Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net

It was unfortunate someone had to lose the Division 5 state title game between Colby and Lancaster, as it surely was one of the best championship games in Wisconsin history. Alas, Colby converted an extra point in overtime to claim a 44-43 victory over the Arrows in a game that more than lived up to the billing between previously undefeated teams.

The Hornets went up early, scoring on their opening drive then recovering a Lancaster fumble to set up another touchdown. Lancaster punched in a score of their own but Colby would score 10 quick points to go up 23-7 early in the second quarter. As they have all season, the Arrows demonstrated their big play ability, scoring a pair of touchdowns in a three minute span to pull within 23-20. The teams would trade scores in the final minutes as Colby took a 30-27 lead into halftime.

While the scoreboard could barely keep up in the first half, the third quarter saw the teams gain traction on defense, and the score remained 30-27 after the third quarter.

Lancaster took its first lead of the game early in the fourth on a 21 yard Trae Mezera touchdown run to go ahead 34-30. Colby answered back with a touchdown to regain the lead 37-34.

Lancaster sophomore kicker Hunter Budack tied the game at 37 on a 34-yard field goal with 4:17 left in the game, but it was not the end of the excitement.

With 2:03 remaining in the game, Lancaster forced the Hornets into a punting situation. However, Kile Jerrett would muff the punt, allowing Colby to recover on the Lancaster 10 yard line with great position to punch in a winning score. The Arrows held on defense, forcing a 19-yard field goal attempt by Colby with 36 seconds remaining. Jerrett took advantage of his chance at redemption, blocking the potential game-winning field goal to send the game into overtime.

Colby won the toss and elected to play defense first, but Lancaster wasted no time going ahead, scoring on a 25-yard Trae Mezera touchdown run. Hoswever, the extra point was blocked by Tyler Meyer, making the score 43-37 in favor of Lancaster.

On the first play of Colby's possession quarterback Aaron Koerner lofted a pass into the end zone for Meyer, who pulled it in between three Lancaster defenders. There would be no special teams heroics for Lancaster on the extra point however, as Michael Knetter drilled it through for a 44-43 overtime victory and Division 5 championship for Colby.

The teams set multiple state championships records in the game, including most combined points (87; all divisions record), most total yards combined (810; D5 record), and most yards of offense by one team (Lancaster, 475 yards).

Up next is the final state title game of the day as unbeaten Wrightstown takes on Middle Border Conference champion Somerset.

CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE:  
Thursday, Nov. 17
10 a.m.  Div. 7    Greenwood/Granton 40, Seneca 0
1 p.m.    Div. 6    Saint Mary's Springs 24, Shiocton 0
4 p.m.    Div. 5    Colby 44, Lancaster 43 (OT)
7 p.m.    Div. 4    Somerset (12-1) vs. Wrightstown (13-0)

Friday, Nov. 18
10 a.m.  Div. 3     West De Pere (13-0) vs. Wisconsin Lutheran (11-2)
1 p.m.    Div. 2     Waunakee (13-0) vs. Waterford (12-1)
4 p.m.    Div. 1     Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln (12-1) vs. Kenosha Bradford (13-0)