Baraboo 8th Grade Falls Narrowly to Onalaska in Football

In a closely contested battle at Flambeau Field at Beryl Newman Stadium, the Baraboo Thunderbirds faced off against the Onalaska Hilltoppers in their fourth regular-season contest of the 8th Grade Jack Young Middle School Football season on October 6, 2025. Despite leading for most of the game, the Thunderbirds were overtaken late, concluding with a final score of Onalaska 20, Baraboo 18. The game began on a cool and rainy day in Baraboo, Wisconsin, setting the stage for a dramatic encounter. By halftime, the Thunderbirds had secured a 12-6 lead, thanks to an impressive interception returned for a touchdown by safety Myles Motz. Baraboo's offense also saw key contributions from wingback Myles Motz and fullback Connor Shimon, who each added a touchdown run. Quarterbacks Hudson Schultz and Peyton Marz executed multiple successful play action passes, boosting the team’s performance. In the game's critical moments, Baraboo maintained an 18-6 lead entering the fourth quarter. However, as the quarter progressed, stalled drives and a strategic offensive push from Onalaska, including deep throws and wide receiver screens, allowed the Hilltoppers to close the gap and eventually take a late lead of 20-18 with just under two minutes left in the game. With all 3 timeouts in hand and executed perfectly in their last-minute offensive effort Baraboo was unable to regain the lead before time expired. Defensively, Baraboo shined with tremendous tackles from Myles Motz and Connor Shimon, and the offensive line consistently provided solid protection, ensuring a stable center to quarterback exchange with no fumbled snaps. Looking ahead, the Thunderbirds, currently holding a record of 0-3, will next face the Sparta Spartans on October 14, 2025, in Sparta, Wisconsin at Meadowview Middle School. The team hopes to secure their first win of the season in this upcoming challenge.