Hodag Highlights: Playoff hopes dim after 42-12 Homecoming loss to Medford

The Rhinelander High School football team’s postseason aspirations took a serious blow Friday night as the Medford Raiders rolled to a 42-12 victory at Mike Webster Stadium, turning a celebratory homecoming into a rout.
With playoff positioning on the line for both teams, Medford dominated from the opening kickoff. The Raiders scored on four consecutive first-half possessions to build a commanding 30-0 halftime advantage, effectively putting the game out of reach before the Hodags could establish any momentum. Medford added another touchdown early in the third quarter, triggering the running clock and underscoring the lopsided nature of the contest.
Rhinelander showed signs of life in the fourth quarter, preventing the shutout with a pair of late touchdowns. Ben Olson punched in a 7-yard scoring run, and Evan Shoeder hauled in a 15-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Abe Gretzinger. Rowan Wiczek finished with a team-high six receptions for 58 yards. The loss leaves the Hodags facing a must-win scenario heading into their regular-season finale Friday at Merrill. Without a victory, Rhinelander’s season will come to an end.