Local Sports Journal

FREMONT – The Fremont Packers did the unthinkable Friday night.

Not only did the Packers earn their first playoff berth since 2009, they also defeated Montague for the first time in 53 years.

Down 14-6 at the half, the Packers scored 22 unanswered second-half points to pull out the 28-14 victory and improve to 6-3.

Montague falls to 6-3. Both teams earned an automatic playoff berth.

“Obviously our kids were very excited,” said Fremont head coach Jeff Breuker. “One of those goals we set at the beginning of the year (to make the playoffs) and its one of those things that people look at you like your crazy. But we worked hard all year long.”

A 100-yard TD by Montague’s Wyatt Ford gave the visitors the eight-point lead heading into the break.

But it was all Fremont from that point on.

“Our kids have been resilient all year,” said Breuker. “Tonight was no different. Montague is a good football team. One of those things I’m really proud of our kids is their hard work. They’ve worked to actually get to this goal now.

“You go down on a interception return just before half for most teams is very hard to overcome,” Breuker noted. “We embraced that pressure and it’s nice to be relevant at Week 9. It’s nice to have that meaningful game especially at home.

“We kind of preached to them, let’s not be that Fremont football team, let’s be the Fremont football team that breaks the streak on them.”

For the Packers, the win and playoff berth do a lot to bring together the entire community.

“Coming from a small town,” said Breuker, “there’s plenty of people who care about the Fremont program and it’s nice to see them interact with our kids. A lot of the fans have come out and been very supportive of us because this team wants it and are willing to sacrifice. It’s nice to see the community and football team to come together as one.”

Montague had plenty to play for too. A win and a 7-2 record would have put the Wildcats in line for a possible home game at next weekend’s playoff opener.

But the Packers were too strong Friday.

“When you go 2-7 and the year before,” said Breuker, “there’s not a lot of belief around town that you can make the playoffs. And to actually follow through and do it; it’s something special for our kids.”

Montague was led by senior Chris Carroll, who finished with 78 yards on 22 carries, while sophomore Jacob Buchberger finished with 8-for-19 passing for 70 yards and a score.

The Wildcats’ Mike Meekof scored on a TD pass from Buchberger.

Defensively, the Wildcats were led by Cameron Brayman with 13 tackles, with Ben Rupert adding 11 stops in the loss.

Fremont’s scoring and stats will be added to this story as soon as they are available.