The Spring Valley Cardinals were defeated in the conference championship game by the Boyceville Bulldogs on Friday night in Spring Valley by a score of 26-6.

The continuation of the Cardinals’ dynasty, which has been responsible for three consecutive Dunn-St. Croix Conference championships, came down to the final game of the season when the undefeated Bulldogs came to Spring Valley to play the one-loss Cardinals for all the marbles.

It was like Woodstock on the field as the game was played through a steady rain that had been going on for over a day, and parts of the field had turned into mud. The gridiron’s conditions progressively deteriorated as the game went on, although it didn’t have much effect on the game overall beyond a few fumbles early, none of which resulted in a change of possession.

Beyond the slippery ball maladies, Spring Valley was able to move the ball effectively on the first drive which featured multiple completed passes to wide receiver Kaden Robelia and some nice footwork by quarterback Wyatt Goveronski, tucking the ball and running for an important first down conversion. The heavy lifting was done between the tackles by running back Diego Schmitt, who is the consistent workhorse that fuels this Cardinal offense.

Ultimately the red birds stalled out just short of a touchdown, and they turned the ball over on downs leaving Boyceville with poor starting field position inside their own 15. The Bulldogs pushed the ball out past the 30 where they eventually ran the count full, and looking at 4^th and medium, they decided to go for it and failed.

The first quarter ended with the Cardinals driving towards the end zone and converting the first down inside Boyceville’s 20-yard line. Unfortunately, they stalled once again and turned the ball over to Boyceville on downs.

This time however, Boyceville decided to punt the ball when the Cardinals defense made a stand and pushed them into a fourth down situation. After coming so close to scoring on the previous two drives, this was the one that got the home team on the board as Schmitt pushed his way through defenders to strike first. Spring Valley missed the two-point conversion leaving the score at 6-0 with 4:41 remaining in the half.

The Bulldogs answered right back as a rush on the first play went over 40 yards downfield for what should have been a touchdown if it weren’t for Schmitt, who is not only the running back but is also second on the team in tackles, chasing him down and saving the touchdown. The Spring Valley defense couldn’t hold Boyceville out of the end zone, but they did break up the two-point attempt, keeping the game at a 6-6 tie at halftime.

Boyceville got the ball first coming out of the half with good field position from their own 42-yard line. On the second play of the drive they went vertically, and they didn’t miss, going for 58 yards and a score to take the lead 12-6 after the missed two-point conversion.

The Cardinals got the ball back, returning it out to their own 35-yard line. A loss on first down was immediately followed by a pitch to Stasiek who hit the outside, turned the corner and pushed out to the Boyceville 45 for a gain of 33.

A 4^th and 3 from the 38 ensued, and the Cards went back to the well pitching it to Stasiek, but they ultimately fell short and turned it over on downs.

A penalty pushed Boyceville back to a 1^st and 20, so they went to the air again. Forster, the Cardinals leading tackler on the season, came up big for the Cardinals as he picked the ball off and returned it all the way to the Bulldogs’ 9-yard line to give Spring Valley a 1^st and Goal opportunity.

Two consecutive plays for no gain and a missed pass resulted in a 4^th and long for the home team. Goveronski went to the air with a shot into the end zone to Robelia, but it fell incomplete resulting in another turnover on downs.

The first play of the following drive, the Bulldogs handed it off to their running back who took it 86 yards for what should’ve been a touchdown if Stasiek hadn’t flashed his speed and ran almost the entire length of the field to save the touchdown, putting Boyceville on the 3-yard line. They pushed the ball into the endzone anyways and brought the score to 18-6 after another missed two-point conversion.

On second and long, Goveronski made a poor choice and threw the ball across his body into coverage and the Bulldogs came away with the interception. The Cardinal defense came up with a big stop though, as they forced a 3 and out, and Boyceville punted.

With 2:38 left in the third quarter, the home team took over from the 26-yard line. On 3^rd and 6, Diego Schmitt came up with a good catch and a great run, managing to shake defenders and stay on his feet to get the first down. A pass interference call on the Bulldogs allowed the Cardinals to cross midfield for free with a 1^st and 10 on the 41-yard line.

A fumble backwards after a blindside hit on Goveronski resulted in Spring Valley backing up to the 49-yard line resulting in a 3^rd and 20. Thus, the quarter came to an end with the score still sitting at 18-6.

The Cardinals tried to go to the air, but there was nothing there for Goveronski and Boyceville came up with a sack resulting in a punt on 4^th and 28.

This was the last gasp for Spring Valley as the Bulldogs tacked on another score early in the fourth quarter to bring the final tally to 26-6 after a successful two-point attempt.

After winning the past three years in a row, this isn’t what the Cardinals are used to. Still, they performed very well this season, and hopes are high going into the postseason.

“We missed some opportunities tonight, and it becomes easy for the other team if we’re not executing the things we need to. We’ve just got to minimize mistakes. There were a couple instances on D where we gave up big plays, and it cost us. Take those out, and we’re right there,” Kapping said. “We’ve been to the state quarterfinals five times over the past ten years. So, we’re going to prepare like we did this week, and if we play like we did tonight for most of the moments, we’re going to be a tough out.”

If the weather wasn’t exactly pleasant for fans, the players on the field have a different opinion. Forster says this was actually a bonus for them.

“It was fun. Everyone wants to play in the rain for a conference championship, you know? Mud baths out here. It’s a memory for sure,” Forster said. “Playoffs is a new start. It’s a new season. So, we’ve just got to bounce back and pick our heads up.”

Schmitt concurs with Forster.

“It’s a once in a lifetime moment. Conference championship, muddy, raining, and it was a tough close game. Very physical, up the middle battle,” Schmitt said. “Now we have to be locked in. You can go home at any moment in the playoffs. We just can’t let up them big plays. We’ve got to stay focused and do what we can control.”

For seniors like Schmitt, losing in the playoffs isn’t just about going home, it’s the final game of their high school careers. He said they’ve had plenty of success and he has appreciated the ride.

“It was a cool experience,” Schmitt said. “This team is my family. It was a really great time, we have fun together.”