1st Year Semi-Pro Single-Wing Team in Playoffs

1st Year Semi-Pro Single-Wing Team in Playoffs

October 15th

MENOMINEE — The Menominee Timberjacks rolled into the Wisconsin State Football League playoffs with a 26-14 win over a winless but determined Saukville Demons team Saturday night.
The Timberjacks (7-3) will play the Oostburg Rebels (7-3) in their firstround playoff Saturday at 6 p.m. at Oostburg.

The Demons (0-10) shut down the Timberjacks’ ground game Saturday night, but the T-Jacks went to the air for 262 yards and three touchdowns. Dan Ries completed 9 of 13 passes for 198 yards and two TDs, while Aric Chaltry connected on three of seven passes for 64 yards and a touchdown.

“We didn’t have a lot of success running the football, but we threw the ball very effectively,” said coach Joe Plautz.

Jim Ahrndt, who had a stellar game on both sides of the line, pulled in a 30- yard scoring pass from Ries in the first quarter. Ries found Joel Wortner for a 31-yard TD pass in the second period.

The Timberjacks countered the first Demons’ score with a 40-yard scoring bomb from Chaltry to Randy Hohender. Ries ran in the 2-point conversion to hike the lead to 20-8 in the third period.

Wortner snared a long pass to set up the Timberjacks at the 3 and Ed Demeuse bulled it in from the 1 to close the Timberjacks scoring.

Saukville added their second TD in the last minute.

“It was a sloppy and ugly win,” said Plautz. “I give (Saukville) a lot of credit. They came with 15 guys and played 60 minutes of hard-nosed football.”

Four unsportsmanlike conduct flags drew the ire of the M&M coach. “That’s something I’m very disappointed in,” he said.

Ahrndt had 15 tackles and seven solos, catches of 33, 24 and 30 yards, and he also returned an onside kick to the Saukville 5. He entered the game with a team-high 80 tackles.

“Jimmy played a great game,” said Plautz. “He’s having a heck of a year for us.”

Wortner caught six passes for 89 yards. Chaltry led the rushing game with nine carries for 48 yards. Tom Emmes collected 12 tackles, Demeuse had seven, Wortner had a sack, three tackles and he broke up a pass, and Ryan Wortner had six tackles and he broke up a pass.

The Timberjacks split with Oostburg in the regular season, winning at Oostburg and losing at Spies Field.

“There’s nothing fancy about them, they’re a smashmouth football team,” said Plautz. “We definitely have a tall task. Our defense has hung with every team we’ve played. We’re not on the map yet. Other teams say we’re a good first-year team. We know we’re better than that.”