Lions hold off Watertown Luther Prep to advance to Level 2

By David Nordby

The Brillion News

Weston Schmidt scored four touchdowns, and the No. 3 Lions twice built a 14-point lead in an eventual 28-21 win against No. 6 Watertown Luther Prep in a Division 5 Level 1 playoff game on Friday night.

The win gave Brillion its first playoff victory since a 33-0 home win against Chilton on Oct. 22, 2021.

The Lions built a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter before the Phoenix even had a first down on offense. Schmidt scored a 1-yard run to cap off the first scoring drive, which included a 10-yard gain from the junior to convert a fourth-and-4.

Schmidt scored a 3-yard touchdown with 6:12 left in the second quarter to seal a drive that took more than nine minutes of game time.

Watertown tied the game early in the second half before the Lions rebuilt the lead. Schmidt rushed from six yards out for his third score of the night two plays after rushing for a 22-yard gain in the third quarter.

“Keep trying to get as many yards as I can, one yard at a time,” Schmidt said. “Just keep trucking”

Schmidt’s 57-yard score on the first play of the fourth quarter gave the Lions a 28-14 lead, which was enough to hold off the Phoenix, who cut it to a one touchdown deficit with 3:01 left in the game.

“I felt like our offensive line had a physical advantage, and at times, we really showed that,” Coach Tanner Behnke said.

The Lions will now play No. 2 Amherst, who beat No. 7 Lancaster 42-14 on Friday night.

The two teams have met in the playoffs before. Amherst beat Brillion 48-14 at home on Nov. 19, 2020.

Division 7

No. 2 Hilbert beat No. 7 Pittsville 35-8. The Wolves will play another home game on Friday, hosting No. 3 Wauzeka-Steuben/Seneca.

Also in Division 7, No. 5 Crivitz beat No. 4 Reedsville 42-27.

Complete football coverage will be featured in the Oct. 30, 2025, print edition of The Brillion News.