Merkel 14, Stanton 0 — The Badgers bounced back from a season-opening loss to Clifton with a shutout win over the Buffaloes.

The game was scoreless until the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, when Joey Zink hit Maddox O’Malley with a long touchdown pass to put Merkel (1-1) up 8-0. The Badgers would add a second touchdown later to put the game out of reach.

Conner Willyerd had a big interception for MHS late in the third quarter, halting a potential scoring drive for Stanton and keeping the game scoreless into the final period.