Green Bay- The Seymour Thunder (5-4 overall) clinch a playoff berth by defeating the Shawano Hawks (2-7 overall) by a final score of 30-28. 

“I love every single one of these guys, we all play for each other, and we all love each other, and I think that’s what really pushed us down the field that last drive,” said Thunder quarterback Kessler Jansen. 

Recap

The Thunder were able to jump out to an early 14-7 lead in the beginning of the second quarter off a touchdown from Shane Setliff. Setliff then was able to score his second touchdown of the quarter with 7:38 remaining to make the score 21-7. The Hawks were able to make the game 21-14 with 2:22 left in the second quarter off a touchdown from Elijah Senft. 

Early in the third quarter the Hawks were able to take their first lead of the game off Senft’s second touchdown of the game and the Hawks were able to convert the two-point conversion for the lead. With 6:57 left in the fourth quarter Greg Salzman was able to score to give the Thunder a 27-22 lead. The Hawks would respond with 1:38 left in the 4th quarter to take the lead off Senft’s third touchdown and the score became 28-27, the Hawks were unable to convert the two-point conversion. The Thunder were then able to march down the field and get into field goal range, when Kessler Jansen was then able to hit the game winning field goal with 2.5 seconds left in the game. 

“My coaches told me keep your head down and swing the leg,” said Jansen.

I talked with Thunder head coach Jeff Marsh about how the team never gave up and always had their eye on the goal of victory.

“They were not going to surrender; they wanted to fight right until the end. That says a lot about your character, when you’re having a down day on the football field and you’re still able to make things happen on the field and come away with the victory,” said Marsh.

“It’s the boys that really help each other get through those rough patches because everyone is going to make a mistake out there at some point,” said Marsh.

I talked with head coach Marsh, and we discussed some things to improve before their playoff matchup next Friday. 

“We had some uncharacteristic mistakes in play tonight which doesn’t really represent what Seymour football is all about. We’ll discuss and address those things during the week,” said Marsh.

The Seymour Thunder will await their opponent for their playoff game next week Friday, playoff matchups will be announced Saturday, Oct. 17.

The Shawano Hawks season will end with a 2-7 overall record.