Rhinelander’s Evan Shoeder battles Merrill’s Brody Klebenow (36) and Keylin Allen (18) for a pass in the end zone during a GNC football game at Merrill Friday, Oct. 17. The Hodags lost the game, 27-13, but secured the 32nd and final qualifying position for the WIAA Division 3 playoffs and will open the tournament tonight at Madison Edgewood. (Bob Mainhardt for the River News)
Stories this photo appears in:
Pigskin Preview Week 10: Rhinelander at Edgewood
Given second life, Hodag football looks to make most of postseason opportunity
The sadness and uncertainty the Rhinelander High School football team faced when it left the field following a 27-13 loss to Merrill in its regular season finale last Friday was replaced with relief and happiness roughly 13 hours later when the Hodags found out that — despite a three-game losing streak to end the regular season — it had done just enough the qualify for the WIAA playoffs.
