MOSINEE, WI- Anyway to get in, that was the mentality of the Shawano Hawks this season as they fought their way to three wins and qualified for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. That already is the longest streak in school history, but they look to do something else they have never done, win a WIAA Regular Playoff Format game.
The Hawks won two playoff games in 2020 during the WIAA COVID format which put teams in a four team bracket and allowed them to play up to two games and finish the post season 2-0. That season, there was not a State Championship. The Hawks made the playoffs in 2009, 2010, 2016, 2019 and 2021, but never won a playoff game those years.
In 2009, Shawano lost to Pulaski 62-23 in Level 1. The next year they lost in Level 1 to Ashwaubenon 33-0. In 2016, they fell to Notre Dame 45-13 in their first Division 3 playoff game. In 2019 they lost to West De Pere 56-20 and in 2021 they fell to Menasha 41-26. Not only has Shawano not won a regular format post season game, they have not been real close either.
Shawano entered the season as one of the favorites in the Bay Conference. Only two teams in the Bay had a win by the end of Week 4, and Shawano needed to wait until Week 6 to get their first win. Entering the postseason, the Hawks have won three of their last 4 and have been finding a groove on offense with Sophomore Quarterback Jerzy Brocker and a handful of receivers.
Shawano got one key difference making win as they beat Winneconne during Homecoming. That win proved to be a strong enough tie breaker win to help Shawano get into the postseason with a record below .500. The Hawks had a tough schedule as they faced 7 playoff teams in the first 7 weeks.
Entering the postseason, Brocker has 22 touchdowns, which is a school record in Shawano. In addition, Brocker has 5 rushing touchdowns and two interception returns for a touchdown. Brocker has spread the ball around to three primary targets this season, Ashton Henning, Logan Sipple and Jacob Landon. Michael Metcalf-Grassman has also hauled in a couple of touchdowns to help the cause after starting the season at quarterback.
Mosinee opened the season with a 20-20 tie with Stratford and also lost to Racine St. Catherine’s in Week 2. Since then they have rattled off 7 straight wins and are led by a quarterback, Gavin Obremski with over 2000 yards and a 6’6″ receiver Davin Stoffle with over 700 yards and 15 touchdowns on the season.
Brocker is 102-204 with 1637 yards and 22 touchdowns passing and has 99 carries for 549 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns. Ashton Henning has 27 receptions with 632 yards and 9 touchdowns. Jacob Landon has 39 catches with 394 yards and 3 touchdowns and Logan Sipple has 30 catches with 371 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Tonight’s game is on Franchise Sport Radio 1380 and 96.5 and 94.9.
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