By John Raffel
MaxPreps.com
Kimberly has won 27 straight football games and Jayme Wells can take a bow for his playoff performances that has his team one win away from a second straight 14-0 Division 2 state championship season.
“We've got an exceptional senior class that was an intregal part of what we did last year in our success as juniors,” head coach Steve Jorgensen said. “Now they're seniors. So we have a veteran group that's playing very good defense of late. In the playoffs, we've only given up one score with our starters in the game.
“Offense has been real consistent with Jayme Wells being a big contributor as a wide receiver and a running back for us. He's had a good run in the playoffs right now. It's been a real team effort.”
Wells, a senior, is averaging 33 yard per catch and 13 yard per carry at running back during the postseason.
“In the playoffs, he's averaging four scores a game in the four we've played,” Jorgensen said. In the playoffs, we've been making an effort to give him more touches because he is very explosive. He's a kid who has run a sub 4.4 in the 40. He's probably the fastest kid that I have coached.
Wells has been among the reasons Kimberly has had a running clock against its opponents in the first four postseason games.
“He's played very well in the first half of all four games,” Jorgensen said.
The key for Kimberly to defeat Verona in the finals is to continue playing Papermaker football.
“Like any football coach is going to say we have to limit turnovers and try to create turnovers,” Jorgensen said. “The weather the way it is now, you're going to have freezing weather. It's important we take care of the ball and try to have a short field and get scores that way. It's similar to the way we've been playing in the playoffs.”
More Football
Reedsburg's ground game has the Beavers in the Wisconsin state finals this week.
Quarterback Tyler Mazur and backs Justin Huinker and Matt Lennon helped Reedsburg (10-3) roll up 363 rushing yards en route to a 40-20 victory in a state semifinal Saturday afternoon against Edgewood.
Lennon rushed for 164 yards on 15 carries, while Mazur had 161 on 21, including three touchdowns. Huinker ran for 28 yards and had two TDs, including one on a reception.
Reedsburg coach Brian Pottinger said he entered the season confident his team could have a special season.
Mazur has been the team's leading rusher as a quarterback with more than 1,300 yards. He has also passed for more than 1,000 yards.
“He's a double threat. It's his fourth year on the varsity,” Pottinger said. “He's a three-year starter for me. You can just see the progress he's made each year and the confidence.
“We're a quick team. It's great to watch the defense play.”
Reedsburg plays Waupaca in the state title game. The winning equation will be a familiar one.
“(It) will be the same as it's been all year. We need some defensive stops. And we want to run the ball.”
State Finals Lineup
In Division 1, Arrowhead, 13-0, faces Homestead, 13-0, on Friday at Camp Randall Stadium. Also on Friday, it's Verona, 12-1, vs. Kimberly, 13-0, in Division 2 and Waupaca, 13-0, vs. Reedsburg, 10-3 in Division 3.
On Thursday, Wautoma-Faith Christian, 12-1 faces Big Foot in Division 4, Colby, 13-0 vs. Cedar Grove-Belgium, 13-0 in Division 5, Edgar, 13-0 vs. Stratford, 12-1 in Division 6 and Hilbert, 13-0 vs. Catholic Central, 13-0 in Division 7.
Volleyball
State champions crowned earlier this month included Kenosha Tremper in Division 1 led by Abby Padlock with 27 kills and 26 digs in the title match over Pius XI.
Waupon, led by Michielah Navis with 27 assists, defeated Catholic Memorial in the finals for the Division 2 crown.
Wisconsin Heights, led by Lauren Radix with 27 assists and 15 digs, beat Grantsburg for the Division 3 title.
It was Catholic Central, led by Michelle Smith with 16 digs and 14 kills, over Clayton for the Division 4 title.
