October 22, 2022 – Slinger, WI – The No. 2 seed Slinger Owls defeated No. 7 seed Germantown Warhawks on Friday, October 21, 2022, to advance to the next round of Division 2 WIAA playoffs.
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Slinger senior quarterback Tanner Hora got the Owls on the scoreboard early with a 3-yard rushing touchdown at 6:34 putting the Owls up 7-0.
Germantown fought back as Will Van Fossen scored on a 12-yard pass from Henry Kelley to tie the game 7-7 with 1:50 left in the first quarter.
In the second quarter as Hora had another 2-yard run into the end zone at 7:19, but the Kelley to Van Fossen connection was quickly on their heels scoring on a 22-yard pass with 0:03 seconds left in the quarter tying the game at the half 14-14.
In the third quarter, Kelley scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown putting the Warhawks up 21-14.
Slinger responded as junior Mark Leidel brought the stadium crowd to its feet with a stunning 74-yard kick return for a score, tying the game 21-21.
The fourth quarter was a fierce 15-minute fight. Senior running back Avery Kurth was able to push his way into the end zone on a 4-yard run at 11:15.
The Warhawks responded with another pass from Kelley to Van Fossen at 5:18 tying the game 28-28 with little time left on the clock.
Slinger drew confidence from the stands as the crowd electrified the Owls with deafening support.
With 1:54 left in the game Kurth charged into the end zone on a 4-yard run putting the Owls ahead 35-28 and securing a win.
Hora went 6 for 8 and finished with 40 yards passing and 21 rushing yards.
Kurth put up the stats with 232 rushing yards on 38 attempts.
Seniors Luke German and Chase Elliott along with sophomore Charlie Hoitink had fantastic defensive performances to help lead Slinger to the next round.
In a post-game interview Hora said, “The offensive line had a great night. We just dominated their defense in the run game, they deserve a lot of credit.”
Slinger will face No. 6 seed Kaukauna at 7 p.m. at Slinger High School on Friday, October 28, 2022.
In other WIAA playoff action:
In WIAA D2 – Top seed Hartford beat No. 8 Nicolet 37-7 to advance to a Friday, Oct. 28 game vs. No. 5 Homestead at Hartford. Homestead upset No. 4 Milwaukee Vincent/Destiny 49-0.
In WIAA D3 – No. 3 West Bend East advances on a 21 – 7 win over No. 7 McFarland. The Suns will face No. 2 Mt. Horeb/Barneveld on Friday, Oct. 28 at Mt. Horeb/Barneveld.
In WIAA D4 – No. 2 Kewaskum advances following a convincing 31 – 6 win over No. 7 Kohler Co-op. The Indians host No. 3 Two Rivers on Friday, Oct. 28.
In WIAA D4 – No. 4 Campbellsport knocked out No. 5 Sheboygan Falls with a 61-28 win. The Cougars will face No. 1 Racine St. Catherines on Friday, Oct. 28 at Racine Horlick Field.
