West De Pere uses big second half to pull away from Rice Lake

Hornets pick up first playoff win since 2018

Rice Lake's season comes to an end in Level 1

WEST DE PERE - The West De Pere football team got a big second half from its offense Saturday and made several key defensive plays in the fourth quarter to pull away from Rice Lake 35-13 in a WIAA Division 3 Level 1 playoff game at West De Pere High School.

The Hornets (7-3) trailed 13-7 at halftime, but scored touchdowns on their first three possessions of the second half to take control of the game. Rice Lake (4-6) never got closer than 11 points the rest of the way.

West De Pere quarterback Jaden Kanipes threw for 209 yards and two touchdowns, and also ran for a touchdown. Running back Carter Kriewaldt rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.

Rice Lake quarterback Caleb Sommers threw for 144 yards and one touchdown, but was also intercepted twice. Running back Brayden Warwick rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.

The Warriors took an early lead on a 3-yard touchdown run by Warwick with 7:09 left in the first quarter. The Hornets tied the game on a 1-yard touchdown run by Kanipes with 1:28 left in the first quarter.

Rice Lake regained the lead on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Sommers to Tyler Prestegard with 10:06 left in the second quarter. The Hornets cut the lead to 13-7 on a 22-yard field goal by Alex Hess with 1:28 left in the second quarter.

West De Pere took the lead for good on a 3-yard touchdown run by Kriewaldt with 9:06 left in the third quarter. The Hornets extended their lead to 28-13 on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Kanipes to Owen Weyers with 3:42 left in the third quarter.

The Hornets put the game away on a 3-yard touchdown run by Kanipes with 10:34 left in the fourth quarter.

West De Pere will host Beaver Dam in a Level 2 playoff game next Saturday.