September 2026

MADISON — Perhaps nothing in football displays toughness, grit and strength quite like the 4-minute offense.

The offensive team tries running out the clock, typically by pounding the ball. The opposing defense almost always knows what’s coming.

So it’s mano a mano, may be the best man win.

On Sept. 4, with its season at a tipping point, Middleton’s football team won the 4-minute battle — and the war — with host Madison Memorial.

The Cardinals grinded out the final 5 minutes, 52 seconds, made sure the surging Spartans didn’t touch the ball again and left Mansfield Stadium with a thrilling 28-20 victory.

Middleton, desperate for a win after dropping its first two games of the season, improved to 1-2 overall and 1-0 in the Big Eight Conference. Memorial fell to 1-2, 0-1.

Go big or go home.

That’s the choice Middleton’s football team made in the final moments of their game at Kenosha Indian Trail on Aug. 28.

The Cardinals eventually went home, but not with the result they wanted.

Middleton scored a late touchdown and closed within 24-23 against the host Hawks. The Cardinals two-point conversion failed, though, and MHS exited with a painful, one-point loss.

Middleton fell to 0-2, while KIT improved to 2-0.

“It just felt like the right time to go for two,” Middleton co-coach Tim Simon said. “We had just put together a great drive and had the momentum. It just didn't work out.”

The Cardinals led most of the night, before KIT struck for a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns and grabbed a 24-17 lead.

Middleton answered, though, with an impressive drive that wound up in the endzone — thanks to some good fortune.

Team First. You Second. Me Last. 

That’s the motto Middleton’s girls volleyball team is carrying into the fall, and the Cardinals believe if they follow that plan of attack, big things could await.

The Cardinals began their new season Tuesday hosting Madison East. And first-year coach McKenzie Johns is highly encouraged by what she’s seen so far from her Cardinals.

“This is one of the most coachable groups of athletes I’ve ever worked with, not to mention the accountability the girls hold for each other from early morning lifts, to in-practice and even outside of practice,” Johns said. “Everyone dreams of a state run and that’s every coaches dream.

“(MHS athletic director) Brad Crandell and I had the conversation that Middleton is the largest school in Wisconsin. With girls volleyball being one of the most competitive sports at Middleton, it’s time to work. It’s time to hit the ground running.”

The golf was secondary.

The scores were somewhat irrelevant.

Instead, fundraising, camaraderie and togetherness were once again the story at the fifth annual Coaches vs. Cancer Team Scramble — co-hosted by Middleton and Waunakee — on Aug. 24 at Maple Bluff Country Club.

The 24 teams combined to raise nearly $40,000 for the American Cancer Society. Middleton led the way raising $11,841.

“I’m so proud of the girls for coming together to support such an important cause,” Middleton coach Becky Halverson said. “The event means a lot to us, and I’m grateful they get to be part of it.”

Madison Edgewood and Bay Port tied for the championship with 63s, while Sussex Hamilton (64), DeForest (65) and Milton (65) rounded out the top five (65).

Middleton tied for seventh with a 67.