The Appleton area lit up Friday night with thrilling high school football action that kept fans on the edge of their seats. From last-second heroics to dominant performances, local teams showcased their talent, determination, and competitive spirit. Here’s a detailed recap of all the action, highlighting standout players, crucial plays, and key stats.
Neenah Remains Undefeated With Shutout Over Kimberly
Neenah secured a 7-0 victory against Kimberly, preserving its undefeated streak in the Fox Valley Association. Ashton VanBeek led the Rockets with 176 rushing yards on 22 carries, including the game’s only touchdown, a 66-yard sprint in the second quarter on a third-and-4 play. Harry Gerdin converted the extra point to seal the shutout.
Neenah improved to 6-1 overall and 5-0 in league play. Kimberly struggled with turnovers, including a fourth-quarter fumble near the red zone, which ultimately cost them the game.
Scoring Summary:
- Second Quarter: Neenah – Ashton VanBeek 66-yard run (Harry Gerdin kick)
Appleton North Edges Kaukauna in Last-Second Thriller
Appleton North stunned Kaukauna 20-18 with a dramatic final-play touchdown. Grant Hardy capped a 41-yard drive, throwing a 48-yard pass to Alijah Valeri and then rushing 3 yards into the end zone on fourth-and-3 with just 5.7 seconds left.
Earlier, Kaukauna’s Aiden Reardon had put his team ahead with a late 8-yard touchdown run. The game was delayed for 90 minutes in the third quarter due to lightning, but the Lightning remained composed under pressure.
Appleton North improved to 5-2 overall and 4-1 in the FVA, while Kaukauna fell to 3-4 overall and 3-2 in the league.
Individual Leaders:
- Rushing: Appleton North – Darcel Wilson 20-94; Kaukauna – Reardon 16-92
- Passing: Appleton North – Grant Hardy 16-26-2-213; Kaukauna – Brayden Jenkins 14-23-1-239
- Receiving: Appleton North – Alijah Valeri 2-58, Gabe Meitner 2-57; Kaukauna – Kavanaugh Weyenberg 6-118
Oshkosh West Tops Appleton East in Competitive Contest
Oshkosh West captured a 21-14 victory over Appleton East, marking its first win of the season. Quarterback Drew Abitz threw two touchdowns and ran for another, while Wyatt Marten added 146 yards rushing on 27 carries. The Wildcats totaled 249 rushing yards, showcasing a balanced offensive attack.
Scoring Summary:
- Oshkosh West – 7,7,0,7 | Appleton East – 0,0,7,7
Pulaski Dominates Appleton West With 55-20 Win
Pulaski’s Red Raiders rolled over Appleton West, amassing 428 total yards, including 334 on the ground. Bohdan Schmidt rushed five times for 78 yards and two touchdowns, while Brock Weideman contributed 46 yards and two scores. Schmidt also completed 6 of 7 passes for 65 yards.
Pulaski built a commanding 21-0 lead after the first quarter and maintained control throughout. The Red Raiders now lead the Fox River Classic Conference-North standings with an impressive showing.
Individual Leaders:
- Rushing: Schmidt 5-78, Weideman 7-46
- Passing: Schmidt 6-7-0-65
Little Chute Crushed Sheboygan Falls 49-0
Reece Joten led Little Chute with 105 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a dominant 49-0 victory over Sheboygan Falls. Tyler Hietpas added a 60-yard touchdown run, while Trevor Verhagen contributed both on offense and defense, including two interceptions.
The Mustangs improved to 6-1 overall and 5-0 in the North Eastern Conference, cementing their position as one of the league’s top contenders.
Scoring Summary:
- First Quarter: Joten 54, 6-yard runs
- Second Quarter: Joten 14-yard run, Verhagen 9-yard run, Hietpas 60-yard run, Hoffman 14-yard interception return
- Third Quarter: Jeshua Tobin 45-yard run
Winneconne Rolls Over Waupaca 56-0
Brody Schaffer dominated for Winneconne, accounting for six touchdowns in a 56-0 shutout against Waupaca. Schaffer rushed for three scores, threw for two more, and returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown.
The Wolves showcased their depth and versatility, moving to 6-1 overall and proving why they are a force in the North Eastern Conference.
Freedom Secures 16-6 Win Over Wrightstown
Freedom maintained control throughout their matchup, defeating Wrightstown 16-6. The Irish improved to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the North Eastern Conference, trailing only Little Chute and Luxemburg-Casco by one game. The game was called early due to lightning with just over four minutes remaining.
New Holstein Holds Off Brillion 17-14
In a tight Eastern Wisconsin Conference clash, New Holstein narrowly defeated Brillion 17-14. Connor Schaefer led the rushing attack with 96 yards, while Landon Floyd contributed 106 passing yards. Both teams are now tied for first place in the conference with identical 5-2 records.
Scoring Summary:
- New Holstein: 0,3,7,7
- Brillion: 0,0,7,7
Key Takeaways From Friday’s Games
Friday’s Appleton area football games highlighted exceptional talent and competitive spirit across multiple teams. Neenah remains undefeated, Appleton North thrilled fans with a last-second heroics, and Pulaski and Little Chute dominated their matchups. Players like Ashton VanBeek, Grant Hardy, Brody Schaffer, and Reece Joten delivered standout performances that will be remembered throughout the season.
The Appleton area continues to showcase a vibrant high school football scene, with thrilling finishes, impressive individual stats, and a strong sense of community support. Fans can expect these teams to continue delivering exciting performances as the season progresses.
References:
- Source: Fox Valley Association
- Source: Eastern Wisconsin Conference
- Source: North Eastern Conference
Disclaimer: This article summarizes results from publicly available information on Appleton area high school football games played on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. All scores and statistics are reported as provided by official sources.
