Hilbert blows past Lourdes Academy

By David Nordby

The Brillion News

OSHKOSH - The third time was indeed the charm for Hilbert.

The No. 3 Wolves blew past No. 2 Lourdes Academy 35-6 in a Division 7 Level 2 playoff game on Friday night.

It was the third season in a row the two teams met in the playoffs, which were both narrow Knights' wins. Friday was a different story.

Hilbert recovered a fumble on the first play from scrimmage. Jack Pakala scored on a 1-yard touchdown to cap a seven-play drive a few minutes later.

Carter Stephany intercepted a pass that ended Lourdes Academy's second drive. Ezra Sevela scored from 1-yard out after a 36-yard run by Pakala.

Lourdes Academy had two turnovers and Hilbert recorded two touchdowns, and the rout was on from there.

"Just huge," Pakala said. "Just set the tone for the whole rest of the game, and we showed it."

Pakala rushed for two more touchdowns and Sevela rushed for one more.

"Oh my gosh. It's indescribable, honestly. Just someone we've obviously been trying at for years," Pakala said.

The win sets up a Level 3 meeting with No. 1 Coleman next Friday, Nov. 6. It's the first time since 2019 the Wolves will compete in the third round of the playoffs.

"They're kind of like us. They're old school football. They're going to be ground and pound," Coach Ben Krueger said. "I just think we have to play sound defensively again and just get our eyes on film and see where we have to do better."

Division 5

No. 2 Durand-Arkansaw beat No. 3 Brillion 42-14 in another meeting of a two- and three-seed on Friday night.

Also in the Eastern Wisconsin Conference, top-seeded New Glarus beat Chilton 49-0.

Complete football coverage will be printed in the Nov. 5 edition of The Brillion News.