Grafton High School held a send-off Thursday for the football team before they left for state. It's the second team from the school into state; first it was the girls' volleyball team.

Grafton

The Grafton Blackhawks football team is set to compete in the state championship game in Madison, following a dramatic overtime victory in the semifinals. The team, which lost in the title game in 2023, is aiming to secure a perfect 14-0 season and win the coveted gold ball.

Players and families expressed pride and excitement ahead of the game, with senior quarterback Nick Schiller emphasizing the rarity of a second chance at a state title. The community held a celebratory sendoff, and many plan to attend the game to support the team.

Grafton football team heads to state

I'm Irosaki County Reporter Alex Gahl in Grafton. For the second time in just a couple weeks, the Grafton Blackhawks are sending another team to state. First it was the girls volleyball team, now it's the football team they're sending off to Madison to try and win a gold ball and go 14-0 on the season. We talked to Ginger and a couple players on this team to see how they're feeling ahead of the biggest game of the season. It's a far cry from a graduation procession. But there was still plenty of pomp and circumstance at GHS Thursday. Ginger Lee Nelson's son Jack is one of the team's running backs. It's a trip to Madison the Nelsons have made before. Grafton lost in the title game in 2023 when Jack was a freshman. We didn't give up, we didn't quit, we took it to them, we put everything on the line and we are just so proud of our guys for working so hard. Last week Grafton overcame a three touchdown fourth quarter deficit. Max Glab made the winning touchdown catch in overtime in front of his family. They sacrificed so much for us and we're willing to sacrifice everything for them. In the fast-moving world of high school athletics you don't often get a second chance at a title game. It's an opportunity senior quarterback Nick Schiller is making sure his guys don't take for granted. Why do you make sure you make the most of it and what does it mean to you to go back there? It's a once in a lifetime opportunity but for us it's kind of twice in a lifetime. I just want to go there and get the win this time. Grafton plays for the Gold Ball at 10 a.m. Friday morning. I, along with most of the village, will be waking up early so we can be there. In Grafton, Alex Gall, TMJ4 News.

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