Cougars Knock Off Rival Big Reds in First Round of State Playoffs

Cross-town rivals, Dakota High School and Chippewa Valley High School faced off in the much anticipated first round of the state football playoffs Friday night.

The Cougars came out on top in this year’s district semi-finals by a score of 17-7, earning the right to face L’Anse Creuse North next week for the District Championship.

Read more: Crusaders Top Bulldogs in First Round of State Playoffs

The Big Reds were out for revenge following a heartbreaking regular-season loss to Dakota as they looked to upset the Cougars in the sixth-ever postseason meeting between the two teams.

Dakota jumped out on top with a safety midway through the first quarter and held a 2-0 lead until about halfway through the second quarter when they were awarded their second safety of the night on a blocked punt by Senior Defensive Back, Connor Wonsowicz.The score was 4-0 Cougars at halftime.

The two teams traded touchdowns early in the third quarter giving the Cougars a 10-7 lead early in the second half. Dakota scored once more near the end of the quarter to make it 17-7 as the game headed into the final quarter.

A blocked field goal by Junior Defensive Back, Mustafa Abdur-rahman, was enough to hold the Big Reds scoreless in the fourth quarter. The Cougars held on to win by a final score of 17-7.

“This was a big win tonight,” said Dakota head coach Mike Giannone when asked about what the victory meant for the team moving forward. “Our guys executed well and we need to make sure we continue to battle hard out there.”

The Cougars move on to the District Finals where they face the L’Anse Creuse North Crusaders at home Friday night at 7 p.m. The Crusaders are coming off a 35-21 victory over the Romeo Bulldogs.