It was a win that almost wasn't in more ways that one for Waunakee. But in the end the Warriors found way to rally & beat Northern Badger Conference rival DeForest 21-14 in the 2nd round of the Division 2 WIAA football playoffs.

First Waunakee had to rally just to tie the Norskies at 14 in the 4th quarter and then with time running our Warriors running back Kyle Acker fumbled the ball in DeForest territory, seemingly giving away his team's chance for victory. But Waunakee recovered the fumble and one play later Acker ran in the decisive touchdown from 18 yards out with just 36 seconds left in regulation in Waunakee's 21-14

Acker rushed for 53 of the 67 yards on the game winning drive and kept it alive by picking up 3 yards on a fourth-and-1. Acker, who rushed for 163 yards, also scored the tying touchdown on a 30-yard run with 5:22 left.

DeForest built a 4-7 lead on the legs of running back Cory Wipperfurth. Wipperfurth, who entered with 1,366 yards, rushed for 76 yards Saturday but ended the game on the sidelines with a groin injury.

Waunakee advances to the Quarterfinals on either Friday or Saturday where the Warriors will face another Badger Conference rival, Monona Grove.