MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Surreal is the one word Kimberly coach Steve Jones used to describe what his program has done the last five years after completing its fifth straight perfect season Friday night by winning the Division 1 state championship, 27-7 over Sun Prairie.
The Papermakers won their fifth straight state title, the last four coming in Division 1 after winning the 2013 title in Division 2.
Furthermore, the Papermakers have won 70 straight games, continuing to push their state-record winning streak into a territory nobody ever thought possible.
“If you would have asked me at the beginning of the year if we would be standing here, I don’t know if I would’ve believed you,” Jones said.
“Inexperienced group coming in but continued to grow, evolve, change as a group. It’s really a neat experience to see them compete at such a high level on the biggest stage.”
Kimberly (14-0) started slow against the undefeated Cardinals, falling behind, 7-0, in the first quarter after a turnover led to a short field for Sun Prairie. But eventually the Papermakers got going.
John Nett scored on a 25-yard touchdown run with 59 seconds left in the second quarter as the teams were tied 7-all at halftime.
The second half was all Kimberly.
It entered Friday having outscored opponents, 104-15, in the second half of state title games the previous four seasons and Friday it outscored the Cardinals, 20-0.
“To get those seven points up on the board really jump-started us,” running back D.J. Stewart said.
“That was a momentum changer in the game.”
The running game took over as Stewart rushed for 189 yards and two scores, while Alec Rosner added 108 yards and a TD and Nett 76 yards and a TD.
Sun Prairie’s lone scoring drive was 19 yards after Rosner lost the ball on a pass attempt in a driving rain.
Kimberly picked off two passes and contained an explosive offense to 260 yards. In its last two games of the season, Kimberly held Appleton North and Sun Prairie to a combined 21 points.
“The defense played lights out all season,” Rosner said. “They peaked at the right time.”
