Merrill Varsity Football falls to Wausau East in season finale, turns attention to playoffs

Posted Wednesday, October 28, 2026 12:47 pm

By Tina L. Scott
Editor

On Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, the Merrill Varsity Football Team traveled to Thom Field in Wausau for the regular-season finale against Wausau East and came up one score short, falling 21-14.
“We fell short of our goal Friday night with a tough one-score loss to Wausau East,” said Merrill Varsity Football Team Head Coach Jason Wadzinski. “We lost the game up front on defense and couldn’t do enough offensively to make up the difference.”
Quarterback Cole Rudie accounted for both Bluejay touchdowns on the ground (12 att, 42 yds, 2 TD) and completed 10 of 15 passes for 97 yards. Ty Schuett was perfect on extra points, going 2-for-2.
Kanin Jahnke led Merrill’s rushing attack (15 att, 65 yds) and added 3 receptions for 21 yards. Ryker Remington was Rudie’s top target (4 rec, 40 yds), followed by Aiden Drake (3 rec, 36 yds).
The Bluejays totaled 112 rushing yards and 97 passing yards on the night.

On special teams, Brody Klebenow returned 2 kickoffs for 90 yards, Remington had a 54-yard kickoff return, and Jahnke added a 32-yard return. Schuett punted twice for 68 yards (34 avg, 37 long).
“I’m proud of the 6-3 record we put up this year, and we’re looking forward to playoff football,” Wadzinski said.

Box Score
Merrill 14 @ Wausau East 21