Stockton Dominates Dwight 44-0 in Class 1A Playoff Showdown

BREAKING: In a stunning display of dominance, the Stockton Blackhawks crushed the Dwight Trojans **44-0** in the Class 1A football playoffs on **November 4, 2023**, at **John O’Boyle Field**. This decisive victory ensures that Stockton remains undefeated with an **11-0** record, propelling them into the semifinals against Lena-Winslow next weekend.

The tone was set early when Stockton’s defense forced Dwight into a three-and-out on their opening drive. The Blackhawks then executed a series of **nine straight running plays**, covering **55 yards** to score their first of six touchdowns. This relentless performance highlights Stockton’s defensive prowess, having allowed just **three points** across three playoff games.

Dwight, finishing the season with a record of **8-4**, faced difficulties from the beginning. Head coach **Luke Standiford** noted, “We knew they were going to play a 3-4 defense, so the plan was to hopefully have some success running the ball up the middle. We struggled finding space as their linebackers did a great job of filling any seams quickly.” The Trojans managed only **125 rushing yards** on **42 attempts**, with their top performer, **Evan Cox**, carrying the ball **11 times** for **44 yards**.

Stockton’s offensive star, senior running back **Jack Mensendike**, was unstoppable, racking up **158 yards** on **20 carries** and scoring **three touchdowns**. After Dwight’s interception and subsequent punt, Mensendike scored on runs of **33 and 7 yards**, pushing the score to **22-0** at halftime. Head coach **Sean Downey** emphasized the importance of physicality, stating, “The number one thing we talked about this week leading up to this game was that we had to be the more physical team in every aspect.”

The Blackhawks continued their offensive onslaught in the **third quarter**, with **Mark Detwiler** scoring from **four yards out**. Following another interception, quarterback **Moah Larson** threw a **16-yard touchdown pass** to **Eli Larson**, extending the lead to **38-0**. Stockton capped the scoring with an explosive **82-yard touchdown run** by **Carter Blair**, who finished with **100 yards** on just **six carries**.

Despite a rocky start to the season, beginning at **2-3**, Dwight rallied to win six straight games before this playoff exit. Standiford reflected on the team’s journey, highlighting the impact of Cox’s return from injury: “When he got back on the field it was like our whole team changed. We were able to snap that losing streak and the confidence just grew with each week.”

As Stockton prepares for their semifinal clash with Lena-Winslow, they will look to continue their impressive form, while Dwight’s season concludes with a sense of pride in their resilience and growth throughout the year.

Stay tuned for updates as both teams navigate the next steps in this thrilling playoff season.