BY MIKE WARREN
EDITOR

MARSHFIELD — When the Edgar Wildcats face Black Hawk/Warren in the Div. 7 state football championship game on Nov. 16, they will establish a new record for the most appearances in title contests by one school in WIAA history, with 14.

The appearance will break a tie Edgar has been in with Arrowhead and Fond du Lac St. Mary’s Springs Academy. Darlington, meanwhile, has just qualified for its 13th state final, and is now in a three-way tie for 2nd place on the all-time list.

Waunakee has just made it to the school’s 12th state championship contest, and sits in 5th place.

With a Div. 6 Level 4 win over Grantsburg, the Stratford Tigers qualified for their 11th trip to Camp Randall, tying them with Lancaster. And if they can repeat as Div. 6 champs when they face Darlington Nov. 16 at 1 p.m., the Tigers would tie St. Mary’s Springs with the most state titles in WIAA history, at nine.

Springs won their titles during a span of 19 years, between 2002 and 2021. Stratford won its first state title in 1986, before winning six consecutive championships between 2003 and 2008. Their most recent state finals win came in 2022, when the Tigers defeated Mondovi for the school’s eighth championship.

Edgar and Waunakee, meanwhile, could both get to eight state championships, with wins in Madison this week.

The Wildcats face Black Hawk/Warren (IL) in the Div. 7 title game Thursday, Nov. 16 at 10 a.m. The Warriors go up against Badger in the Div. 2 championship contest Friday, Nov. 17 at 1 p.m.

Both schools are currently in a four-way tie with Kimberly and Lancaster for 3rd place all-time, with seven state championships.

Arrowhead and Homestead are tied for 7th place on the list, each with six gold balls.

Tied for 9th all-time with five titles apiece are Catholic Memorial, D.C. Everest, Menomonie, Monroe and Osseo-Fairchild.