With both New Berlin Eisenhower and Brookfield Central representing southeast Wisconsin at state, Friday could have gone one of three ways.
Two division titles, one division title, or none.
Unfortunately, it went the later but it's important to remember that tonight was a very sacred night for any senior athlete win or lose. Because tonight was the final moments of their high school careers.
"The reality of this game is that when you hang up the cleats, and the jersey, and the helmet; you never put the helmet on again. And for most of our kids, probably 28 out of the 31, that will never happen again. Right now that's where our emotions are where our thoughts are," said Jed Kennedy, Brookfield Central Head Coach.
"Right now it is disappointing. You feel for the seniors, I know how badly they wanted to get this. They knew we hadn't been here in 21 years, hadn't won it in 21 years and they wanted to deal the deal," said Matt Kern, New Berlin Eisenhower Head Coach
"We're not going to let them define their season by a bad 24 minutes," Kennedy said.
"I think what I want for them, after the pain of today goes away and the disappointment, is that they realize what a tremendous season they had. They really did," Kern said.
New Berlin Eisenhower fell to Rice Lake 25 to 3. Brookfield Central lost 14 to 13 to Waunakee.
But the more important stat is that the Lions will say goodbye to 27 seniors.
The Lancers will say goodbye to 31.
