The Niagara Badgers exploded for 22 points in the third quarter on their way to a 42-6 decision over White Lake/Elcho Saturday afternoon at Elcho High School.

Brayden Bartels rushed for a 47-yard touchdown on the first play of the third quarter to ignite the Niagara offense.

“We didn’t play well on offense as a whole in the first half, but we made some big plays, and our defense shut them out,” Badgers coach Benjamin Laarman said. “We scored on the first play of the second half, and that got us going for a much better half.”

After Bartels’ score, Sawyer Rouse picked up a fumble and ran 52 yards for a touchdown. Rouse then added a 50-yard scamper to push Niagara’s scoring to 38.

Jesse Wahlstrom then closed the night in style for the Badgers (3-3) with a 99-yard scoring run in the fourth.

In the first half, Bartels threw two TD passes – the first a 77-yarder to Wyatt Dunkes and the second a 27-yard strike to Connor Guardiola.

Bartels rushed 15 times for 99 yards with one touchdown and completed 10 of 12 passes for 142 yards and two TDs. On defense, Bartels forced a fumble and intercepted a pass.

Also for the Niagara defense, Guardiola posted nine tackles with 3.5 for loss, Wyatt Dunkes recorded six tackles with 2.5 tackles for losses and Owen Dunkes recorded six tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss.

Next up for the Badgers is a home matchup with Laona/Wabeno (6-0) this Friday.