Neenah Rockets End Streak Against Kimberly Papermakers with Last-Minute Field Goal

Neenah – In a thrilling Fox Valley Association football matchup, the Neenah Rockets pulled off a stunning 29-28 victory over the Kimberly Papermakers with a last-minute 29-yard field goal by Jack Klundt, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. The victory not only gives Neenah a much-needed win but also snaps a long-standing 19-game losing streak against Kimberly and shifts the all-time series lead to 40-31-2.

With this win, the Rockets improve their record to 5-2 overall and 4-1 in the FVA, while Kimberly now stands at 5-1 overall and 4-1 in the conference. The game featured several key players, with Grant Dean and Luke Jung both scoring two touchdowns apiece for Neenah. Notably, Dean had a remarkable 80-yard touchdown run that electrified the field.

The scoring opened in the first quarter with Neenah’s Grant Dean catching a short pass from Evan Vanevenhoven, although the extra point was blocked. Kimberly responded in the second quarter with a 23-yard rushing touchdown by Brady Bell, taking a brief lead. However, Neenah quickly struck back with Dean’s long run and a touchdown pass from Vanevenhoven to Jung.

The game seemed to tilt in Kimberly’s favor when they scored consecutive touchdowns, but Neenah refused to back down. In the final moments of the game, with the score knotted at 28-28, Klundt delivered the decisive kick that sealed the victory.

Meanwhile, in another Fox Valley Association action, the Kaukauna Ghosts secured their place at the top of the standings by defeating Appleton North 13-10 in overtime. Kyle Kress was instrumental for Kaukauna, scoring both touchdowns for the Ghosts and leading with an impressive 206 rushing yards. They now stand undefeated in the conference at 5-0.

As high school football continues to excite fans across the region, Neenah’s recent triumph serves as a reminder of resilience and competitive spirit, setting the tone for a thrilling end to the season.