Trevor Forster picks up a big gain to help lead Spring Valley over undefeated Boyceville. Photo

BOYCEVILLE — A week ago, Spring Valley football Head Coach Ryan Kapping said they were going to have to get better if they wanted to beat 7-0 Boyceville for sole possession of the conference lead, and he got just what he wished for, with the Cardinals rallying for a 19-18 win on the road Friday.

“We were better, we were better,” Kapping said of the improvements he saw. “Best practice week we’ve had all season. Kids were focused and they showed up tonight.”

The dream game started as a nightmare, as Spring Valley’s opening drive abruptly ended when a short throw near the right sideline was jumped for an interception and returned all the way to the one. Boyceville wasted no time punching it in for a 6-0 lead.

“We put ourselves in some tough spots early, so just credit to the kids for continuing to give effort and continuing to fight back and make enough plays,” Kapping said.

After penalties killed each team’s next drive, Spring Valley took a 7-6 lead when quarterback Cade Stasiek found Caleb Bartko in the back of the endzone for a five-yard score. The drive was largely fueled by a 32-yard run from Trevor Forster.

It looked as if the lead would hold into the halftime break, but on fourth and four with a minute to go in the second, Boyceville quarterback Carson Roemhild escaped the pocket and found an open receiver on the right sideline for a 35-yard score and a 12-7 lead. Roemhild was elusive all night long, finding some rare cracks in a rock-solid Cardinal defense.

The third quarter did not see points added to the board on either side, but it was massive from a field position perspective. Spring Valley controlled the field for the whole quarter, eventually returning a punt to the opposing 40 with the fourth quarter looming.

They capitalized on the field position, as a drive that featured a pair of fourth down conversions was capped off by a three-yard rush by Stasiek for a 13-12 lead with nine minutes to play. Spring Valley went for two and failed, which nearly drastically altered the game, but ended up being a non-factor.

Roemhild struck again on the next drive, as a deep pass took the Bulldogs all the way to the one yard line and they scored a play later. Because of Spring Valley’s failed conversion, Boyceville had a chance to go up seven on the conversion, but could not and led 18-13 with 6:50 to go.

Things looked bleak for the Cardinals, as they had a fourth and five situation. Bartko became the hero, as a throw into tight coverage was grabbed for the first down.

On the next play, Stasiek found Ian Hakes up the seam for 30 yards to get Spring Valley to the nine. On third and goal from the six, Stasiek ran it in again with 1:05 to play and the rest was history.

“It was the greatest feeling in the world,” Stasiek said. “Just goosebumps up and down my body.”

Both squads entered at 7-0, with Boyceville sitting at No. 4 in the Division 7 Wisconsin Sports Network rankings and Spring Valley at No. 6. Each team was also 5-0 in conference play, so while the game did not fully decide the conference title, it did allow the Cardinals to clinch a share of the Dunn-St. Croix. A win next week would propel Spring Valley to the outright title.

“It means the world,” Stasiek said. “It’s great to have at least a share, and we’re hoping to get outright next week.”

Stasiek said after winning conference his freshman and sophomore years, there was a sting from landing in second in 2023, so the team was ecstatic to reclaim their seat at the top.

“It just boosts our confidence so much,” Stasiek said. “We still know we have to work hard, but it boosts our confidence a lot.”

A game like this one may have a lasting impact on Spring Valley, as it gave the Cardinals their first real taste of trailing most of the game. The only other game that came down to the fourth quarter came in the opening week against Durand-Arkansaw, so the experience was vital.

“It’s nice to have tough games,” Kapping said. “That will pay off in the playoffs. We will definitely, obviously, play tough opponents in the playoffs, and you want those four quarter games to prepare you.”

The Boyceville crowd was both full and rowdy; however, Spring Valley brought numbers of their own to fill the stands. The noise was felt on the field, with Kapping shouting out the community support of the program.

“A lot of people are passionate about football in Spring Valley and it’s a credit to our community,” Kapping said. “Very pleased that we can give a product that they’re proud of every week.”

The Cardinals play 6-2 Glenwood City on Friday to wrap up the regular season and target the outright title.