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Saint Croix Central comes into the Division 4 state finals with a 10-3 record. All three losses came in the Middle Border Conference season where they finished third at 4-3. The losses were to New Richmond, 20-12, Baldwin-Woodville 21-20 and defending state champion Osceola 21-7
But the tough conference the Panthers play helped them in the long run.
The Panthers swept their way to Camp Randall with wins over Northwestern 35-20, Osceola 21-14, GET 41-21 and Little Chute 23-17.
Perhaps the most amazing part was the fact they knocked off two number one seeds (Osceola, Little Chute) and a number two seed (GET) along the way.
This was Saint Croix Central's second year in the Middle Border Conference, moving up from the Dunn Saint Croix Conference because of size.
"The communities and the school are growing," said head coach Tony DiSalvo. "And that is a good thing."
The Panthers run the triple option which DiSalvo went with three years ago after running the spread.
"If we run 55 plays a game, 50 of them will be running plays," the coach said. "We only pass about five times a game."
He said the success this season goes right down to the kids.
"They are super kids," he said. "They deliver on the field and are there for each other."
"And we have a great coaching staff, too."
A couple losses in midseason came when the Panthers were hit by the injury bug and it got the kids going after it harder.
"They hit the weight room, watched film and just wanted to keep working hard," DiSalvo said. "They are an amazing bunch of guys. They don't blink. They just keep playing hard."
When they regrouped after the losses they next had to contain with hitting the road.
"Eight of our last 10 games were on the road," DiSalvo said.
"We know River Valley has an outstanding quarterback in Elijah Alt," the coach continued. "They have a handful of solid players and are a good team in a very strong conference. We know they are physical."
"From now on every play is important," DiSalvo said. "I think the team that blocks and tackles the best will come out on top."
COACHING STAFF
Tony DiSalvo (UW-River Falla, 1985) is head coach
Assistants are Zach Turpin, John Tackmann, Ryan Berg, Pat Hook, Jake Knapton
PLAYERS TO WATCH
#2 Collin Nelson, 5-11, 175, jr, qb/cb
Nelson has completed 21 of 53 attempts for 563 yards and eight touchdowns in the run oriented Panthers offense. He has also raced for 581 yards on 124 attempts. He is second in team scoring with 16 touchdowns for 96 points.
As a cornerback Nelson has 34 tackles and an interception.
#32 Ryan Larson, 6-0, 180, soph, fb/lb
Larson has roamed for 1207 yards on 174 attempts. He has rushed for 14 touchdowns and added 35 extra points on 36 attempts for 119 points to lead the team. He is also second on the team in tackles with 88 as a linebacker.
#25 Mike Steinmetz, 5-11, 170, soph, hb/wr/cb
Another sophomore who has contributed to the Panthers, Steinmentz has totaled 595 yards on 88 attempts and two touchdowns while missing two games with an injury.
#46 Cole Refsnider, 6-3, 215, sr, fb/lb
The senior fullback has 536 yards to his credit on 81 attempts and has scored 60 points on 10 touchdowns.
He is a defensive stalwart with 131 team leading tackles, 44 of them solo He also has an interception to his credit.
#12 Trevor Nelson, 6-4, 205, sr, wr/de
Nelson has 245 receiving yards and three touchdowns but his forte is defense where he has 88 tackles, seven sacks and three fumble recoveries.
#1 Brady Williquett, 6-0, 165, sr, wr/ss
The senior receiver has 229 receiving yards and three touchdowns to his credit.
Others who have contributed to the Panther defense are:
#20 Cody Kavitz, 5-10, 190, sr, lb
#3 Luke Rohl, 5-11, 165. sr, db
#75 Chris Matteson, 6-3, 250. jr, dt
#63 Hunter Schmidt, 6-3, 270, jr, dt
#71 Jason Pribnow, 6-3, 220. sr, dt
#68 Jordan Winegar, 5-11, 245, sr, dt
PANTHERS ROSTER
Name Pos. Gr. Ht. Wt.
1 Brady Williquett WR/SS 12 6-0 165
2 Collin Nelson QB/CB 11 5-11 175
3 Luke Rohl WR/DB 12 5-11 165
4 Justin Freyholtz WR/CB 11 5-11 155
5 Keagen Berg FB/LB 10 5-6 170
7 Caleb Davis WR/DB 12 5-10 185
8 Alec Fischer HB/DE 11 5-11 170
9 Will Soderberg QB/DB 10 6-3 185
11 Austin Kopacz QB/DB 10 6-0 160
12 Trevor Nelson (C) WR/DE 12 6-4 205
13 George Vondriska HB/SS 11 5-11 155
20 Cody Kavitz HB/LB 12 5-10 190
22 Brett Mousel WR/CB 11 6-0 160
23 Jacob Murtha HB/SS 10 5-10 140
25 Mike Steinmetz HB/WR/CB 10 5-11 170
31 Jasyn Bachtell OG/DL 10 5-0 130
32 Ryan Larson FB/LB 10 6-0 180
33 Nick Jones OG/DT 12 5-8 205
34 Derek Myer TE/DE 10 5-10 175
43 Sam Malecek WR/LB 10 5-9 145
46 Cole Refsnider (C) FB/LB 12 6-3 215
49 Linus Krummenacher WR/DB 11 5-10 135
52 Josh Hennen LB/OB 12 5-9 175
54 Jacob Zimdahl OLB/RG 11 5-10 185
56 Nathan Berends C/DL 10 5-6 180
57 Justin Arthur DT/OL 11 5-11 240
58 David Spaeth OL/DL 12 6-8 230
59 Brenden Ferkans OT/DE 12 5-11 175
60 Joshua Ferkans OG/DT 12 5-11 185
61 Jimmy Brandvold OG/DT 11 5-6 165
62 Joe Hueg OT/DT 10 6-6 235
63 Hunter Schmidt OT/DT 11 6-3 270
64 Cole Gostovich ST/PK/P 11 5-10 215
65 Josh Woodington OL/DL 9 6-0 190
66 Raini Denny-Broker OL/DL 12 5-10 245
68 Jordan Winegar C/DT 12 5-11 245
71 Jason Pribnow (C) OB/DT 12 6-3 220
75 Chris Matteson OG/DT 11 6-3 250
77 Will Walen OL/DL 11 6-0 250
80 Blake Coleman OB/LB 11 6-0 185
88 Jacob Spaeth TE/DE 11 6-4 165
RIVER VALLEY
PLAYERS TO WATCH
#2 Elijah Alt, 5-11. 175. sr. qb/db
Alt does it all and other players seem to feed off him. He has 1364 yards on the ground with 198 carries and has passed for 870 more, hitting 94 of 152 attempts  He has carried the ball for 23 touchdowns and passed for 21 more.
Defensively Alt has 17 tackles, three interceptions and a fumble recovery.
Alt also does the punting and averages close to 40 yards per kick.
#42 Ryan Wickman, 6-1, 175, sr, rb/wr/db
If there is a dynamic duo in southwest Wisconsin it is Wickman and Alt. The senior has also scored 23 times, 10 via rush and 13 on passes. He lines up at both running back and wide receiver and has run for 478 yards on 66 carries and caught 51 passes for 870 yards. He also runs back kicks.
Defensively Wickman has 24 tackles and five interceptions.
#23 Shane Liegel, 6-1, 180, soph, rb/lb
Liegel has 226 yards on 52 carries as one of the running backs for the Blackhawks. But the best part of his game has been his defensive play at linebacker where he has 52 tackles to lead the team.
#1 Will Bergman, 6-1, 185, jr, rb/lb
Another two way performer Bergan has 153 yards rushing when his number was called with one touchdown. He is also the second leading tackler with 47, an interception and two fumble recoveries.
#24 Justin Yanke, 5-11, 165, jr, rb/lb
Yanke has 64 yards on the ground as another one out of the Blackhawks stable of backs.
#10 Derek Wedige, 6-3, 155, sr, se/db
One of Alt's top targets, Wedige has 21 catches for 328 yards and four touchdowns.
#8 Brett Nachreiner, 6-2, 185, jr, se/db
The junior has become more active as a receiver down the stretch and has 10 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown.
Other top defenders are:
#11 Nate Jennings, 5-11, 165, jr, se/db (has three interceptions and 20 tackles)
#51 Kurt Schaller, 6-4, 225, sr, ol/dl
(has 19 tackles and two sacks)
Also, #7 Zach Cady (6-2, 195, jr se/db
(has kicked 30 extra points)
River Valley head coach Tim Eastlick feels having a two year starter at quarterback who can both run and throw has been a key to the offensive success for the Blackhawks.
"Elijah Alt has really developed his passing game," Eastlick said. "He is just a great competitor and does it all year long in football, wrestling and baseball."
The other key is the defense and how the team has bought into it.
"We run a 3-5 defense and do a lot of rotating," Eastlick said.
He says the Blackhawks get strong play at linebacker from Shane Liegel, Will Bergman, Justin Yanke, Brennan Scallon and Ethyn Johnson. His rotation at tackle includes Billy Schluter, Jared Erb, TJ Knapp, Kurt Schaller, Jordan Slaney and Keegan Smith.
"We want as many athletes out on the field that we can," Eastlick said.
He also has a good group of defensive backs in Alt, Wickman and Nachreiner.
About Saint Croix Centeral Eastlick knows the Panthers are a bigger team.
"But, athlete to athlete we match up pretty well," he said.
"We are getting closer to our goal of being able to platoon," he said.
Getting to state for the first time in football has helped build the community, says Eastlick.
"It gets people involved with what our kids can do in River Valley," he said. "It is great for everyone."
Eastlick also feels the reason the Blackhawks are where they are is because they believe.
"They believe in themselves and in each other," he said.
COACHING STAFF
Tim Eastlick (UW-OshKosh, 1993)
Kevin Billington, Bob Bramlett, Kyle Heckendorf, James Russell, Dan Machovec, Tim Liegel, Chadd Maxwell, Jason Sprecher
BLACKHAWKS ROSTER
Name Pos. Gr. Ht. Wt.
1 Will Bergman RB/LB 11 6-1 185
2 Elijah Alt (C) QB/DB 12 5-11 175
3 Brennan Scallon RB/LB 12 5-8 155
4 Will Jewell RB/LB 9 6-1 180
7 Zach Cady SE/DB 11 6-2 195
8 Brett Nachreiner SE/DB 11 6-2 185
9 Alan Spurley TE/DL 11 5-9 185
10 Derek Wedige (C) SE/DB 12 6-3 155
11 Nate Jennings SE/DB 12 5-11 165
12 Brandon Wastlick SE/DB 11 5-9 145
18 Mason Horton SE/DB 12 5-11 165
20 Noah Scallon RB/LB 11 5-9 170
21 Caleb Radtke SE/DB 11 5-9 135
22 Jack Kannenberg TE/LB 10 6-1 165
23 Shane Liegel RB/LB 10 6-1 180
24 Justin Yanke QB/LB 11 5-11 165
26 Josh Maier QB/DB 9 6-2 155
28 Taylor Knutson SE/DB 10 5-9 140
32 Jordan Slaney TE/DL 12 5-9 200
42 Ryan Wickman (C) RB/DB 12 6-1 175
44 Dylan Thielmann SE/DB 10 5-9 150
50 Isaac Bindl OL/LB 12 5-11 175
51 Kurt Schaller OL/DL 12 6-4 225
56 Prestin Vanderheyden OL/DL 11 6-0 155
58 Jared Erb (C) OL/DL 12 6-2 185
59 Zach Paulus OL/LB 9 5-11 185
60 Kaidon Cowley OL/DL 11 5-10 275
62 Keegan Smith OL/DL 10 6-1 220
64 Carter Gruber OL/DL 11 6-0 160
65 Billy Schluter OL/DL 11 6-3 220
66 Brock Mahoney OL/LB 10 6-1 200
68 Connor Mickelson OL/DL 10 6-6 200
70 T.J. Knapp OL/DL 11 5-9 235
71 Hunter Prochaska OL/DL 11 6-1 250
72 Jack Meixelsperger RB/LB 9 5-9 140
73 Tyler Wiedenfeld OL/DL 10 6-0 230
77 Ethyn Johnson OL/LB 12 5-10 175
87 Gavin Wipperfurth SE/LB 12 5-7 165