Photo Credit - Manitowoc Lutheran High School
The WIAA 11-man high school football playoffs have reached the sectional final.
The Manitowoc Lutheran football team reached the Division Six semifinals a year ago only to have their dream of playing for a state championship come up short against eventual state champion Darlington.
This has been a collective burr in the Lancers’ saddle ever since that can be somewhat “smoothed over” with a victory tonight as they welcome the Lancers of Kenosha St. Joesph’s to Coach Heidrich Field for a Division Six Sectional Final (Level Three) playoff football game.
Manitowoc Lutheran has had a glorious run over the past two and a half seasons, having won 28 of their last 30 games, which includes 18 straight Big East Conference wins and back-to-back conference titles (2025 and 2026).
A lot of sweat equity has been put in behind the scenes, to where there was doubt if there would be a program after the 2017 season.
After the decision was made to move forward in 2018, doors were literally knocked on to get kids to come out for the program. Enough came out to sustain it, but they certainly took their lumps.
A breakthrough moment came midway through the 2024 season following a midseason loss to Hustisford that dropped the Lancers’ record to 1 and 4.
A players-only meeting was called, with the consensus agreeing that the way they were playing was no longer acceptable.
They were able to rally and qualified for the playoffs, defeating Reedsville in round one before falling to the eventual state champion Lomira in round two.
To a man, that game against the Lions proved that they can not only play with but be one of the best if they just “stayed the course.”
The Lancers have done that and then some.
They now have 72 players in the program and a fervent community named “Lancer Nation” that has stuck with them through “thick and thin.”
Head Coach Ryan Hulse tells SeehaferNews.com that all the growing pains to get to this point have been well worth it.
“Being able to get those numbers is simply a blessing,” he admitted. “I just want to have the kids and everyone in the school and who’s associated with the program to just have fun with it. If we do that, then more people will want to be a part of it.”
Tonight they take on the Lancers of Kenosha St. Joseph’s, who come to town with a 9 and 2 record following a 28 to 21 victory over Cuba City in Level Two.
They are led by senior quarterback Christopher Kenesie, who has accounted for nearly 2,000 yards from scrimmage (1,047 passing and 919 rushing) and 28 touchdowns.
Hulse knows that they are going to have their hands full.
“They are very athletic and have a dynamic quarterback,” he explained. “We’ll have to focus and try to contain him as much as possible. If we play our way, we’ll give ourselves a chance to win. I feel happy for the boys that they’ll be able to participate in a game and atmosphere like this.”
Sophomores Tar’vyon Booker and Tommy Kelly have also had great years, accounting for over a combined 1,300 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns, with Booker reaching the endzone a team-leading 17 times.
But the Lancers’ outstanding defense awaits.
They have surrendered a grand total of 31 points in 11 games and have pitched nine shutouts.
Hulse says those numbers are hard to ignore.
“You can’t deny how good our defense is,” he put it bluntly. “If we can start the game this way (playing defense), we feel we can set the tone for the evening and put it in the minds of our opponent that you’ll have to deal with us all night long.”
The winner plays either Mondovi or Regis (Eau Claire) in a Division Six state semifinal next Friday night at a site yet to be determined.
The “all Lancer” battle will air on 98.9 FM WOMT 100 and WOMTRadio.com with coverage beginning at 6:40 p.m.
Also in Division Six, Cedar Grove-Belgium ventures up to Bonduel to battle the Bears. In Division Seven, Hilbert travels to Coleman.
Division Four matchups have top-ranked Freedom hosting Northwestern and Wrightstown going to Little Chute to play the Mustangs.
In Division Three, Plymouth plays at Port Washington, and Fox Valley Lutheran of Appleton has a long bus ride to La Crosse Logan.
In Division Two, Kingston Allen and the Notre Dame Academy Tritons host FRCC foe Pulaski.
And in Division One, West De Pere entertains Hudson, while Bay Port is home for Waunakee.
All games are scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m.
