Catholic Memorial advances to Division 3 football semifinals

Whitefish Bay – Catholic Memorial entered Friday night's Division 3 quarterfinal football game against Whitefish Bay as underdogs. However, they emerged victorious with a 40-15 win, securing their place in the Division 3 semifinals. The Crusaders dominated the first half, scoring 17 unanswered points. Will Schmitzer started the scoring with a 34-yard touchdown, followed by a field goal and another touchdown, giving the Crusaders a 17-0 halftime lead.

Whitefish Bay responded in the third quarter, scoring a touchdown from Mace Miskel, but Catholic Memorial's defense held strong. They scored a 59-yard rushing touchdown, extending their lead to 24-7. In the fourth quarter, Ne’Vareon Flowers added a 1-yard touchdown run, and Devon Williams Jr. scored another touchdown. The Crusaders further cemented their lead with another two-point conversion.

Whitefish Bay managed to score a late touchdown and a two-point conversion, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit. Catholic Memorial's head coach, Bill Young, highlighted his team's preparation and defensive execution, praising his players for their battle-tested performance. The Crusaders faced a tough schedule, including seven Division 1 and two Division 2 opponents during the season.

Young acknowledged that playing against top-tier teams raised the bar for his team. Catholic Memorial now advances to the Division 3 semifinals, one step closer to a potential state championship appearance. Their next game is against Pewaukee on Friday, Nov. 13.