Florence’s Bryce Leffler (71) races around an attempted block on his way to try to track down Laona-Wabeno quarterback Carter Janesch (4) during the 8-player football Level 1 playoff game Friday at Robert Landry Field. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

FLORENCE — Laona-Wabeno’s speed on offense got the best of Florence in a 30-22 win over the Bobcats in an 8-player football Level 1 playoff game Friday at Robert Landry Field.

“We knew they were a dangerous matchup for us,” said a disappointed Florence head coach Kent Walstrom. “Especially once we knew Evan (Johnson) wasn’t going to be able to go.”

Florence played the game without the services of speedy senior running back/safety Evan Johnson, a first-team all-conference defensive back a year ago.

“We knew we could still run the ball on them, but some of our passing concepts were compromised without that player that can stretch a defense vertically and horizontally, and defensively, playing against that spread with all their speed, we just couldn’t match up player for player on the outside and still account for a very fast, elusive quarterback that likes to take off and run,” Walstrom said. “Played our opening round playoff game last year at Lena without three starters and Bryce playing with essentially one arm, and now we lose Evan for this one.

“Tough playoff luck, but our congratulations to L-W on a hard-earned win.”

Florence dominated time of possession in the first half, driving to the Rebels’ 12-yard line but coming up empty on 4th down on their first possession and scoring an apparent touchdown on a 65-yard TD run by quarterback Will Kelley on their second series on offense. The play was called back on a holding penalty.

“I’ve watched the film now and there was no hold,” Walstrom added. “Happy to show that play on film to anyone interested. Very frustrating to have a score taken off the board in a playoff game and then you don’t see the penalty on the game tape.”

Neither team scored until the Bobcats broke through with an eight-yard TD run by junior Logan Schuls at the 9:29 mark of the second quarter. The two-point conversion run by Kelley was good and gave Florence an 8-0 lead.

L-W responded with a second quarter touchdown of their own on a short run by Rebels’ QB Carter Janesch. With just over two minutes left in the first half, Florence’s Kelley was called for pass interference on a Rebels’ 4th-and-10 play from midfield, giving L-W a new set of downs.

“Didn’t understand that call either and I’m not here trying to hammer on the officials, but Will played it the way we coach him to and even tipped the ball away,” Walstrom said. “Didn’t agree with the call, and that was a play where we’re getting the ball at midfield with a chance for a two score lead going into halftime. Instead, they get a new set of downs and score on a deep pass to their receiver Shepard with six seconds left and go up 12-8 at the half.”

The Rebels potent offense scored twice in the third quarter on two more deep passes to running back Braden Brauer and again to Shepard while Florence scored a lone touchdown on a seven-yard run by Logan Thompson.

Playing into the fourth quarter with a 24-14 lead, L-W put together an impressive drive and scored on another Janesch keeper to take a 30-14 lead.

Florence answered quickly, with Kelley covering 49 yards on two passes to Schuls and Thompson and then scoring on a two-yard run and conversion to pull within one score at 30-22 with just 1:07 remaining and no time outs.

Florence’s onside kick attempt was recovered by L-W, which then ran out the clock.

The Rebels advanced to the Level 2 playoffs and face Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas this Friday.

Kelley finished a fine junior season with 18 carries for 87 yards and 91 yards passing. Schuls had 29 yards on 14 carries, adding four catches for 49 yards. Thompson had 20 rushing yards on eight carries and caught two passes for 39 yards.

On defense, junior Bryce Leffler finished an outstanding season with eight tackles and three sacks, upping his school record in sacks to 16.5. Linebacker Joey Holmstrom led Florence’s defense with 11 tackles. Senior defensive end Will Sipple capped a terrific season with eight tackles and two sacks, and Thompson added nine tackles and a sack from his linebacker spot.

Florence finished the season with a 7-2 record and a Northern Border conference championship to its credit.

“Proud of our team and sorry to lose our seniors, but excited for next season, and excited about the coaching staff coming back with Joe Ferris, Kevin Leffler, Jay (Walstrom) and TJ Peterson,” said Walstrom. “I appreciate all the help from A.D Kris Johnson and our film girl, Mrs. Kelley, too, and Tim Wilcox and our custodians for keeping our field and facilities in great shape.”