MADISON, Wis. — For the first time in 26 years, a gold ball is coming home to Slinger.
The Owls capped off a perfect season (14-0) by defeating Rice Lake (11-3) in a 31-30 shootout on Friday at Camp Randall to clinch the WIAA Division 2 State Championship.
The party isn't getting started in Slinger yet... but that's because the entire town of ~7,000 was at Camp Randall to watch the Owls win their first state championship since 1998!
— Ashley Washburn (@ashleyjwashburn) November 22, 2024
Slinger finished perfect (14-0) on the season defeating Rice Lake 31-30. pic.twitter.com/XupONDHEFR
"It's unbelievable," said quarterback Michael Thiede. "This is what we've dreamt of all year, and it's awesome.
After a failed two-point conversion by Rice Lake in the fourth quarter, Slinger trailed 30-24 with 9:25 remaining in regulation.
As time ticked away, Owls linebacker Kaiden Walworth forced a pivotal fumble at Rice Lake's 34-yard line, which Landon Gehrig recovered to spark a four-play scoring drive for Slinger ultimately.
With 3:27 left on the clock, quarterback Michael Thiede kept the ball for a two-yard touchdown up the middle to give Slinger its first lead of the night, 31-30.
RELATED LINKS:
-Read our other coverage of the WIAA State Football Championships
Watch: Slinger head coach after winning the state championship
"They're just resilient. I can't say enough about these guys. That just shows you what a love between players does. I mean, when you truly love - not just a word - but you actually show it with each other, that's what you see. You come out in those close games and things seem to work out."
Thiede finished 12-of-15 through the air for 181 yards and one touchdown. He also added 48 yards on the ground and two rushing touchdowns.
"We're resilient," Thiede added. "We never give up. We never give in, and we're always fighting until the last whistle."
Along with forcing a pivotal fumble late in the fourth, Walworth also led the Owls with 11 tackles.
Slinger's last state championship came in 1998 after the Owls defeated Denmark 44-20 in the Division 3 State Championship.
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