Tosa Spartans Iron Bowl Triumph a Long Time Coming

Contributed by Luke Kujath

There was no way we were going to let this opportunity slip by again.

After a 60-game winning streak that spanned five seasons, the Madison Mustangs’ reign over the Ironman Football League ended Saturday night.

The Wauwatosa Spartans (11-1) shut out the four-time defending champion Mustangs (11-1) 23-0 in to secure the franchise’s first Ironman Football League (IFL) championship.

The Spartans relied on the same core components it had used all season to win the biggest game: a power running game coupled with an attacking defense.

The Spartans ground out 275 yards on offense – 200 on the ground – and controlled the clock all night, getting rushing touchdowns from running backs Bobby Windom and Jaimie Marton as well as quarterback Tony Henner

Charlie Henke added a 25-yard field goal on the game’s opening drive, giving the Spartans a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. 

The offense also had no turnovers.

Madison pulled out a last-minute, 28-24 win against the Spartans in Middleton during the IFL regular season, thanks in large part to five Spartan turnovers.

The Spartans defense held the Mustangs to just 31 offensive plays and only 129 total yards, putting constant pressure on Mustang quarterbacks Dave Hegben and Derek Distin, and bottled up a potent running game led by Kyle Brodd.

They also forced three interceptions, one each by linebackers Kevin Morris and Eric Zilisch and one by cornerback Jordan Cosby. Madison had never been shut out in the team’s six-year history.

Wauwatosa must now decide which national postseason tournament to accept an invitation from, with invitations already having come from the Mid-States Tournament and the Midwest Tournament.

Both present the opportunity to secure a berth in a national championship bowl game in Florida, to be played in January 2013.

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Luke Kujath is owner and president of the Wauwatosa Spartans Football Club.