Marshfield outlasts Oshkosh West in season opener
OSHKOSH – Make no mistake about it, no one donning that traditional royal blue was pleased about the outcome of Oshkosh West’s season-opener.
But that same contingent also knows, this is a different Wildcat squad than in recent seasons.
“I think we showed some people that Oshkosh West, we’re back on the map,” senior quarterback Ben Kohl said. “We’re not a rollover team anymore and we’re going to compete this season.”
The proof of that came Friday night.
Kohl threw for 320 yards and a pair of scores and the Wildcats never trailed until the final seconds as they fell to Marshfield, 38-31, in a high-octane shootout on J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.
Marshfield’s Andy Goettl scored on an 18-yard touchdown run with 15 seconds left to break a 31-31 tie and keep West from winning its season opener for the first time since 2014.
“It was an exciting game, but I don’t want to say it was a success in any way because we lost the football game and nobody wants to win more than I do,” West head coach Ken Levine said. “But it was a great learning experience for our kids because they saw they can compete with a playoff caliber football team so we are looking for things to come.”
The Wildcats scored on the opening possession of the game but was never able to stretch the advantage as Marshfield tied the game five different times.
Kohl’s 13-yard scoring strike to Drew McEnroe less than a minute into the fourth quarter broke a 24-24 tie and came on a play the senior quarterback called on the field. With Marshfield in tight coverage, McEnroe came off the line and made a sharp cut toward the end zone where Kohl hit him for the score.
“I just saw they were tight in press coverage and I knew Drew could make a play,” Kohl said. “So I got him the ball.”
Levine said that it isn’t uncommon for his players to suggest plays and points to the knowledge that his team has in the team’s offensive philosophy.
“The kids understand what should happen out there and they are making some of the play calls,” Levine said. “The kids have great suggestions.”
The touchdown pass gave West a 31-24 lead and the Wildcats thwarted the Tigers’ next possession when Michael Johnson drilled Marshfield quarterback Ryan Krueger as he was attempting a throw and the ball fluttered into the hands of Blake Framke for an interception.
Marshfield answered on its next possession, tying the game on a 20-yard pass from Krueger to Caden Pearce with less than four minutes to play.
The Wildcats picked up a first down on the ensuing possession but three straight incompletions forced a West punt and Marshfield – after a strong return from Brant Bohman – took over at its own 47-yard line.
“Our offense sputtered a little bit toward the end and they kept going,” Levine said. “I think we got a little tired.”
Marshfield took seven plays to score the go-ahead touchdown with Goettl taking the handoff on a counter play – a play that had been troubling West much of the night – and breaking free around the right side to get to the end zone.
Goettl finished with 104 yards on 14 carries and added 58 yards receiving, while Bohman paced the Marshfield offense with 186 yards rushing – including a 91-yard burst for the Tigers’ first score – and three catches for 55 yards.
Kohl finished 19-of-31 on the night, getting picked off on his final pass with eight seconds, while Derek Kroll caught five passes for 126 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.
In all, seven different Wildcats caught passes in the game as Kohl was able to spread things around against the Marshfield defense.
“We tell Ben his favorite receiver is the open receiver and he sticks to that,” Levine said. “We are able to spread it out, but our run game has to come through better than it was tonight.
“Our o-line is working their butts off, but we just have to play a little bit smarter up front. We’re going to get it.”
West totaled just 63 yards on the ground, but running back Andrew Thiele was limited to just 15 yards on 10 carries. Kohl added 48 yards on the ground, including a 15-yard scoring run late in the first half to give West a 21-14 lead, only to have Marshfield tie the game just before intermission.
Trent Krause booted a 29-yard field goal to open the scoring in the third quarter but the Tigers again came right back and tied the score.
“It was a great test and a great way to start the season,” Levine said. “Except for the final outcome.”
Marshfield 7 14 3 14 – 38
Oshkosh West 7 14 3 7 – 31
Scoring summary:
OW – Andrew Thiele, 8 run (Trent Krause kick).
MAR – Brant Bohman, 91 run (Mason Coffren kick).
OW – Derek Kroll, 61 pass from Ben Kohl (Krause kick).
MAR – Andy Goettl, 17 run (Coffren kick).
OW – Kohl, 15 run (Krause kick).
MAR – Isaac Meverden, 17 pass from Ryan Krueger (Coffren kick).
OW – FG, Krause, 29.
MAR – FG, Coffren, 18.
OW – Drew McEnroe, 13 pass from Kohl (Krause kick).
MAR – Caden Pearce, 20 pass from Krueger (Coffren kick).
MAR – Goettl, 18 run (Coffren kick).
Individual leaders:
RUSHING: MAR – Brant Bohman 13-186, Andy Goettl 14-106. OW – Ben Kohl 14-48.
PASSING: MAR – Ryan Krueger 16-23-1, 187. OW – Kohl 19-31-1, 320.
RECEIVING: MAR – Goettl 3-58, Bohman 3-55. OW – Derek Kroll 5-126, A.J. Ambroso 5-64, Andrew Thiele 4-37.
