RIVER FALLS — The parking lot was at max capacity well before the game. Fans were walking from parking spots blocks away just to feast their eyes on the River Falls-Hudson football matchup Friday, playing for the coveted Little Brown Jug.

“It’s the best atmosphere that I ever coach in year after year,” Head Coach Ryan Scherz said, “especially when both teams are good football teams with good records.”

River Falls took the opening kickoff and ate up a decent chunk of the first quarter on a touchdown drive that was capped with a run up the middle from sophomore Trevor Bartlett. Hudson struck even on the following possession and got back into the red zone with a chance to take the lead, but the Wildcats got a stop in the backfield on a fourth and 10 run.

Hudson had another chance to take the lead in the red zone, and this time it was a jumped route over the middle from senior Todd Benedict for an interception.

River Falls kicked a field goal for the lead, which was then outdone by a Hudson goal line score for a 14-10 lead with seconds remaining in the half. In the second half it was all River Falls. On the second play of the half a triple option play was snuffed out as Wildcats filled the backfield allowing Thade Drier to jar the ball loose which kindly bounced into the hands of Blake Schneider who returned it to the 1-yard line.

The always steady Joseph Tarasewicz scored on the first play at the one for a 17-14 lead.

“Both sides of the ball, the kids just played really hard. They were able to handle some adversity,” Scherz said. “When Hudson made some big plays, we were able to respond, and that’s a pretty important thing if you’re going to be a good football team.”

Hudson did score quickly after for a 21-17 lead, the last score the wily Wildcat defense would allow.

An end around to Ryker O’Keefe scored from 25 yards out completely untouched thanks to phenomenal blocking. Tarasewicz scored again from the one to end the third, and in the fourth, a deep pass down the right sideline was caught by Benedict, and a nifty juke spiked the lone defender into the turf for a 38-21 lead for 75 yards on third and long.

Benedict saw some field time last year, but Scherz said it was minimal. This year, he has put himself into conversations as a player who is difficult to take off the field. He tallied five catches for 95 yards and a score, an interception and seven tackles.

“Todd’s just a great, great story. He’s developed a ton over the last year,” Scherz said. “He’s kind of that poster child for a kid that just continues to work hard, and then when his opportunity arises, he’s been critical for our football team on both sides of the ball.”

The final touchdown of the 44-21 win came on a 15-yard run from Tarasewicz. He ran for over 200 yards and three scores on the day. Hudson had won the jug two years in a row, and now it found its home for the year in the Wildcat trophy case.

“The game means a lot to the kids. Obviously we’re rivals and a couple communities that are close to each other, but I think the biggest thing is just what we’re capable of doing when we play well,” Scherz said. “When we play well, we can compete like that against anybody.”

River Falls is 5-1 on the year and heads to Rice Lake for an important matchup against the undefeated Big Rivers Conference leaders. The game will be the third game of a three-headed dragon stretch, facing top conference teams in New Richmond, Hudson and Rice Lake.

“The big thing is being able to turn the page,” Scherz said. “Last week we were able to turn the page after a loss [to New Richmond], and now we’ve got to learn how to turn the page after a victory. A win last week can’t be the focal point of our season.”