By Angela Kelm
Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information
No. 10 Warhawk Football Claims Share of WIAC Title on Record Day, Punches Ticket to NCAA Playoffs | Box Score
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater trounced UW-Stevens Point 79-10 to secure a share of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title for the 39th time in program history. The Warhawks set a number of program records in the win including points in a game surpassing the previous record of 75 that had stood since 2006.
The Warhawks hold a share of the league title with UW-La Crosse but earn the conference’s automatic bid into NCAA Division III playoffs with a victory over the Eagles this season.
UW-Whitewater dominated in the first half behind a record performance on the ground for Jaylon Edmonson. His four touchdowns tie the program record for rushing TDs in a game. In addition to the points record, UWW also broke team records for rushing touchdowns (10), touchdowns (11), points after touchdowns (11). The Warhawks 523 yards rushing is just 46 shy of the program record set in 1987.
The Pointers took the opening kick, drove down and hit a 30-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead. After that, it was all UWW.
On the Warhawks’ second play from scrimmage, Edmonson went up the gut for 66 yards and his first touchdown. He scored again on his next carry, a 19-yard scamper up the middle to make it 14-3 on UWW’s next possession.
A fumble on UWSP’s punt was downed at the Pointers’ nine. Tamir Thomas was tapped for the carry and he followed Edmonson’s lead, going up the middle for a touchdown. The next drive featured a 44-yard Thomas rush to the one followed by an Edmonson punch in for his third rushing TD of the contest.
The Warhawks’ next score came through the air as Evan Lewandowski hit Tyler Holte for a 51-yard touchdown strike. The final score of the quarter came on a bad snap on a Pointer punt that went through the back of the endzone for a safety and a 37-3 UWW lead.
By halftime, the UW-Whitewater lead ballooned to 65-3.
UW-Stevens Point scored on a 33-yard pass play in the third. Preston Strasburg registered his second touchdown of the day on a 38-yard run and Alijah Maher-Parr wrapped up the scoring with a one-yard touchdown run to close out the scoring.
The Warhawks registered 644 yards of offense in the game. Makaio Harn had a phenomenal second half with 122 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. Edmonson tallied the program record four TD carries with 112 yards on five rushes. Strasburg added 107 yards on the ground and a pair of rushing touchdowns.
Lewandowski was 5-5 for 106 yards and the one passing TD. Jason Ceniti and Jackson Chryst captained the offense in the second half. Holte led the Warhawks with 84 yards on three receptions.
Defensively, Ethan Gallagher tallied eight tackles including a tackle for a loss of two yards and a quarterback hurry. Joey Antoniette posted seven tackles while Reed Farrington and Kyle Gallagher each posted sacks in the contest.
The Warhawks will find out where and who they’ll open the 2022 NCAA Division III playoffs with during the selection show Sunday evening. The first round of playoffs is scheduled for Saturday, November 19.
