The Rhinelander High School football team’s playoff hopes hung in the balance Friday night as they closed out the conference schedule with a 27-13 loss at Merrill, but the Hodags received good news Saturday morning when they learned they had maintained their postseason position. Entering Friday’s game sitting precariously in the 32nd and final playoff spot in the bracket, Rhinelander knew a victory would lock up their playoff berth. Despite the loss, the Hodags held their position and will travel to face top-seeded Madison Edgewood Friday night in the first round of the playoffs.
Merrill jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and never trailed, but Rhinelander battled throughout behind a strong performance from Cyrus Leisure. Leisure finished with 101 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He got the Hodags on the board with a 77-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter, cutting Merrill’s lead to 14-7.
The junior running back showed his big-play ability again on a critical fourth-and-33 situation, catching a 43-yard pass from quarterback Abe Gretzinger to keep a drive alive. The Hodags pushed the ball inside the one-yard line, and Leisure punched it in for his second touchdown with 4:59 remaining, making it 19-13.
However, Merrill responded with a touchdown and two-point conversion on their next possession with 2:05 left to seal the 27-13 victory.
Now the Hodags turn their attention to the daunting task of facing the number one seed on the road as they look to extend their season in Friday’s playoff opener.
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