September 27, 2019 at 10:34 p.m.
The Bell is back!
The Bell is back!
Drake Martin rushed for two touchdowns, Caleb Olcikas added a long kick return for a score and the Hodags defeated Antigo in the 85th playing of the Bell Game 20-10 Friday at Mike Webster Stadium.
It was Rhinelander's first win in the series since 2006, snapping the second longest losing streak for the Hodags in the series, only surpassed by a 13-game skid from 1961-1973.
Martin put the Hodags on the board early with a 13-yard first-quarter run and, after Antigo marched down the field to kick a 25-yard field goal, momentum swung in Rhinelander's direction as Olcikas took the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown to put the Hodags up 14-3 with 7:04 remaining in the first half.
The score remained that way until midway through the fourth quarter. After Rhinelander stopped Antigo on fourth down inside the Hodags' 25, Martin broke through with a 47-yard scoring scamper to put the game out of reach.
Martin finished with 143 yards on 22 carries for the Hodags as the Hodags outgained Antigo 220-113 on the ground. Nevin Cornelius passed for 148 yards and a touchdown for Antigo, but also committed two second half turnovers. Alec Hotchkiss finished with eight catches for 109 yards and a score.
Rhinelander (5-1, 2-1 Great Northern) clinched its first non-losing season since 1994 and is one win away from becoming playoff eligible. The Hodags will travel to Mosinee next Friday night. The Indians won a shootout over Lakeland 45-35 on Friday.
A full report will be published in Tuesday's River News.
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