OCONOMOWOC — Everything was set up for a night Middleton’s football team would never forget.
The Cardinals were playing their best ball of the year. They were healthy and had a sense of belief.
And perhaps most importantly, Oconomowoc standout quarterback Canton Larson was sidelined for the teams’ WIAA Division 1 Level 2 playoff game last Friday.
So after Middleton exited with a 27-24 loss to the Racoons, many of the Cardinals were admittedly stunned at what had just transpired.
“If you would have told me Tuesday or Wednesday they weren’t going to have (Larson), I would have thought it might be an easier game,” Middleton senior wideout Derek Rongstad said.
Middleton finished the year 8-3, while Oconomowoc improved to 11-0 and reached the third round of the playoffs for the first time since 1987.
Like Rongstad, senior right tackle Hayden Acker was stunned the year ended when it did.