November 16, 2020 at 8:28 a.m.
Hodags rally past Lakeland 27-20
RHS wins first playoff game in program history
Hodags rally past Lakeland 27-20
The "Heart Attack Hodags" struck again. Quinn Lamers scored on a four-yard quarterback draw with 1:59 remaining and Rhinelander completed a wild comeback, defeating the Thunderbirds 27-20 at Mike Webster Stadium.
An error-plagued first half saw the Hodags' in a 14-point second quarter hole, but that hasn't fazed this year's Rhinelander crew. Rhinelander (7-1) has trailed by 14 points or more in the first half on three separate occasions this season and has rallied to win all three times.
This one was the most significant of the bunch as the top-seeded Hodags earned the first postseason win in program history and the right to host Mosinee on Thursday night in the final round of this year's WIAA football culminating event.
"It was elation on the sideline," Hodag coach Aaron Kraemer said. "After being down so much and then coming back, it's that same elation, same feeling that our players have felt all year long."
The Hodags overcame three turnovers and eight penalties in a sloppy performance. The last giveaway was a Caleb Olcikas fumble inside the Lakeland 10 on the opening play of the fourth quarter with Rhinelander down 20-12.
But, as has been the case all year in Rhinelander's winningest season since 1989, even if the Hodag offensive giveth, the Hodag defense taketh right back. Mandela Anderson knocked the ball free from Lakeland running back Rocky Wagoner on the very next play, Jackson Labs recover for Rhinelander at the T-Bird 13 and Joe Schneider scored four plays later on a two-yard run. Lamers hit Labs for the two-point conversion to tie the game with 11:46 remaining.
Rhinelander created two more turnovers Friday night, giving the coach Gary Zarda-led defense 19 takeaways on the season.
"Coach Zarda's defense has a turnover mentality and he coaches that mentality into the kids," Kraemer said. "They go hunting for the ball. When we needed it the most, the defense steps up and makes a play and the offense takes it in."
Lakeland was forced to punt on its next possession, and the Hodags went to work from their own 31 with 6:41 remaining. The drive appeared to be going nowhere until Lamers hit Travis Towne for a 37-yard completion over the middle, converting a third-and-8. Two more runs got the Hodags down to the 24 and Lamers did the rest, calling his own number on three straight draws plays for the go-ahead score.
It capped off a big night for Lamers, who threw for 157 yards and a pair of first-half touchdowns. He also chipped in an interception defensively.
"At the end of the game, I said we're going to put the ball in No. 4's hands," Kraemer said, referencing Lamers' jersey number. "He's a senior. In my opinion, he's balled up the last couple weeks. He's had to pick up the slack for some mental mistakes and he's done a great job."
Lakeland was unable to do anything on its last possession and when Tyler Olson broke up Brayden Wiczek's pass attempt on fourth down with 1:06 remaining, the Hodags were able to exhale and celebrate a victory over their Great Northern Conference rivals.
"We talked about being able to do something historic all week and win our program's first playoff game," Kraemer said. "Regardless of the score and regardless of the way that it turned out, it was a special night for us. I'm very proud of the way our players fought back."
Things could have gone terribly wrong for the Hodags early in the contest. Olcikas fumbled on Rhinelander's opening offensive play, giving Lakeland a short field. The T-Birds cashed in, converting twice on fourth down before Wagoner scored from three yards out to give Lakeland a 6-0 lead. Rhinelander responded on the next drive as Lamers found Labs for a 41-yard score on third down to tie the game at 6.
After the Hodags went 3-and-out to end the first quarter, Lakeland matched 54 yards on six plays, capped off by another Wagoner three-yard score to go up 12-6. Then, Rhinelander committed a mental error, not covering a loose ball on the ensuing kickoff. Lakeland recovered at the Rhinelander 14 and scored five plays later on a three-yard run by Jack Hartzheim to go ahead 20-6 with 7:42 remaining in the half.
"It was a comedy of mental errors," Kraemer said. "One person after another was making a mistake. Sometimes it was a player, sometimes it was a coach, whatever it may be. It was one person not doing their job. That's something, as a coach, I look back over the last couple of weeks and they are a few things that maybe should have been taken care of a little bit sooner."
After Rhinelander turned it over on downs and Lakeland punted, the Hodags had one more chance before halftime and marched 80 yards on eight plays in only 1 minute, 16 seconds. Lamers hit Towne in the end zone from 27 yards out to bring Rhinelander with 20-12 with 14 seconds remaining in the half.
A Lakeland team that came in 2-3 overall after having to cancel a pair of games due to COVID-19 concerns, proved pesky, limiting the Hodags to only 130 yards on the ground. Both Cayden Neri and Olcikas had a hard time getting going in the ground game. Neri finished with 59 yards on 16 carries while Olcikas had 48 yards on 14 carries. Lamers added 34 yards on the ground.
Towne, named a first-team all-conference tight end a night earlier, had three catches for 65 yards while Labs caught two passes for 58 yards.
Lakeland's leading rusher, Erik Albertus, was shaken up early in the game and held to five yards on two carries. Wagoner finished with 37 yards on 15 carries while Wiczek was 12 of 24 passing for 93 yards and an interception. Max Masayesva caught four passes for 58 yards.
The victory also allowed the Hodags to retain the Northwoods Axe for the second straight year and even the trophy-trade series a three games a piece. The teams were to have played for the Axe Oct. 23 before Lakeland had to cancel due to the coronavirus.
Rhinelander will conclude the season at home Thursday against Mosinee. The Indians earned a forfeit win over Wausau West after the Warriors canceled early last week. Mosinee defeated Cadott 35-23 in an alternate game on Friday.
Rhinelander defeated Mosinee 28-21 Oct. 2 in regular season play. Fittingly, Rhinelander trailed the Indians 14-0 in the first half of that contest before rallying.
"It's been that narrative all season long, that we have the fortitude to fight back and win games," Kraemer said. "Apparently our team wouldn't have it any other way."
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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