The WACO Warriors’ perfect season came to an end with a 38-16 loss to Remsen-St. Mary’s in the 8-man football state championship game yesterday. St. Mary’s scored a touchdown on their opening drive, but the Hawks would truly put WACO in a bind by taking advantage of some uncharacteristic Warrior mistakes. A WACO fumble inside their own five-yard line was returned for a TD, and both a botched snap on a punt and a blocked punt gave the Hawks short fields that they turned into scores. WACO trailed 24-0 and would be down by as much as 29 before getting a 25-yard touchdown pass from Isaac Oswald to Colton Leichty and a TD run from Simeon Reichenbach in the second half.

Oswald ended up throwing for 219 yards. Leichty had three total receptions for 49 yards, while Reichebach led WACO with 60 yards receiving on four catches. The Warriors finished with 219 total yards of offense, but that included a season-low 58 yards rushing. Remsen-St. Mary’s gained 336 yards and also forced WACO to give away two fumbles. The Warriors finish the 2022 season 13-1, the most wins in a single season in school history. WACO also plays in an IHSAA football state title game for the first time ever after making just their second-ever trip to the state semifinals at the UNI-Dome.