MADISON, Wis. (WXOW) – It was an exciting matchup between two teams well-known to each other in the 2025 WIAA Division 2 State Football Championship game. 

Located just six miles from each other, the undefeated Notre Dame Tritons took on the also-undefeated West De Pere Phantoms in Camp Randall Stadium on Friday. 

The first quarter was full of fireworks. In the first drive, West De Pere marched down the field like a machine and scored in under two minutes. Notre Dame answered right back as standout Kingston Allen showed off why was the co-player of the year with a big run on their first play, ultimately scoring on a direct snap to even the score.

The Phantoms wasted no time getting back to the endzone, scoring again before the first quarter was even over. 

The Notre Dame offense was seeing a few plays getting blown up in the backfield by West De Pere’s Braylon Stegall, but the Triton’s Allen still burst through for a 28-yard running touchdown to even the score once again.

West De Pere took then showed off their impressive passing game with a huge 60-yard touchdown featuring the Phantom’s go-to receiver Judeah Kniskern shedding a tackle on his way into the endzone. 

There were nine minutes and twenty-nine seconds remaining when each team’s defense told themselves it was time to take over the game.

The D2 Championship crowd saw back-to-back interceptions on the field before Notre Dame marched down the field again and threatened to score. West De Pere created a wall at the endzone, however, and forced a huge turnover on downs that gave them the ball back.

Notre Dame’s defense also came to play, though, and forced the Phantoms into a 4th down without moving the ball away from their endzone. West De Pere lined up for a punt but fooled everyone with a successful fake punt-pass in their own endzone to keep the drive alive. 

The Phantoms weren’t able to capitalize as the Triton defense made a few big stops with some impressive tipped passes by their defensive line. The Triton offense was then intercepted on a last-ditch deep pass attempt to end the wildly entertaining first half.

Both teams made some defensive adjustments at the half, and it wasn’t until 5:18 left in the final quarter before West De Pere was able to score again, pretty much putting the game away after the defensive slugfest that was the second half.

The West De Pere Phantoms capped off an unbeaten season as WIAA Division 2 State Football Champions. 

Notable athletes:

• Notre Dame
  • Kingston Allen
    • 239 total yards, 8 receptions, 2 TDs
  • Jonah Marzec
• West De Pere
  • Patrick Greisen
    • 16-26, 304 yards, 2 TDs
  • Judeah Kniskern
    • 164 yards, 1 TD
  • Cooper Borowicz
    • 12 tackles, 1.5 TFL

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Published: November 21, 2025