Gilman Pulls Away for First Eight-Player Football State Title
Posted: 11/14/2026
Gilman pulled away from Belmont in the second half for a 34-6 victory and its first eight-player WIAA state football championship in school history on November 14 in Wisconsin Rapids.
The Pirates led 14-6 at halftime and shutout the Braves in the second half to complete a perfect 13-0 season. Gilman was the runner-up in last year’s state final. The Pirates also won three 11–player state titles in 1986, 2006 and 2010. Belmont was also runner-up in 2022 and was runner-up in 11-player football in 2007.
After a scoreless first quarter, Gilman’s defense opened the scoring when Belmont quarterback Wyatt Temperly spun out of a potential sack and was trying to throw the ball away, but it was intercepted by Gilman defensive lineman Tayden Angell and returned 38 yards for a touchdown.
Belmont also took advantage of a turnover for its first score. Boone Havens recovered a fumble at the Gilman 16-yard line and, two plays later, Griffin McNett took a swing pass from Temperly and raced 15 yards down the sideline to even the game at 6-6.
Gilman took the lead just before halftime when quarterback Logan Halida capped a 10-play, 65-yard drive with a six-yard touchdown run. Halida then passed to Wyatt Orth for a two-point conversion and Gilman led 14-6 at halftime.
The Pirates took the second half kickoff and went 64 yards in nine plays, culminating in a 14-yard run by Trevin Duellman. Halida passed to Kolby Keepers for the two-point conversion and GIlman led 22-6.
After stopping Belmont on downs, Gilman took over at its own 38-yard line and, three plays later, Halida lofted a 58-yard touchdown pass to Jossiah Jackson for the longest pass play in the eight-year history of the eight-man state championship game, giving the Pirates a 28-6 lead. Duellman finished the scoring with a 45-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter.
Duellman led Gilman with 90 yards rushing on 10 carries. Halida rushed for 65 yards on 13 attempts and was 4-for-8 passing for 91 yards. Temperly rushed for 73 yards on 21 carries and also threw for 81 yards on 15-for-23 passing to lead Belmont. Gilman finished the game 8-for-11 on third down attempts.
Both teams entered the game having dominated their opponents all season with neither having a game decided by fewer than 20 points. Gilman finished the season outscoring its opponents 646-38.
