BY MIKE WARREN

EDITOR

MARSHFIELD – The Hudson Raiders converted four Marshfield turnovers into scores, and rolled to a 31-0 win over the Tigers on Aug. 17 at Hudson, to open the 2023 high school football season.  

The Tigers’ turnovers started early, when Mason Seidl fumbled at midfield on the fourth play of the game. Hudson capitalized eight plays later, on a 37-yard field goal midway through the first quarter.

After a quick three-and-out by Marshfield, the Raiders drove down inside the Tiger 10-yard line before Donny Carolfi came up with a big quarterback sack on 4th-and-1 to force a turnover on downs.

But the Tigers again went three-and-out, and gave the ball back to the Raiders at Marshfield’s 43-yard line after a punt. However, the Tigers’ defense came up with another big stop, as Owen Griesbach recorded the second Marshfield sack of the game.

After a Hudson punt, the Tigers took over at their own 17-yard line. What looked like another three-and-out by Marshfield after two short runs, a false start penalty and a blindside blitz that dropped quarterback Adam Gilbertson for a 6-yard loss, Hudson was called for roughing Tiger punter Chris Pohl, giving Marshfield an automatic first down on the personal foul infraction.

Three plays later, however, Gilbertson threw the first of three pass interceptions. The Raiders covered 48 yards in five plays and took a 10-0 lead with 7:15 remaining in the second quarter.

Punts by both teams on each of their next two possessions left the Tigers with the ball at midfield with 1:09 left in the first half. Facing a 3rd-and-1 at the Hudson 41-yard line with 28 seconds left before halftime, Gilbertson – under a heavy Hudson pass rush – put up an off-balance throw that was intercepted by Jack Lablanc at the Raiders’ 26-yard line and returned 74 yards for a touchdown with 10 seconds left in the second quarter.

Hudson essentially put the game out of reach on the opening possession of the second half. The Raiders went 74 yards on 12 plays to grab a 24-0 advantage with 8:45 left in the third quarter.

Marshfield then embarked on their best drive of the game, covering 68 yards on 10 plays, before Gilbertson threw his third interception of the game, on a jump ball in the Hudson end zone intended for Pohl.

The Raiders then covered 80 yards in 11 plays and scored with 19 seconds left in the third quarter, taking a 31-0 lead.

Marshfield missed on another scoring chance on their ensuing possession, when Keegan Fredrick missed on a 42-yard field goal attempt midway through the fourth quarter.

Hudson’s next possession stalled out after nine plays and the Tigers ran seven plays before time expired.

Gilbertson went 9-for-17 for 78 yards and three interceptions in the season opener.

Braden Anderson carried the ball nine times for 74 yards for Marshfield. Seidl had 10 carries for 20 yards. Graydon Rode picked up 36 yards on five carries, while Caleb Dennee covered 10 yards on four rushes.

Brooks Hinson hauled in six passes for 65 yards, while Pohl had two catches for 22 yards.

Marshfield plays at New Richmond on Friday, Aug. 25, followed by the Tigers’ home opener on Sept. 1 versus Wausau East. Marshfield is at D.C. Everest on Sept. 8, then back home to play Wausau West on Sept. 15. The Tigers close out the month of September on the road, at Appleton West on the 22nd and Wisconsin Rapids on the 29th.