Merrill Varsity Football rallies from early deficit to edge Tomahawk, 21-20

The Merrill Varsity Football Team traveled to Tomahawk Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, and dug out of an early two-touchdown hole to take a 21-20 win over the Hatchets.
“I love the fight in our boys,” Merrill Varsity Football Head Coach Jason Wadzinski said. “It’s such a privilege to coach a group of young men who claw and scrap for yards and know how to overcome adversity.”
“Starting out the game with a series of mistakes that Tomahawk capitalized on put us in a 0-14 hole,” he said. “Credit to the Hatchets for coming out fast, but you can’t ever count this 2026 squad of Bluejays out.”
The Bluejays piled up 336 yards of total offense, with 163 rushing and 173 passing. They also converted 7 of 12 third-down attempts.
Kanin Jahnke (30 att, 146 yds, 1 TD) carried the load on the ground. He also completed his only pass attempt for 21 yards. Quarterback Cole Rudie (7 of 13, 152 yds, 1 TD passing; 8 att, 19 yds rushing) led the passing attack, and Ryker Remington added 9 yards on one carry.

Aiden Drake (2 rec, 56 yds) and Brody Klebenow (2 rec, 50 yds, 1 TD) were the top receivers. Klebenow scored two of Merrill’s three touchdowns. Remington (2 rec, 39 yds) and Jayden Graap (2 rec, 28 yds) also made catches.
Ty Schuett went 3-for-3 on extra points. He also punted three times for 117 yards (39 avg, long of 45) and kicked off four times for 207 yards (long of 56). Alex Bushar returned four kickoffs for 49 yards.
On defense, Merrill forced two Tomahawk turnovers without committing any of its own. Remington (8 tk, 4 ast, 1 TFL, 1 forced fum, 1 fum rec) led the defense. Avery Voermans (4 tk, 2 ast, 1 PBU, 1 forced fum) also forced a fumble, and Klebenow (1 tk, 1 ast, 1 fum rec, 1 TD) recovered one.
Contributing on defense:
• Bennett Jacobson: 3 tk, 4 ast, 1 assisted TFL
• Peyton Hagenbucher: 2 tk, 1 ast, 1 assisted TFL
• Mason Schenk: 1 tk, 1 ast, 1 TFL
• Gracin Bloch: 3 ast
• Alex Bushar: 1 tk, 3 ast
• Remington Skic: 1 tk

Players of the Week:
• Offensive: Kanin Jahnke
• Defensive: Ryker Remington
• Special Teams: Brody Klebenow
• Lineman: Otto Lee

• Unit: Offense
• Scout Player of the Week: James Barker

Box Score
Merrill 21 @ Tomahawk 20