Monona Grove Rallies, Pulls Away From Marshfield for 34–14 Win to Advance to Level 3

WIAA Division 2 Football Playoffs — Level 2

Friday, October 30, 2026 | John Klement Stadium, Monona Grove High School

Final: No. 1 Monona Grove 34, No. 5 Marshfield 14

Monona Grove faced one of its toughest challenges of the season Friday night, overcoming a determined Marshfield team and a scoreless first quarter before pulling away for a 34–14 victory in the second round of the WIAA Division 2 football playoffs.

The Silver Eagles got contributions from across their roster, with five rushing touchdowns, two critical interceptions, outstanding individual defensive efforts and timely plays in the passing game.

After a tight first half that featured three touchdowns in the final 50 seconds, Monona Grove took control with 13 unanswered points in the third quarter before delivering a physical, clock-consuming touchdown drive to seal the victory.

The win improved MG's record to 10–1 and sent the Silver Eagles to Level 3 of the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

Junior quarterback Jaxon Zukowski, speaking with Olivia Janik of the Wisconsin State Journal following the game, credited his teammates for responding to the challenge.

"Stunned us a little in the first half, but boys rallied after halftime and we played our game," he said.

Marshfield Challenges MG Early, but Defense Delivers

Monona Grove wasted little time showing its explosiveness.

On the Silver Eagles' first offensive play, Zukowski broke free down the right sideline for a 50-yard run, reaching the Marshfield 26-yard line. Deangelo "D'Lo" Clay added a short gain, and another 12-yard run by Zukowski moved MG deeper into Tigers territory.

However, penalties wiped out a potential touchdown and stalled the opening possession. Facing fourth-and-goal from deep in Marshfield territory, Zukowski delivered a perfectly placed punt that Diego Adame downed inside the Tigers' 1-yard line.

Marshfield responded with an impressive drive of its own.

Sophomore quarterback Ethan Foemmel showed why he has been one of central Wisconsin's most productive young passers, repeatedly finding receivers on quick throws as the Tigers worked their way downfield.

Marshfield marched the length of the field and threatened to score before MG's defense produced the game's first major turning point.

With the Tigers facing third-and-goal, Gavin Weiss got his hands on Foemmel's pass, tipping the football into the air. Hunter Meyer reacted immediately, intercepting the deflection in the end zone with 4:52 remaining in the first quarter.

It was a huge defensive play that erased Marshfield's scoring opportunity.

Monona Grove's next possession included a completion from Zukowski to Carson Schoenherr, but the Tigers' defense held and forced another punt.

On Marshfield's ensuing possession, senior Jay Hurley delivered an excellent tackle for loss, putting the Tigers behind schedule. Marshfield managed to convert a third-and-long with a screen pass, however, and the first quarter ended with the game still scoreless.

Liam Maday Leads Another Defensive Stand

Marshfield continued to challenge MG early in the second quarter.

Senior running back Josh Taylor, coming off a four-touchdown performance in Marshfield's opening-round playoff win, broke free for a long run that gave the Tigers first-and-goal at the MG 7-yard line.

Once again, the Silver Eagles tightened up near their own end zone.

Clay delivered an important tackle for loss, helping force the Tigers into a 30-yard field goal attempt. The kick missed with 8:46 remaining, keeping the game scoreless.

A 35-yard run by Zukowski sparked MG's next possession, but the Silver Eagles were eventually forced to punt. Hans Haffele handled the kicking duties, sending the ball to the Marshfield 26-yard line.

The Tigers threatened again on their next possession, but Liam Maday stepped up with one of the most impressive individual defensive stretches of the first half.

Maday made three consecutive tackles, repeatedly closing in on Marshfield ball carriers and preventing the Tigers from extending their gains. His back-to-back-to-back stops helped bring up fourth-and-5 with just over two minutes remaining.

Marshfield elected to go for it, attempting a pass toward the end zone. Meyer was there again, getting a hand on the football and breaking up the pass to give MG possession.

It was another outstanding stand by the Silver Eagles' defense, with Maday and Meyer delivering the key plays to keep Marshfield off the scoreboard.

An Incredible Final 50 Seconds of the First Half

After nearly 22 minutes of scoreless football, Monona Grove finally found its offensive rhythm.

With the clock winding down in the first half, a 15-yard run by Zukowski sparked the offense. Zukowski then connected with Diego Adame for a 15-yard reception, followed by a 12-yard completion to Carson Schoenherr to move the Silver Eagles deeper into Marshfield territory.

Nic Busalacchi followed with one of the best catches of the night, making an outstanding grab on a 15-yard pass from Zukowski to continue the drive.

The passing attack had Marshfield on its heels, and Schoenherr finished the possession with a powerful 14-yard touchdown run, blasting through the Tigers' defense with 50 seconds remaining.

Haffele converted the extra point, giving MG a 7–0 lead.

The Silver Eagles weren't finished.

On Marshfield's very next offensive play, Zukowski made a huge contribution on defense, intercepting a pass near midfield and returning it all the way to the Tigers' 2-yard line.

A facemask penalty moved the football even closer to the goal line.

Clay took care of the rest, powering into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown with 31 seconds remaining.

Haffele added the extra point, and suddenly Monona Grove had turned a scoreless game into a 14–0 advantage in just 19 seconds.

Marshfield refused to go away quietly.

Taylor broke loose for a 66-yard gain that moved the Tigers deep into MG territory. With only seconds remaining, Foemmel scrambled backward under pressure before somehow finding a receiver in the end zone for an unlikely touchdown with three seconds left.

The score trimmed MG's advantage to 14–7 at halftime and gave Marshfield some momentum heading into the break.

"We were all on a high for sure," Zukowski acknowledged in his postgame interview, explaining that the team needed to regroup after surrendering the late touchdown.

Despite taking a seven-point advantage into the locker room, the Silver Eagles knew they needed a stronger second half.

MG Responds With a Dominant Third Quarter

The Silver Eagles returned to the field with a renewed sense of urgency.

"It was just a sense of urgency," Zukowski told Janik. "We knew we had to change a little something up and that's what we did."

The defense immediately set the tone.

Cal Bennett and D'Lo Clay combined for a sack that pushed Marshfield into third-and-20 with 7:05 remaining in the third quarter. The Tigers couldn't recover and were forced to punt.

MG took advantage of the opportunity.

Zukowski connected with Schoenherr, who turned the reception into a long gain that carried the Silver Eagles all the way to the Marshfield 14-yard line.

Busalacchi added another reception on a screen pass before Zukowski finished the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run.

One of the biggest contributions on the scoring play came from Henry Parrott, who delivered excellent downfield blocking to help clear the path into the end zone.

The extra point was partially blocked, but MG had extended its lead to 20–7 with 4:15 remaining in the third quarter.

The defense immediately went back to work.

Clay took over Marshfield's next possession, pressuring Foemmel deep in Tigers territory before making another tackle for loss on third-and-long. His disruptive play helped force another punt, giving MG possession at the Marshfield 41 with 2:36 remaining.

This time, Parrott made his impact as a receiver.

The senior hauled in a huge completion from Zukowski that carried the Silver Eagles all the way to the Marshfield 2-yard line.

On the next play, Zukowski ran into the end zone for his second rushing touchdown of the quarter.

Haffele added the extra point, and Monona Grove had opened a commanding 27–7 lead.

The third quarter showcased the Silver Eagles' ability to generate big plays on both sides of the football. Bennett and Clay helped shut down Marshfield possessions, while Schoenherr, Busalacchi and Parrott contributed to an offense that scored twice, with Zukowski finishing both drives on the ground.

MG had found the separation it needed.

Cole Kessenich Shines as Marshfield Attempts a Comeback

Despite trailing by 20 points, Marshfield continued to battle.

Foemmel leaned on his passing game to move the Tigers downfield, but Cole Kessenich delivered one of the most impressive defensive stretches of the second half.

Much like Maday had done earlier in the game, Kessenich made three consecutive tackles, repeatedly finding the football and making plays against Marshfield's offense.

Two of those stops were particularly impressive because of how quickly he recognized the Tigers' screen passes.

On one play, Kessenich immediately diagnosed the screen, closed on the receiver and made the tackle before Marshfield could turn the play into a larger gain.

On another, he read the developing screen and made an outstanding tackle against Taylor, the Tigers' powerful senior running back.

His three-tackle sequence was another excellent example of MG defenders stepping up individually during important moments.

Clay also continued to apply pressure on Foemmel as the Tigers worked their way downfield.

Marshfield eventually reached the MG 2-yard line, and Taylor finished the possession with a short touchdown run with 10:25 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The extra point brought Marshfield within 27–14.

The Tigers had life, but Monona Grove was about to deliver its most important offensive possession of the second half.

Schoenherr and the Running Game Put Marshfield Away

With just over 10 minutes remaining and Marshfield attempting to mount a comeback, Monona Grove responded with a methodical scoring drive that demonstrated its ability to control a game when it mattered most.

The possession began with a completion from Zukowski to Kai Fowler, bringing another MG playmaker into the offensive effort.

The Silver Eagles soon faced a crucial fourth-and-short at their own 39-yard line with 8:09 remaining.

Rather than punt, Monona Grove kept its offense on the field.

Zukowski took the snap, powered forward and picked up the first down, keeping the drive alive and the clock moving.

MG continued advancing, combining its rushing attack with disciplined execution. Head coach Brandon Beckwith called a timeout with 6:50 remaining as the Silver Eagles worked deeper into Marshfield territory.

Another run by Zukowski converted a first down, and Schoenherr took over much of the work down the stretch.

The junior running back carried the football with authority, picking up nine yards on one run before continuing to punish Marshfield's defense.

With 3:49 remaining, Schoenherr capped the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run, breaking through the Tigers' defense for his second score of the night.

Haffele's extra point made it 34–14, effectively putting the game out of reach.

It was a fitting finish for an MG offense that had started the night with explosive runs but needed patience, physicality and execution to eventually put Marshfield away.

The drive also demonstrated Monona Grove's ability to respond when an opponent threatened to get back into the game.

As Zukowski explained afterward, the Silver Eagles had expected a difficult playoff matchup against a talented Marshfield team.

"We just got our stuff together," he told Janik.

A Complete Team Victory

While the final score showed a comfortable 20-point victory, Marshfield challenged Monona Grove more than most opponents this season. The Silver Eagles responded with contributions throughout the lineup.

Defensively, Hunter Meyer delivered an end-zone interception and critical pass breakup, while Gavin Weiss helped create the first turnover. D'Lo Clay was disruptive throughout, combining with Cal Bennett for a sack and making several tackles for loss. Jay Hurley, Liam Maday and Cole Kessenich also delivered important defensive stops.

Offensively, Carson Schoenherr scored twice and contributed key receptions, while Jaxon Zukowski added two rushing touchdowns, several explosive runs and a momentum-changing interception. Henry Parrott provided a big reception and excellent downfield blocking, while Diego Adame, Nic Busalacchi and Kai Fowler contributed in the passing game.

MG's offensive line helped establish the running game and sustain the decisive fourth-quarter drive. Hans Haffele converted four extra points, while special teams also contributed valuable field position.

What stood out most was Monona Grove's depth and ability to respond under pressure. Against a talented Marshfield team, the Silver Eagles had playmakers across the roster step up when they were needed most.

Next Up: Grafton Comes to Monona Grove for Level 3

With the victory, Monona Grove advances to Level 3 of the WIAA Division 2 playoffs for the second consecutive season.

The Silver Eagles will host Grafton, which pulled off a 14–13 upset of No. 2 seed Elkhorn in its Level 2 matchup.

The winner will advance to the state semifinals, putting Monona Grove one victory away from reaching Level 4.

For a program seeking its first trip to Camp Randall Stadium in 10 years, the opportunity continues to grow.

Following the victory, the Silver Eagles gathered together with a rallying cry that reflected the team's aspirations:

"Let's make history."

After a season filled with dominant victories, Friday night offered another example of what makes this Silver Eagles team dangerous. When the competition gets tougher, MG has players across its roster capable of stepping up and making a difference.

Now, with another home playoff game ahead, the Silver Eagles have an opportunity to take another step toward that goal.

Final: Monona Grove 34, Marshfield 14. On to Level 3!

A special thank you to Lori Dahl Photography for capturing the moments, emotions, and excitement of Monona Grove football and sharing those images with our community.

Cottage Grove, WI | loridahlphotography@gmail.com