The Rhinelander Hodags held off a late Antigo push Friday night, winning 26-20 to retain Gene Shepard’s Bell in the 92nd playing of the rivalry game. The win kept Rhinelander unbeaten in its last two games following a victory over Mosinee last week, while Antigo remained winless on the season.
Quarterback Abe Gretzinger threw four touchdown passes and finished with 264 passing yards to lead the Hodags.
The Hodags struck first in the opening quarter on a Gretzinger touchdown pass to Ryley Hull, but a missed extra point left the score 6-0.
Antigo answered with two touchdowns in the first half to take a 14-6 lead. Rhinelander responded before halftime, scoring with 40.6 seconds left in the second quarter but again missing the extra point, trailing 14-12 at the break.
The Hodags took their first lead since the opening score early in the third quarter, going up 18-14 with 6:52 remaining. Antigo answered in the fourth quarter, though a missed extra point left the Robins ahead 20-18 with 5:52 to play.
Rhinelander then drove down the field on the ensuing possession, with Gretzinger connecting with Rowan Wiczek for his fourth touchdown pass of the night — and Wiczek’s second touchdown catch. Hull hauled in the two-point conversion to put the Hodags ahead 26-20 with 2:22 remaining.
The Rhinelander defense closed out the win, holding Antigo scoreless on its final possessions as time expired.
Wiczek finished with 11 catches for 112 yards and two touchdowns. Matthew Haselton scored a touchdown and totaled 185 all-purpose yards. Hull scored the Hodags’ first touchdown of the game and added the game-clinching two-point conversion catch.
Rhinelander will take on the Tomahawk Hatchets Friday.
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