The Polar Bear varsity football team managed to stay one step ahead of the Neenah Rockets on Friday, Oct. 17, as they earned a 28-21 win in front of their home crowd.
Hortonville held a 14-7 lead early in the third quarter, but Neenah scored on a passing play with 7:20 remaining in the quarter and tacked on the extra point to even the score at 14-14.
The Polar Bears responded with a touchdown pass from Braden Stoeger to Kyle Witthuhn with 1:25 remaining in the quarter. The extra point kick was good, and Hortonville again led by seven points, 21-14.
The fourth quarter started with a bang, as Mitch Gerhartz broke free for an 83-yard touchdown run with 10:56 remaining in the game. The successful extra point gave Hortonville a 14-point lead, 28-14.
Neenah answered with a touchdown pass with 6:22 remaining to narrow the margin to 28-21. The Rockets had opportunities to put together a drive to tie the game, but the Polar Bear defense never let them find the end zone.
Carter Beaudoin intercepted Neenah’s last gasp pass near midfield as time expired to preserve the win for the Polar Bears.