MADISON, Wis. — The D-III Wisconsin State Championship high school football game was one for the ages.
The memorable game is thanks in-part to senior running back Christian Collins, from Green Bay Notre Dame Academy, who had a historic day on the gridiron.
In the first half, Christian Collins had 173 yards rushing and two touchdowns, but the Tritons only held a seven-point lead. Christian Collins said head coach Michael Rader’s message was to keep the momentum going and keep the foot on the gas.
“I go into every game thinking that it's going to be a monster game, especially in the state championship,” Christian Collins said. “We just want to play to the best of our ability. And that's how we do it, just pound the rock.”
It seemed Christian Collins got better as the game went on. That included scoring two long touchdowns in the second half.
“There's no better feeling when you see open field,” he said. “Especially in a high-pressure environment like that. It's extremely relieving when you're in that touchdown.”
Christian Collins finished off his day with rushing 408 yards rushing, which broke a state record. He tied another state record with five touchdowns.
Christian Collins was not the only Collins to score. His twin brother Jack Collins also added to the score during the game.
Their father Kevin Collins said this moment was years in the making and it was amazing to witness as a parent.
“I don't think it gets better than this,” Kevin Collins said. “This is what they've been playing for, dreaming for, the entire four years of high school and to make it happen... There's not many kids that can come in and dream like that and come out with the victory.”
Rader said the team executed the game plan flawlessly. He also said this game says a lot about who Christian Collins is as an athlete.
“He is a better player today than he was on week one,” Rader said. “He just he kept getting better, learning all the different things that you need to do to be a good running back. And so obviously, to have a performance like this in the State Championship is phenomenal.”
Christian Collins finished the year with over 3,000 yards rushing, which is the top total in the state.
Plus, he helped lead the Tritons to their first title since 2015.
“It's indescribable… I mean, it's the best feeling,” Christian Collins said. “We've been saying it since freshman year and ever since the beginning of senior year, we've been saying November 22nd. That was a date we had scheduled. So that's something we've really embraced and something that we executed.”
The final score for the D-III State Title Game was 49-28, with the Notre Dame Tritons reigning victorious over the Catholic Memorial Crusaders. Notre Dame finished the season undefeated, 14-0.