RIVER FALLS — UWRF football continued its bracket annihilation in the NCAA Division III playoffs, crushing St. John’s 42-14 to make the quarterfinals of the playoffs. The opening drive was not what the Falcons are used to, though, with senior star quarterback Kaleb Blaha’s pass being intercepted on just the third play of the game, taking St. John’s inside the 5-yard-line.

The Johnnies had no problem punching it in for the game’s opening score.

“It was one of those days where it was hard early,” Head Coach Matt Walker said. “We’ve hit almost every throw early in every game, big throw, and gotten out to big leads in almost every big game this year. I was not concerned, but wondering how we’d react if we didn’t get off to such a hot start… I said ‘I guess I’m getting what I was curious about.’”

Not only did Walker get what he wished for, he got his desired outcome along with it.

“Obviously that’s not what I wanted to happen, but it’s like, can’t do anything about it from then on. It’s like how are you going to respond,” Blaha said after the interception.

Blaha found Austin Rush over the middle for a 6-yard score to tie the game at seven with 10 minutes to play in the first. River Falls got one more first half score when Elmwood native Trevor Asher powered his way in on the goal line in the second quarter’s opening minute.

The Falcon defense stood tall early, making a few stops while the offense was still feeling out the game. Both squads met a formidable defense that took the scoreline into the half at 14-7.

River Falls hit its stride out of the locker room, scoring on a 16-yard pass from Blaha to Blake Rohrer midway through the third. On the next St. John’s drive, River Falls’ Nick Wasko jumped a route for an interception and took it all the way to the house. Blaha said Wasko dealt with a hamstring injury ahead of the year. All year long, he has taken every measure possible to get and stay on the field.

“He could have easily gave up,” Blaha said. “I know what it’s like to deal with injury. He could have just stopped right there, but no, he’s always in the weight room. He was doing whatever he could to get back on the field. As he was running down, I was thinking about that. I was like, you get rewarded for going through tough times and keep going.”

The rest of the game was spent by the Falcons sealing a win, with Blaha completing a 38-yard score to Jaylen Reed who celebrated with an electric back handspring. Blaha powered in a 1-yard touchdown for good measure.

“We do our best to just get the offense the ball as much as possible because the more they have the ball, the more they’re going to score,” senior defensive lineman Jack Olson out of Prescott, who recorded a sack in the win, said.

Blaha tossed for 245 yards and three touchdowns to go with 97 rushing yards and a score. He does not play favorites, throwing five touchdowns to five different receivers a week ago and three to three different receivers Saturday. Walker said the St. John’s front was big and talented, forcing the Falcons’ hand to send Blaha out for more physical runs than they would have liked, carrying the ball 26 times.

“I don’t want to get in trouble, but if he doesn’t get [the Gagliardi Trophy], I don’t know what is going on,” Walker said of the Division III most outstanding player award race. “Someone is not watching very close if he doesn’t get it.”

This run has been a special one for a River Falls team making school history. Everyone on the squad is doing everything in their power to keep the season alive.

“Playing in the WIAC, all our conference games, they’re tough. Every team we play is good,” Olson said. “Making it this far and doing stuff that’s never been done around here, you can’t really put words to it.”

The magic extends far beyond the play on the field, as the fans have taken notice. About 3,200 fans were at the big game. Olson said every time he goes to the grocery store or is on campus, someone is always there to wish him luck. With Walker in attendance at the River Falls Wildcat girls basketball win over Menomonie during the week, fans chanted “Let’s go Falcons” to wish the team luck.

Eight teams remain, and River Falls is set to take on Wheaton College at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Falcons would host playoff matchups all the way to the title game as long as they continue to win.