NEW RICHMOND, Wis. – After watching New Richmond snap its 18-game winning streak earlier this season, Rice Lake exacted sweet revenge Friday night, winning 28-6 in a WIAA Division 2 state quarterfinal rematch at New Richmond High School.

The Warriors, who won the Division 3 state title a year ago, moved up in class this year and was the top-ranked team in the state when New Richmond came to town for a homecoming clash back in September. The Tigers rallied from nine points down in the fourth quarter to secure a one-point win, handing Rice Lake its first loss in more than a calendar year.

There would be no comeback this time.

Rice Lake wore down the New Richmond defense, which allowed the fewest points in the Big Rivers Conference during the regular season. The Warriors overcame a pair of turnovers in Tigers territory, getting touchdown runs from quarterback Jakub Kunz in the second half to pull away.

New Richmond’s Joe Hoeppner scored on a 64-yard run on the Tigers’ first play from scrimmage to give the home team an early 6-0 lead. Rice Lake responded later in the first quarter, as Connor Durand ran one in from 23 yards out. Both teams missed their extra points and went into the half tied 6-all.

Midway through the third, Kunz used his arm to put the Warriors in position, connecting on passes of 14 and 31 yards to put Rice Lake in business inside the 5-yard line. Two plays later, he scored on a sneak from a yard out to give his team its first lead of the game.

Early in the fourth, Kunz converted a 3rd and goal from the 13, running right up the gut to extend the Rice Lake lead to two possessions.

The Warriors defense did the rest, locking down New Richmond’s top-ranked offense and closing out the final margin with a pick six with under three minutes to play, ending any hope of another Tiger comeback.

Lucas Peters led the Rice Lake ground attack, rushing 20 times for 110 yards. Durand added 61 yards on 13 carries.

Rice Lake, ranked No. 4 in the state, will play the winner of Kaukauna and West De Pere in a state semifinal matchup next Friday night with a trip to Camp Randall Stadium in Madison and a spot in the Division 2 championship game on the line.

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