and the game-sealing first down. They'd kneel out the rest of the game.

Just a few minutes earlier, Slinger took it's only lead of the game when Michael Thiede rushed in from two yards out, as Cole Martin's extra point lifted the Owls to a 31-30 advantage with 3:29 remaining.

Rice Lake had a chance following that score, but facing third and eight and then fourth and eight from their own 39-yard line, the Warriors couldn't connect on back-to-back pass attempts, turning the ball over.

After receiving the opening kickoff, it was Rice Lake that jumped out front right away, converting a 67-play drive into a Jakob Kunz 12-yard touchdown run and 8-0 lead. Slinger answered back, marching 65 yards of its own to tie the game when Thiede went in from a yard out and Kobe Hendricks scored on the conversion.

Every drive in the first half with the exception of a one-play Rice Lake kneel down just before halftime resulted in a touchdown, though Rice Lake led 24-21 at the break after converting each of its two-point plays. The final Rice Lake scoring drive was a costly one, however, as quarterback Jakob Kunz left with injury.

The scoring didn't let up in the second half, as neither team punted in the game. Cole Martin tied the game with a 38-yard field goal midway through the third quarter. 

Rice Lake reeled off a 15-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that covered 8:49 on the clock, capped off by a three-yard touchdown run from Lucas Peters with 9:25 remaining in the game. However, the Warriors couldn't convert the two-point play, going ahead 30-24.

The teams traded fumbles in quick succession in the fourth quarter, before Slinger took over and went ahead for good on the Michael Thiede run.

It is the second state title for Slinger, who also won a D3 championship in 1998. Rice Lake takes home a fifth runner-up trophy to go with three state titles, including last season's Division 3 crown.

Michael Thiede thew for 181 yards on 12-of-15 passing with a touchdown. He also led the Owls with 48 rushing yards. Brayden Schnorenberg hauled in four passes for 78 yards, while Lucas Sonn also caught four passes for 58 yards and a touchdown. In addition to his key fourth down conversion run on offense, Landon Gehring recovered a fumble as well.

Rice Lake rushed for 286 yards, with Connor Durand leading the way with 123 on 14 carries. Lucas Peters had 82 yards and two touchdowns, while Jakob Kunz contributed 61 yards and a touchdown on five carries before leaving with injury.

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.