Konen kicks game-winner to send Hilbert to state semifinal

By David Nordby

The Brillion News

COLEMAN – It all came down to the right leg of senior Cashtan Konen during a wild Division 7 sectional final (Level 3) on Friday night.

That was all Hilbert needed.

Konen kicked a 25-yard field goal as time expired to bring the Wolves one step closer to the state championship game with a 25-22 win over top-seeded Coleman.

“My team just set me up for the opportunity and I had to capitalize,” Konen said.

Coleman had called timeout before Konen’s kick. Hilbert huddled and coaches told Konen it was just like the kicks he’d made in practice all season.

“It was amazing. The best feeling ever,” Konen said.

Not only was it as clutch of a kick as you can have, but it was also made more impressive by the weather. The temperature had dipped to about 34 degrees late in the game.

“My feet are really cold,” Konen said. “I just can’t feel them, but I overcame it.”

Konen’s kick capped off an improbable game where Hilbert jumped out to a 14-0 lead before Coleman scored 22 unanswered points.

The Cougars took a 22-14 lead after the defense returned two Hilbert fumbles for touchdowns on back-to-back drives in the third quarter.

Hilbert responded with a 23-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-8 from Kendrix Grenzer to Ezra Sevela and a conversion run by Jack Pakala to tie the game at 22 with 7:37 left.

Coleman’s offense only ran six plays in the second half as Hilbert held them to two three-and-outs. The second set up the final drive which put the Wolves in position to break the tie.

Coach Ben Krueger called the Wolves the most resilient team he’s ever been around. The win puts Hilbert in the state semifinal game against Iowa-Grant, who beat Ithaca/Weston 50-0.

Complete coverage of the game will be featured in the print edition of The Brillion News.