Slinger Wins WIAA Division 2 Football Championship

Slinger clinched the WIAA Division 2 state championship with a narrow 31-30 victory over Rice Lake at Camp Randall Stadium, marking their first title since 1998. The decisive moment came with Michael Thiede's 2-yard touchdown run and Cole Martin's successful extra point late in the fourth quarter. Rice Lake had initially taken a 30-24 lead but lost momentum following a crucial turnover that allowed Slinger to score. Thiede excelled with 181 passing yards and 48 rushing yards, while Rice Lake's Connor Durand rushed for 123 yards. This match concluded Rice Lake's season as runner-up, finishing with an 11-3 record, after winning the Division Three title the previous year. The game showcased a high level of competition with both teams combining for over 600 total yards of offense.