The River Falls High School Wildcats football team improved its overall record to 3-2 for the season, including a perfect 3-0 conference record, after the 42-14 victory against La Crosse Central on Friday, Sept. 17.

The game for both RFHS and La Crosse Central had high stakes. The Wildcats went into the game with a 2-0 conference record looking to remain undefeated in Mississippi Valley Conference action. The Riverhawks entered the game with a 3-1 record and were looking to continue climbing the conference standings.

The Wildcats received the kick and had the first possession of the game and immediately began having offensive success. The RFHS Wildcats were gashing the Riverhawks’ defense with long runs and short passes. The offense marched down the field on a methodical four-minute drive that was capped off by an 18-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Vito Massa to Michael Schurman.

Less than three minutes later, the Riverhawks went for it on fourth and three from the RFHS 45-yard line. Central quarterback Mason Herlitzke threw a pass to the flat, a route that was jumped by Wildcats cornerback Wyatt Bell which forced an incompletion and a turnover on downs.

Massa and the Wildcats offense trotted back onto the field and picked up right where they had left off. The drive began near midfield and after a couple of plays, senior running back Cole Evavold broke loose for a 42-yard touchdown run to put the Wildcats up 14-0 with three minutes remaining in the first quarter.

After a one-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter to give the Wildcats a 21-0 lead, Central got on the board for the first time with a 70-yard touchdown pass from Herlitzke to Jackson Warren making the score 21-7.

The RFHS offense was just too potent for the Riverhawks to overcome. With just under

See WILDCATS, Page B-4 three minutes remaining in the first half, Massa threw a 16-yard touchdown pass, again connecting with senior wide receiver Schurman to give the Wildcats a 28-7 lead going into halftime.

The second half consisted of mostly garbage time where the Wildcats scored two more touchdowns and Central added seven more points. The final score was a 42-14 victory that kept River Falls in a tie for first place in the Mississippi Valley Conference standings with West Salem. After the game, Wildcats head coach Ryan Scherz reflected on how his team got the job done.

“It’s a good win for us, especially the way that we won,” Scherz said. “We had talked all week about taking our little things to another level because that was something that I needed to see more of if we were going to win like this and beat good teams – they did that and this is the payoff.”

Although the Wildcats’ offense put up 42 on Central, coach Scherz spoke about the success of the defense only giving up 14 points to a team that came into the Friday night game averaging nearly 30 points per game.

“Our defense and our defensive coordinator, they do an amazing job of confusing (the other team),” Scherz said. “It’s hard for the quarterback to understand on the fly what we’re doing. Their level of preparation was different this week, it was even better. I think they knew they could play better than they had and they’re growing. We’re still learning and growing and gaining experience.”

Coach Scherz stated that he spends a lot of time with his team working on the little things, trying to reach perfection in an imperfect sport. That quest for perfection has resulted in a team that statistically makes very few mistakes, is solid on offense and defense and is now in a position to win the Mississippi Valley Conference. Despite a great start to the conference schedule, Scherz isn’t getting ahead of himself.

“We want to play to our standard each and every week and get a little better, regardless of who the opponent is,” Scherz said after the blowout victory. “I’m going to let them enjoy it, but not get too high because we’ve got to go play La Crosse Logan next week.”

The Wildcats were scheduled to play La Crosse Logan this Friday at 7 p.m., but La Crosse Logan was forced to cancel the matchup. The Cats will hit the road to take on Sun Prairie instead at 7 p.m.

RFHS senior wide receiver Michael Schurman breaking tackles and reaching into the endzone for a touchdown during the Wildcats’ home football game against La Crosse Central on Friday, Sept. 17. Photo by Reagan Hoverman

RFHS quarterback Vito Massa diving over a La Crosse Central defender into the endzone for a Wildcats touchdown. In the 42-14 blowout victory, Massa accounted for three touchdowns – two through the air and one rushing. Photo by Reagan Hoverman

Quarterback Vito Massa throwing a pass to Michael Schurman for a 16-yard touchdown. Schurman and Massa connected twice on Friday night for touchdowns. Photo by Reagan Hoverman