MFL MarMac's playoff run ends at Wilton

Following Friday’s loss at Wilton, the MFL MarMac senior football players posed with the state participation trophy. Pictured (left to right) are Parker Kuehl, Ben Krambeer, Averey Thornton, Brock Hackett, Keith Anderson, Quinn McGeough, Carter Stoddard, Aiden Schoulte, Carter Streicher, Austin Schaller, Brayden Gordon and Kade Humble. (Photos by Audrey Posten)

Tight end Hunter Christofferson blocks for one of his Bulldog teammates in last week's loss at Wilton.

Averey Thornton (69) and Brayden Gordon (54) pave the way for running back Eli Hanson.

Parker Kuehl scored MFL MarMac's only touchdown against the Beavers.

MFL MarMac quarterback Carter Stoddard searches for a target in the Nov. 1 loss at Wilton.
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
The MFL MarMac football team’s 2024 playoff run concluded Nov. 1, in a 40-14 Class 1A second round loss at Wilton.
“It got away from us at the end,” said head coach Dan Anderson. “It didn’t feel like we were out of the game until the fourth quarter.”
Wilton put the first points on the board part-way through the first quarter, to go up 7-0, then looked to capitalize when a lengthy Bulldog drive stalled out at the Beaver 38 yard line. But MFL MarMac recovered a fumble to get the ball right back. Ben Krambeer aced a field goal with 7:15 left in the half to trim the lead to 7-3.
The Beavers scored again just before the five-minute mark, and Krambeer responded with another field goal ahead of halftime for a 14-6 score.
“The first half, with time of possession, we did what we wanted,” Anderson said. “We didn’t finish a couple drives there in the first half, but at halftime it was 14-6. Still in the game.”
Wilton was relentless, though, scoring passing touchdowns late in the third quarter and early in the fourth. Both extra points were unsuccessful, giving the Beavers a 26-6 advantage.
“What broke the back there was when they caught a touchdown pass on the sidelines. We had good coverage. The kid out-jumped us and caught it,” Anderson said.
The Beavers punched the ball into the end zone again with 7:30 left in the game, now going up 33-6.
The deficit took the Bulldogs out of their game plan, according to Anderson.
“We got down a couple scores and had to start going for it. There were a couple times where we went for it on fourth down and didn’t get it by inches,” he said.
MFL MarMac scored its first touchdown with 6:15 remaining, on a 59-yard reception from quarterback Carter Stoddard to receiver Parker Kuehl. Brayden Gordon completed a two-point conversion to close the gap to 33-14.
Wilton wasn’t done scoring, however, reaching the end zone once more late in the fourth quarter, sealing the 40-14 victory.
The Beavers had a balanced offensive attack, with 121 yards and a pair of touchdowns through the air, then 253 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
The Bulldogs totaled 245 rushing yards of their own, including 195 from fullback Quinn McGeough, who carried the ball 33 times. Eli Hanson earned 27 yards on 10 touches, and Kuehl netted 14 yards on four carries. Kuehl also caught two passes—including the touchdown—for 69 yards.
Quarterback Stoddard threw for 88 yards while completing four of 14 attempts.
Kuehl and Keith Anderson each led the MFL MarMac defense with 4.5 total tackles, while Austin Schaller and Koda Warrington both had 4. Hanson and Brock Hackett came in with 3.5 tackles and McGeough and Stoddard finished with 3.
Anderson was proud of his team’s effort—in this game and throughout the season. The Bulldogs finished 7-3 overall and second in the district.
“These guys proved we could still play good football, even with all the new faces in there. Got us back to the second round of the playoffs,” he said. “I’m proud of all of them. They’re great kids. After football, they’re going to be great young men in the community. They’re the kind of kids you want to coach and want to come through your program.”
The coach will especially miss the seniors. This includes his own son, Keith. Two assistant coaches, Adrian McGeough and Paul Gordon, also had senior sons.
“The seniors, I’m going to miss them, obviously. They won a lot of football for us over the years. They play well together, are smart and tough and execute our game plan. They’ve got four trophies in the trophy case that they were a part of. They’ve got a lot to be proud of,” he said. “To coach our own sons, it’s a little more emotional because of that. Not because we lost, but that it’s done. We won’t be able to coach our kids anymore.”
Now, said Anderson, “It’s on to the next thing. We’ll take a few days off and get back into the weight room with the younger guys.”