Florence senior running back William Kelley (3) drags a host of Three Lakes/Phelps’ defenders on Friday during second round action of the WIAA 8-player state playoffs in Florence. (Photo courtesy D’nelle Kelley)

FLORENCE, Wis. — Florence 8-player varsity football’s standout defensive end duo of Trent McLain and Bryce Leffler combined for eight sacks and the Bobcats’ defense held Three Lakes scoreless in the second half of a 27-13 win in a second round WIAA 8-Man football playoff game Friday night in Florence.

“We finally managed to corral that quarterback and limit his downfield throws,” said Florence coach Kent Walstrom. “That QB-receiver combo of Kaufman and Janikowski might be the best in the state in 8-man, and we had to find ways to shut it down. Trent and Bryce and Breyson (Kelley) up front with William (Kelley) in the back end on Janikowski, and our whole defense answered the call.”

Florence trailed 7-0 in the second quarter after a Kaufman to Janikowski touchdown pass before driving to score a touchdown on a seven yard run by running back Logan Schuls and adding a go-ahead two point conversion by William Kelley to lead, 8-7.

Three Lakes retook the lead just before halftime on a second Kaufman to Janikowski scoring throw and catch to go up 13-8 following a missed extra point in what would prove to be their final points of the season.

The second half belonged to Florence on both sides of the ball.

Back to back splash plays by Bobcats’ defensive back/receiver Dustin Williams midway through the third quarter swung momentum Florence’s way. A Kaufman interception by Williams gave the Bobcats possession at their own 41-yard line. On the following play, the Bobcats scored their second touchdown of the game when Kelley hit Williams on a 59-yard bomb to give the Bobcats a 14-13 lead.

“Big momentum swing there,” said Walstrom. “We had missed on a couple scoring chances in the first half and had dropped a potential interception earlier, but you could kind of see their sideline was deflated when we took the lead back. The pick and then the long touchdown to Williams from Kelley were game-turning plays.”

A second Kelley to Williams touchdown pass of 15 yards on a slant pattern in the fourth quarter put Florence up 20-13.

“We were running some spread power plays with Bryce in there as a lead back and having some success, and as soon as they pulled their safety up in the box as an extra defender we knew we had a one-on-one shot to Dustin with no help inside or over the top,” said Walstrom. “Kelley threw a perfect pass and Dustin beat his man inside and made a big catch.”

Meanwhile, Florence’s defense bottled up the Kaufman-Janikowski combo with good coverage in the back end by Kelley and constant pressure up front by Leffler, McLain and nose tackle Breyson Kelley.

“Breyson delivered the kind of game we needed from him. Six tackles and a sack. He did his job and didn’t give their QB alleys inside to escape through. That was one of the keys to the game,” Walstrom added.

A clock-eating drive and a final Bobcats’ touchdown on a three-yard run by running back Joey Holmstrom and extra-point kick by Kelley in the game’s final minute made it a two-score game at 27-13 and sealed the win for Florence.

Defensively, McLain led the defense with seven tackles and four sacks. Breyson Kelley, along with Leffler (four sacks, two tackles, batted pass), Logan Thompson (six tackles), Logan Schuls (six tackles) and Joey Holmstrom (five tackles) also made significant contributions. William Kelley (four tackles) covered Janikowski in man coverage all game and mostly kept the speedy receiver in check.

Kelley led Florence’s offense with six of eleven completions for 151 passing yards with two pass TDs and one interception and 85 yards on 19 carries. Schuls added 72 rush yards on 16 rushing attempts. Holmstrom had 29 yards on five carries.

Three Lakes’ season ends with an 8-2 record, with both losses coming to Florence.

The undefeated Bobcats (10-0) advance to the state semifinals Friday with a game against undefeated Oakfield (10-0) in Waupaca at 7 p.m.