Amherst football claims state title at Camp Randall
MADISON – After each and every victory this season, 6-foot-4, 305-pound behemoth Michael Singer has come charging into the team huddle and has performed his form of a cartwheel.
And there were the Amherst football players in a semi-circle on the west sideline at Camp Randall Stadium awaiting his arrival.
For the last time in the last game in his prep career, Singer got one last crack at celebrating in his special style. And this time his cartwheel never meant more to him or the Falcons.
Carter Zblewski drilled a 26-yard field goal with 9 seconds left in regulation, the first of his career, to give Amherst a thrilling 38-35 victory over Cedar Grove-Belgium in the Division 5 state championship game Thursday night.
The Falcons (13-1) rallied from a 35-28 deficit with 8:50 remaining in the fourth quarter to claim the program’s third state title since 2012, and second gold ball in a row.
“I’m speechless,” said Singer, a senior all-state lineman who has been key in back-to-back state championships. “It came down to the last seconds. I don’t even know what to say. It’s amazing.
“It’s crazy just being down here three times in my high school career. I’m really fortunate to be a part of something like this.”
When Bryce Holderman intercepted record-setting Cedar Grove-Belgium quarterback Josh Weiss with the Rockets in desperation mode on the final play of the game, a gamut of emotions overtook Amherst players.
Senior defensive tackle Chris Thomas had a look of bewilderment, almost as if he couldn’t believe what just happened.
Earlier in the day, the entire student body offered Thomas a rendition of “Happy Birthday” during the team’s pep rally in the morning to send the Falcons off to Madison.
“This is the best birthday present ever,” said Thomas, with a steady stream of tears rolling down both cheeks coming from red eyes.
Thomas wasn’t the only one wondering what had just unfolded over a crazy final minute.
With the Rockets (12-2) backed up and time running out in the final period, Cedar Grover-Belgium coach Dan Schreurs took a gamble.
After a timeout with 1:02 on the clock, Schreurs called for a hook-and-ladder. Weiss looked for his all-state receiver Reid Heilbelink on a quick hitch.
There was some question as to whether Hilbelink ever had possession of the pass before he attempted to lateral the ball to Matt Dirkse.
The ball landed on the artificial turf and Amherst outside linebacker Thomas Andersen never hesitated and scooped the ball up and returned it to the Rockets’ 14-yard line. Officials ruled it Falcons football.
“I don’t know (if it was a completion or fumble). I would have to take a look at the film first,” said Schreurs who was positioned on the opposite sideline from where the play occurred.
Amherst football coach Mark Lusic preferred to focus on how his team managed to persevere and find a way to win a game that came down to the wire for one of the rare times all season.
At stake was bringing home either a silver ball or gold.
His team could have easily collapsed after encountering a brilliant performance from Weiss, who set the school record for yards (4,231) and touchdowns (59) in a season.
Weiss went 36-for-51 for 384 yards — a state record in a championship game for any division — with five touchdowns in the state title game.
“To win it this way, I never thought it would come down to that,” Lusic said. “That quarterback and those receivers. That’s the best package of receivers I’ve ever seen in Division 5.
“It’s unbelievable. A sense of relief. A sense of excitement. To say we went back-to-back makes it special. We made one more play than they did.”
Hilbelink finished with 164 yards on 14 receptions to close out the season with a state-record 24 TD receptions. Ethan Brochtrup added 13 catches for 155 yards.
The Falcons also dealt with injuries to several key players. Chandler Benn, who had racked up 68 yards and a pair of touchdowns before injuring a shoulder. Angel Nieves was lost to a leg injury after an interception.
None of it fazed the Falcons.
When Holderman was sent head over heels to end the game, Amherst was bringing home a gold ball for the third time in four state final appearances.
“I think it means a little more to me being my senior year and I know I’m not coming back,” Amherst wideout Josh Cisewski said. “I was just in shock. Senior year you couldn’t ask for any more. Your heart’s pumping the whole time and there’s adrenaline. Pure happiness.”
Scott A. Williams can be reached at 715-345-2282, orby email at ssswilliam@stevenspoint.gannett.com. Find him on Twitter as @SPJScottWill
CEDAR GROVE-BELGIUM 14 0 14 7 – 35
AMHERST 14 14 0 10 – 38
First quarter
CG-B: Reid Hilbelink 13 pass from Josh Weiss (Chris Jentges kick)
A: Chandler Benn 1 run (Carter Zblewski kick)
CG-B: Reid Hilbelink 7 pass from Josh Weiss (Chris Jentges kick)
A: Chandler Benn 3 run (Carter Zblewski kick)
Second quarter
A: Devin Ostrowski 4 run (Carter Zblewski kick)
A: Josh Cisewski 30 pass from Brandon Piotrowski (Carter Zblewski kick)
Third quarter
CG-B: Matt Dirkse 8 pass from Josh Weiss (Chris Jentges kick)
CG-B: Jason von Heimburg 11 pass from Josh Weiss (Chris Jentges kick)
Fourth quarter
CG-B: CG-B: Jason von Heimburg 10 pass from Josh Weiss (Chris Jentges kick)
A: Brandon Piotrowski 2 run (Carter Zblewski kick)
A: Carter Zblewski 26 field goal
Cedar Grove-Belgium
First downs: 24
Total net yards: 422
Rushing yards: 39
Passing yards: 383
Comp-Att-Int: 36-52-3
Fumbles-lost: 1-1
Penalties-yards: 3-23
Amherst
First downs: 21
Total net yards: 366
Rushing yards: 198
Passing yards: 168
Comp-Att-Int: 10-15-0
Fumbles-lost: 1-1
Penalties-yards: 6-24
Individual leaders
Rushing: Bryce Morgan CG-B 7-21; Devin Ostrowski A 14-71; Chandler Benn A 13-67; Marcus Glodowski A 14-57.
Passing: Josh Weiss CG-B 36-51-2-383; Brandon Piotrowski A 10-15-0-168.
Receiving: Reid Hilbelink CG-B 14-164; Ethan Brochtrup CG-B 13-155; Joshua Shude A 3-43; Marcus Glodowski A 2-46; Josh Cisewski A 2-39.
Brett Christopherson: 920-993-7117, or bchristopherson@gannett.com; on Twitter @PCBrettC