Mondovi downs Boyceville to make playoff field

by Beth Kraft

Senior Sawyer Hayes crossed the goal line with a short, three-yard run with 36 seconds left to play and the Mondovi football team broke a 14-14 tie with Boyceville to record the 22-14 victory that effectively secured the Buffaloes a spot in the playoffs.

Mondovi built a 14-0 advantage in the first half on a pair of touchdown runs by senior Garrett Kees. Boyceville found the end zone with about eight minutes to go in the third quarter to cut Mondovi’s lead to eight, then tied it up early in the fourth quarter for a deadlocked score that stood until the final minute.

Kees ran for 111 of the Buffaloes’ 205 rushing yards while Hayes added 51 yards on six carries.

Mondovi grabbed the narrow victory without senior quarterback Greg Poeschel, who left the previous week’s game with an injury.

Sophomore Dustin Dziekan and seniors Cole Kamla and Blake Purdy took over quarterbacking duties against the Bulldogs. Kamla was 1-for-1 for a 16 yard gain while Purdy completed one of two passes for 23 yards, both caught by senior Austin Fedie.

The Mondovi defense held Boyceville to 164 yards of total offense, giving the Buffaloes the chance to win the game.

Finishing up Dunn-St. Croix Conference play at 4-2 for a three-way tie for second place with Elk Mound and Durand, Mondovi (4-5 overall) made the cut for the playoff field. The Buffaloes drew the No. 8 seed in their Division 6 region.

Mondovi will hit the road this Friday, Oct. 23, to face top-seeded Abbotsford in their Level 1 playoff game. Game time is set for 7 p.m.