WIAA football playoffs: Menasha on track after hitting low point in season
MENASHA – The Menasha football team's WIAA Division 3 state semifinal against Rice Lake may have never happened if it wasn't for a tough talk head coach Jeramie Korth had with his players in mid-September.
The Bluejays take on Rice Lake on Friday in Rhinelander, and Korth points to the team's 49-21 loss to West De Pere on Sept. 17, a game in which Menasha allowed 21 fourth-quarter points while committing four personal fouls.
It was the team's nadir and also provided the players the opportunity to reflect on their goals for the rest of the season.
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"That was not Menasha football," Korth said of the loss to the Phantoms. "I laid it on the line that night and I told them that there’s no way this football program was going to go down that path, so anybody who wanted to go that path get out. Get out of there and go right now. Do not come back on Monday and on Sunday night because we’re going in one direction and it’s not that direction. That was a big turning point in the season.
"We have not tolerated many things around here since our loss and I think the kids are finally realizing what it takes to win."
The Bluejays (10-2) not only got the mental part of their game on track, they've also overcome a slew of injuries. Menasha won the Fox River Classic Conference-South title and have had a solid postseason run.
"We've lost some really good football players," Korth said. "Four or five starters and none will be coming back. Unfortunately, those were season-ending injuries. But it's amazing the kids that have stepped up. Hat's off to those kids who are paying attention and putting in the time in the weight room even though they weren't sure if they were going to be starters or anything like that. I think that's just a good lesson to learn."
Menasha has won seven consecutive games since that loss while averaging 44 points a game. The team's run game is one of the best in the state and features dual-threat quarterback AJ Korth (1,194 yards passing, 17 touchdowns; 1,640 yards rushing, 23 touchdowns) and running back Davontre Smith (1,770 yards rushing, 24 touchdowns).
Offensive tackle Ashton Friedrich anchors a Menasha line that has overcome injuries while sustaining a high level of play. He said the team is "ecstatic" about being one step away from a trip to the Division 3 finals at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
"I haven't seen these guys this hyped since the Neenah game," the 6-foot-3, 245-pound senior said. "Everybody is pretty excited."
Friedrich added he and his offensive line mates are comfortable setting the tone for the prolific Menasha run game, which ranks sixth in the state (all divisions) with 334.2 rushing yards per contest.
"I would definitely say I'm a big fan of running the ball," Friedrich said. "(Davontre Smith) likes to encourage us and hype us up before we run. Every time he’ll say something like, 'O-line, you got this!'"
Rice Lake (10-2) finished in a tie for the Big Rivers Conference title with Menomonie. The Warriors are the smallest school in the conference, which has Division 1 schools Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire Memorial, Eau Claire North, Hudson and Superior along with D2 power Menomonie. Rice Lake defeated Baraboo 29-13 in last week's quarterfinal, scoring 21 points in the second half.
Christian Lindow is the team's leading rusher (861 yards, 10 touchdowns) and had 156 yards on 24 carries and a score against Baraboo.
Korth said his players are "cautiously optimistic and very confident" in their matchup with Rice Lake.
"They know that Rice Lake is a good football program and they do have some really nice athletes," Korth said "They’re scrappy and tough and lots of things that we’ve been in the past. They remind me of teams we’ve played and some teams that we’ve coached. I think these kids are excited to continue to play."
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This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: High school football: Menasha Bluejays on track after low point
