Panthers Capture Woodland Title!

Everyone knew going into this season that Greendale should be pretty good because after all... all but 9 players were returning from last year's team.  Now that the regular season is over, "pretty good" wasn't even close to describing them.  That conclusion was made as they totally dismantled the South Milwaukee Rockets who were undefeated in the Woodland East Division by a score of 41-7 at Gavinski Stadium.  This would also be the inaugural Woodland Conference Championship game that was set up by design by the conference to put the two first place teams from each division on the same field to determine who the best of the best is.  There is even a large traveling trophy that will be used that will be held by the current champion.  At the end of the day, however, South Milwaukee and Greendale both are technically conference champs in their respective divisions.  How this will be looked at in the WIAA playoff picture is not really known but then who cares.  It's all about doing what you have to do and to keep winning because now it's playoff time now and the only way you can keep going is to win. If you don't, you go home.

South Milwaukee would put an impressive opening drive that went all the way to the Panther 20 before Greendale's defense said that was far enough.  The Panthers came back and scored in 6-plays as wide out Angel Ramirez took a tap pass from quarterback Josh Ringelberg for a 28-yard score.  The kick was missed making the score 6-0 with 4:07 left in the 1st quarter.

The Panthers made a stop on defense and then came back and scored again on a 1-yard run by Ringelberg.  Running back Jake Zywicki would run the 2-point conversion in making the score 14-0 with :02 seconds left in the opening quarter.

Greendale's next score came late in the 2nd quarter when Ty Ramirez took an inside shovel pass from Ringelberg and then scampered 8-yards for Greendale's third TD of the night.  The kick was good making the score 21-0 with 2:24 left in the 1st half.

Greendale's defense was totally dominating the line of scrimmage preventing the Rockets from doing anything.  With under 2 minutes left in the half, the Panthers put a quick moving drive together that paid dividends as Ringelberg threw a center screen pass to Nate Miller who then plowed his way 22-yards for a Panther score.  The kick was good as Greendale scored 28 unanswered points with :12 seconds left in the 1 half.

It was now the 2nd half and the Panther offense wasn't through yet for on their second possession after recovering a Rocket fumble, Zywicki scored on a pitch around the left end making the score 34-0 with 8:19 left in the 3rd quarter.

After another defensive stop, Greendale put another scoring drive together that ended with Ringelberg dropping the ball in the hands of Mitchell Brees in the right corner of the end zone from 21-yards out.  The kick was made making the score 41-0 with 2:57 still left in the 3rd.  Because of the score, there would now be a running clock for the rest of the game.

Greendale put the 2nd teams in for the 4th quarter to get them some work as well.  The only South Milwaukee score came with 2:57 left in the game as quarterback Justin Oliden hooked up with Al Plewa on a 17-yard touchdown pass.  The extra point kick was good making the score 41-7.  The Panthers ran 4 more plays to end the game.

Greendale continues to impress the world as they defeated the Rockets 41-7.  Their speed on defense almost made it look like they had 18 guys on the field instead on the allowed 11.  The talent at the skill positions on offense is also amazing as everyone contributes in their own unique way.  The Panthers will now have to wait a day to see what lies ahead for them in the future.  In the mean time, they can enjoy their new piece of hardware as they are the first official Woodland Conference Champions of the new era!