RHS Sports recap: Friday, Sept. 27

Football: Antigo 28, Rhinelander 20

The Rhinelander High School football team was unable to get it done down the stretch Friday night as it watched its chances to win the 90th Bell Game slip away. 

Two turnovers in the final seven minutes proved to be the difference as the Hodags fell to the Antigo Red Robins 28-20 at Schofield Stadium.

Antigo’s Colton Thomae threw two touchdown passes to Ethan Buchman in the first half, including one with 11 seconds remaining in the second quarter on fourth down, as the Robins took a 21-14 lead to the break. Thomae scored on a one-yard run in the third quarter and though Rhinelander answered back with a Logan Schwinger five-yard score in the fourth, the Hodags drew no closer. 

It marked the third straight win for Antigo in the Bell Game series and 57th overall against the Hodags.

Truman Lamers, who was a game time decision to play at quarterback due to a shoulder injury, threw for 79 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for a score, but was intercepted with the Hodags down eight late in the game to help seal it for the Robins. Myles Eagleson had 76 yards on 11 carries while Cyrus Leisure added 66 yards on seven carries. 

Thomae threw for 137 yards and rushed for another 88 for Antigo. Michael Hagerty had 10 carries for 60 yards and Buchman caught four passes for 70 yards. 

Rhinelander (3-3, 1-3 Great Northern) hosts Mosinee next Friday and must win at least two of its final three games to have a chance to qualify for the playoffs.

A full report will be published in Tuesday’s River News.