RIVER FALLS — The Wildcats had their chance to strike to tie the game in the final minutes, but an untimely interception gave Chippewa Falls a 35-21 win over River Falls in Big Rivers conference play Friday, Sept. 13.

The first half was all about field position, and that was a battle River Falls was in full control of. The game started with a long kickoff return from River Falls, and after making it to the Cardinals’ side of the field, they were stuffed on third and fourth and short. The defense was determined to keep the offense on the right side of the field, and they did so, forcing a three-and-out and blocking the following punt. With great field position, River Falls got to the goal line but could not capitalize, missing a chip shot field goal.

After a 0-0 first quarter, the Wildcats had another chance in the second, as the Cardinals punted from their own five-yard line, leading River Falls to start around the 35. River Falls once again got to the red zone, but the Cardinal defense stood tall once more to keep the game scoreless.

With three minutes to play in the half, the hard work of the defense finally paid off.

On second and long at their own 20-yard line, Eli Johnson’s presence forced a high, wobbling toss that fell right into the hands of Cal Usgaard who took it 36 yards to the house for a pick-six.

While River Falls had all the momentum, refusing to let the Chippewa Falls offense move the ball even an inch for much of the game, the Cardinals found a way to strike right back to tie the game at seven heading into the half.

“It’s just a shame we didn’t capitalize, we almost did,” Head Coach Ryan Scherz said on the first half opportunities. “But yep, that’s football.”

Getting the ball to start the second half, the Cardinals wasted no time punching in another to take a 14-7 lead.

A play action rollout to fullback Luke Anderson would tie the game at 14. This is when Cardinal running back Jackson LeMay would show what he is made of. LeMay found a hole in the middle of the offensive line, bounced off one tackler, spun through another, stepped out of a defender that had his leg wrapped and spun out of one final tackler before flying into the end zone for a 60-yard score. Nearly every one of the River Falls linebackers and defensive backs had a chance at the play, but they were no match.

River Falls would tie the game for the final time at the beginning of the fourth quarter, as a similar play to the one that scored Anderson was this time directed to Johnson who would find the room to score.

Just when it appeared River Falls got a stop for a chance to take the lead, a third and 15 deep ball to Sam Hebert kept the drive alive, which was capped off with another score with five and a half minutes to play.

The Wildcats had a slow and methodical drive, featuring a fourth down conversion among many small gains. The gains did add up though, as they found themselves approaching the opposing 30-yard line on third and nine. Looking for a route over the middle, a Cardinal defender leaped in front of it to intercept, draining the hopes of the hometown crowd.

“Too many offensive mistakes in the first half where we had opportunities,” Scherz said. “Too many mistakes in critical situations, and that’s what’ll happen against a good team.”

Leading River Falls in passing was Tino Massa, going 15-for-20 with 120 yards, a pair of touchdowns and an interception. Joseph Tarasewicz took 34 carries for 121 yards and Johnson had six catches for 60 yards and a score.

Chippewa Falls went for 240 yards and four touchdowns on the ground on 8.0 yards per carry.

Now sitting at 2-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play, River Falls enters the crunch time of the season with a lot on the line.

“We gotta figure out a way to not put ourselves in those difficult situations and to finish things,” Scherz said. “That’s gotta come from within, the coaching staff and the players. It’s not necessarily a physical thing, it’s a mental thing.”

River Falls remains at home Friday, taking on a tough New Richmond team with hopes of getting back on track.