MADISON, Wis. — Who needs two healthy arms to play quarterback? Not Fond du Lac Saint Mary’s Springs Academy senior Evan Henderson.
Henderson injured his left non-throwing shoulder during the second quarter of his team’s WIAA Division 6 state championship football game. Despite almost no range of motion in the arm, he remained in the game — even throwing four second-half passes — to help lead Saint Mary’s Springs to a 24-14 victory against Eau Claire Regis at Camp Randall Stadium.
"He got banged up there," Saint Mary’s Springs coach Bob Hyland said. "Probably a separated shoulder. He played with one arm the whole second half. What can you say about a kid who’s thrown two interceptions all year?"
Henderson and the rest of Saint Mary’s Springs is quite familiar with the trip to Madison in mid-November. For the senior class, it has become an annual occurrence. The Ledgers (13-0) have played for the state title in four straight seasons, and on Thursday, they won their second consecutive championship and 27th game in a row.
TURNING POINT
Saint Mary’s Springs obliterated every opponent it faced during the state playoffs, outscoring teams, 121-6, during the first half. But Regis (12-1) proved up to the task, tying the game at 14-14 on running back Hayden Frey’s 5-yard touchdown run with 1:56 remaining in the second quarter.
The tie proved short-lived.
In the span of 1 minute, 37 seconds, the Ledgers put together a 13-play, 75-yard drive. Henderson capped the drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass to receiver Ryan Grandlic, giving Saint Mary’s Springs a 21-14 lead with 17 seconds remaining in the half.
The Ledgers held the Ramblers scoreless the rest of the game.
THREE STARS
• Henderson completed 14 of 18 passes for 144 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for Saint Mary’s Springs. He also ran for the team’s first touchdown of the game. Those would be impressive stats even if he were fully healthy.
• Ledgers wide receiver Eric Feldner caught a game-high nine passes for 85 yards with a touchdown. He also punted four times for an average 40.2 yards per kick.
• The entire Saint Mary’s Springs defense earns a spot here. The Ledgers held the Ramblers to minus-9 passing yards to set the record for fewest passing yards allowed in any WIAA state championship game in history. The previous record belonged to Division 6 champion Spring Valley, which surrendered minus-6 passing yards in its 8-0 victory against Highland in 2000.
TITLE TALK
• "It was the last game. What else am I going to use it for? I had to gut it out. I told the receivers they were going to have to make some plays because balls weren’t going to be the same. And they went out and made plays for us." — Henderson on his shoulder injury.
• "Great season for us. Coming here undefeated, playing an excellent Saint Mary’s team, they deserved it. Both teams worked hard. We’re lucky to be where we are." — Frey
• "They all had their moments. They all contributed to this victory. They just know how to get it done." — Hyland
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