Football: Marathon stays undefeated with shutout win at Crandon

The Marathon football team used offense, defense and special teams to stay perfect in 2026 as the Red Raiders moved to 3-0 on the season with a 19-0 win at Crandon Thursday night in a game that was broadcast on Wausau Area Sports. Crandon dropped to 0-3 with the loss.

For the third straight week it was a big night for senior Garrett Bracewell. Bracewell, who came into the game ranked second in the state in receptions, added 8 more catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns plus had two interceptions on defense. Bracewell got Marathon on the board late in the 2nd quarter on a 43 yard catch and run to put the Raiders up 6-0 with 1:45 left in the first half. The drive started after Marathon's Owen Chrouser recovered a fumble on a botched snap at the Marathon 35 when it looked like Crandon might take the lead late in the half. Turnovers hurt the Cardinals in the game as they had five total giveaways, including 3 in the first half.

It would stay 6-0 until late in the third quarter when Bracewell took a shovel pass from Brayson Schneider and went 71 yards for a touchdown that extended the Marathon lead to 13-0 with 3:09 to go in the third. Schneider would then add field goals of 22 and 26 yards in the fourth quarter to finish the scoring in the 19-0 Marathon win.

Schneider finished 13 of 18 passing for 211 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. It was the 3rd straight 200 yard passing game for the sophomore. The Marathon defense continues to impress and have not allowed an offensive touchdown in regulation since the first quarter of last week's game at Auburndale. The inside linebacker duo of Landon Hilgart and Koltyn Stevens continued to wrack up the tackles and safety Cameron Sessions added an interception.

Crandon was led by quarterback Nolan Bradley, who gained 122 yards on 20 carries. However, the 5-0 turnover deficit was too much to overcome for the Cardinals. Marathon will return to action next Friday at home against Amherst in a Central Wisconsin Conference game.