Menomonie Minute

By Chad Zutter - Sports Reporter

The River Falls Wildcats exploded with 29 second half points, after getting shutout in the first half, to gain a 29-19 victory over the Menomonie Mustangs. 

In that second half, “River Falls owned the line of scrimmage and hit on some big plays,” according to head coach Mike Sinz. 

Both teams traded a few possessions in the first quarter, before sophomore DJ Butler started the scoring in the 2nd quarter with his first varsity touchdown on a 9-yard run. River Falls almost answered on their next drive, but a 77-yard touchdown pass from Tino Massa to Eli Johnson was called back on a holding penalty. A special teams blunder two plays later by the Wildcats gave the Mustangs a short field and Butler touched paydirt again, this time from 11 yards. 

The Wildcats received the second half kickoff and scored in the first 24 seconds as Massa connected with Johnson from 22 yards out. On River Falls' next drive, it took them just three plays to go 80 yards and took the lead on a 65-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Charlie Burke. Junior quarterback Massa had one of the best games of his season tossing four touchdown passes with Iowa recruit Johnson being on the receiving end of two of those. 

Issac Ellison did not play in the second half due to injury. 

The Mustangs will close out the regular season next week at Chippewa Falls while River Falls travels to Wausau West. 

Scoring Summary & Box Score

1st Quarter

No scoring

2nd Quarter

M - 9 yd run Butler (Zydowsky kick), 9:23

M - 11 yd run Butler (kick blocked), 5:55  

3rd Quarter

RF - Johnson 22 yd pass from Massa (Carufel kick), 11:36 

RF - Burke 65 yd pass from Massa (Carufel kick), 7:43

M - 1 yd run Higbie (pass failed), 3:26

4th Quarter

RF - Loesch 3 yd pass from Massa (Loesch run), 11:56

RF - Johnson 26 yd pass from Massa (Carufel kick), 7:13

Individual Stats

RUSHING (att-yds) – Menomonie: Higbie (19-128), Butler (13-53), Weir (6-27), Hoff (1-12), Stoll (2-9), Johnson (2-(-16)); Totals (43-213) / River Falls: Tarasewicz (22-89), Loesch (5-50), Massa (1-2); Totals (28-141)

PASSING (comp-att-td-int-yds) – Menomonie: Johnson (11-23-0-2-106) / River Falls: Massa (11-17-4-0-210)

RECEIVING (rec-yds) – Menomonie: Thornton (3-21), Mikesell (3-21), Rue (2-21), Ellison (1-12), Bystol (1-21), Butler (1-10); Totals (11-106) / River Falls: Johnson (4-100), Burke (2-70), Tarasewicz (2-15), Novak (1-20), Loesch (1-3), DuMond (1-2); Totals (11-210)

1ST DOWNS: Menomonie: 20 / River Falls: 11

3RD DOWN CONV: Menomonie: 6-14 / River Falls: 3-7

4TH DOWN CONV: Menomonie: 1-4 / River Falls: 0-2 

TURNOVERS: Menomonie: INT - 2, FUM - 0 / River Falls: INT - 0, FUM - 1 

PENALTIES: Menomonie: 4-30 / River Falls: 4-50 

Game Notes:

• Menomonie is ranked #10 in Wisports.net Division 3 Football Coaches Poll

• Menomonie has been ranked in top ten Wisports.net Division 3 Football Coaches Poll since week 2

• In Week 1, River Falls was ranked #3 in Wisports.net Division 2 Football Coaches Poll

• Since 1920: Menomonie leads the matchup 61-23-4 

• Coach Mike Sinz is 3-2 vs the River Falls Wildcats

• Records: Menomonie 5-3 (3-3 BRC) / River Falls 3-5 (2-4 BRC)

From the Monday's Meal Facebook page.

From the Menomonie Moose Lodge Facebook page.

Next weekend is Craft Show Saturday! Check out the Halloween Spooktacular Craft & Vendor Show at Stout Craft Co. from 10AM-3PM!

Looking to be a part of the show? Contact Vendors R' Us directly. There are no other contacts for this event!

From the Vendors R' Us Facebook page.

From Grandpa Joe's Trailside Facebook page.

Harpsichordist Jennifer Lohmann is an active freelance performer and teacher in the Chippewa Valley community, having taught piano classes at UW Stout for several years and currently manages the music program at Morgan Music in Eau Claire. With degrees in both history (B.A. from Marshall University) and music (B.M. in Collaborative Piano from UW Eau Claire), these two fields converged into a keen interest in early music, and Jennifer has specialized education and experience playing both harpsichord and fortepiano.

Notable harpsichord performances include Handel’s Messiah with the UW Eau Claire University Orchestra and with the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra (ECCO), she was the featured soloist for a performance of J.S. Bach’s Harpsichord Concerto in F minor with the UW Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra, and she regularly performs in recitals at UW Eau Claire on harpsichord. She frequently participates in early music conferences and festivals, and has received grants and awards for research on early music and historical performance practice.

Pianist Owen Lovell has appeared as a soloist and critically acclaimed chamber musician in twenty U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Commercial releases include tracks with rock musician Kip Winger (2008, Frontiers Records) and ASCAP award–winning composer Randall Bauer (2016, Albany Records). Owen has performed in live broadcasts on Wisconsin Public Radio and Austin, Texas NPR affiliate, KUT–FM. He has worked with many prizewinning composers, most notably Lowell Liebermann, Michael Torke, Samuel Adler, Joan Tower, Dan Welcher, Eric Ewazen, David Maslanka, Denis Smalley, and Roberto Sierra. Owen maintains professional two–piano and violin and piano collaborations, delighting audiences in settings ranging from rural community churches to the Kennedy Center.

Dr. Lovell earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in piano performance from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University, and holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin. His principal instructors included Boris Slutsky, Dr. Betty Mallard, Gregory Allen, and Julian Martin. Owen is an MTNA Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, serving actively on the executive board of its state and local affiliates, and is frequently in demand as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States.

Appointed in the fall of 2016, Dr. Lovell is an Associate Professor of Music and coordinates the keyboard area and Bobcat Keys after school program at Georgia College, the state’s designated public liberal arts university. Additionally, he is a piano technician and the piano review editor for Larry Fine’s Acoustic and Digital Piano Buyer (www.pianobuyer.com and printed semiannually), the standard consumer reference for piano shoppers. He previously served on the keyboard faculties of the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, the University of Texas - San Antonio, and Texas State University. Visit his YouTube channel for more information and links to recordings.

Tickets are $22 and available HERE.

From the Facebook event page.

Olde Towne is hosting a Halloween Party with a Costume Contest on Halloween.

Join us on Thursday, October 31st at 7:30 PM and show up in your best Halloween costume.

Admission to the party is Free. Entry into the Costume Contest is only $5.

Contest rules are HERE.

From the Facebook event page.

Join us for the Widows Weekend Craft Sale

Browse through an array of local handmade treasures!

Saturday, November 23rd 9am -3pm

If you are a craft vendor looking to apply to sell at our event or any vendor related questions, please email [email protected]

From the Facebook event page.

From the Dean & Sue's Facebook page.

Pleasant Valley Tree Farm is once again hosting a Fall Festival. Volume One recently shared a story about the festival's return in 2024. You can read it HERE.

Fall Festival

From mid-September through Halloween, visit our farm for all things spooky, pumpkin and fall activities! We have dozens of different activities that all ages will enjoy!

We are open every Saturday & Sunday in October! 9am to 5pm! Stop on out and enjoy fall at our farm. 

Cost: $13.27/person & 23 months & under are free!

Come on out and visit our Wild West Village, Evergreen Ridge Farm, Lumberjack Camp and Spooky Ridge Trail! You will find many different activities, games and experiences.

Pleasant Valley Tree Farm is located at N7240 810th St., Elk Mound.

Country Store

Our country store is a treasure trove of unique gifts for everyone on your list! Browse our extensive selection of Christmas items, including Nativity sets, Santas, snowmen, and festive florals. With thousands of ornaments available, you’re sure to find the perfect one for your tree.

We also offer locally made gourmet foods, USA-made products, and a wonderful range of clothing. Whether you’re looking for a special gift or a treat for yourself, our store has something for everyone.

Find the perfect present and enjoy a delightful shopping experience!

From the Pleasant Valley Tree Farm website.