A bad first-round draw, a rash of recent injuries and a big, bruising opponent culminated in the bittersweet end of Platteville’s successful 2011 prep football season.
    After losing a 49-21 decision and potential conference championship to SWC rival Lancaster a week ago, coach Scott Statz’s Hillmen were sent on the road for the first round of the WIAA Division 4 playoffs and drew the unfavorable match-up against 2010 D4 state runner-up Brodhead/Juda.
    Throw in the fact the Platteville was without junior tight end Mitch Fure (concussion), and starters Logan Emendorfer (left shoulder stinger), David Bast (sprained shoulder), Jacob Fischer (sprained ankle) and Josh DeYoung (strained foot ligament) were all unable to practice during the week leading up to Saturday’s first-round playoff game, the Hillmen were no match for the peaking Cardinals.
    Brodhead/Juda (8-2) rushed for 418 yards, including 285 in the first half, and seven touchdowns en route to a dominating 55-20 victory over Platteville in a first-round playoff game at Gary Larsen Field.
    The Cardinals advance to play Racine St. Catherine’s (9-1), a 24-0 winner over Kettle Morraine, in a second-round game next weekend.
    Jesse Delorme rushed for five touchdowns, including three in the first-half and two early in the third quarter as Brodhead/Juda built a 42-7 lead.
    “They took it right at us,” explained coach Statz.
    The Cardinals’ Trenton Jordan intercepted Emendorfer to end Platteville’s first two drives and give Brodhead/Juda the momentum.
    They turned the second pick into a 89-yard scoring drive that was capped by a 1-yard Delorme with 2:32 left in the opening quarter.
    After forcing a 3-and-out the Cardinals drove 72 yards in eight plays to take a 14-0 lead on another short Delorme run.
Jordan then added a 43-yard TD run a few minutes later.
    “Our game plan did not change dramatically, but I think we started to question whether we could play with them after their quick start,” said Statz.
    After beginning the season with eight straight wins, Platteville finished the year with back-to-back losses. While it’s admittedly frustrating Statz said his team should be proud of what it accomplished this year.
    “Although we did not reach all of our goals, this was a very special group to work with. As a staff, we had a ton of fun working with this group the last two years,” added Statz. “They are a great group of guys who simply lost to a better football team in the end.
    “This group of seniors didn’t win a game as freshmen. I think that speaks volumes to their improvement and investment throughout their high school careers. This group improved as much as anyone ever has and they should be very proud of that.”

WIAA Division 4 Level I Playoff
Platteville 55, Brodhead/Juda 20
(from Saturday, Oct. 22 @ Brodhead)
Platteville            0     6      7      7     -   20
Brodhead/Juda    7    21    14    13     -   55
First quarter
B/J - Delorme 1 run (Doucherty kick)
Second quarter
B/J - Delorme 3 run (Doucherty kick)
B/J - T. Jordan 43 run (Dougherty kick)
P - Dylan Tranel 14 pass from Logan Emendorfer (kick failed)
B/J - Delorme 1 run (Doucherty kick)
Third quarter
B/J - Delorme 1 run (Doucherty kick)
B/J - Delorme 3 run (Doucherty kick)
P - Brad Saunders 8 run (Firas Jadaan kick)
Fourth quarter
B/J - J. Jordan 32 pass from Earleywine (Dougherty kick)
B/J - Trotter 18 run (run failed)
P - Tranel 91 kickoff return (Jadaan kick)
Team statistics
First downs - P 9, BJ 18. Rushing - P 24-123, BJ 51-418. Passing yards - P 86, BJ 98. Passes - L 7-18-2, BJ 5-7-0. Fumbles lost - P 0, BJ 0. Penalties-yards - P 4-40, BJ 1-15.
Individual leaders
Rushing - P: Nate Fiedler 9-65; BJ: Harding 14-180, DeLorme 23-129. Passing - P: Logan Emendorfer 7-18-2, 86; BJ: Earleywine 5-7-0, 98. Receiving - P: David Bast 2-21; BJ: J. Jordan 2-52.