The fourth-ranked UW-La Crosse football team has already secured a bid to the Division III playoffs and, at least, a share of the WIAC championship — their second in a row and 35th in school history.
Beyond making sure the first round game is at Roger Harring Stadium, this Saturday’s contest at UW-Stevens Point is about making sure they own the championship to themselves.
LISTEN: UW-L at UW-Stevens Point on WKTY begins with pregame at 12:45 p.m. Tune in on 96.7 FM / 580 AM or wktysports.com and the WKTY app. Drew Kelly and Terry Erickson are on the call.
The Eagles (8-1, 6-0) used a blocked kick by senior Jack Kelly as time expired to defeat UW-River Falls 31-28 last week. UW-L coach Matt Janus says the success his team has had is more impressive because of the injuries it’s sustained.
“Our team is very young,” Janus said. “It’s been so fun to watch this group because the next guy just steps up. In some positions we’re on our fourth player compared to how we started the year.”
The Eagles have won five of six WIAC games by just one possession. Their lone loss came 28-21 against then No. 6 Hardin-Simmons back on Sept. 9.
With his team finding ways to win, Janus admits it would be more satisfying going through the gauntlet of the conference season undefeated.
“The feeling last week after the win was, ‘OK, we’re in the playoffs now,'” Janus said. “Now this week, it’s about winning a conference championship and being the only ones to have it. Sure as heck I’m not sharing that with Whitewater. I’m not doing that again.”
UW-L would share the conference title of it loses to the Pointers, while No. 5 UW-Whitewater wins at home against UW-Eau Claire (2-7, 1-5). The Eagles hold the tiebreaker having beaten the Warhawks.
UW-SP (1-8, 0-6) is giving up over 56 points per game on the season. Janus said he hopes that means big plays in the passing game.
“We have to get some explosive plays,” Janus said. “We have to be looking to go over the top and find ways to push the ball down the field.”