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The No. 5 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team saw its magical 2018 season come to an end Saturday afternoon, falling 31-14 at No. 2 Mary Hardin-Baylor in a semifinal of the NCAA Division III Championship at Crusader Stadium in Belton, Texas.
 
The Warhawks (13-1 overall) claimed the program's 36th Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship and the 11th appearance in the national semifinals in team history in 2018.
 
Junior running back Ronny Ponick (Stanley, Wis./Stanley-Boyd) led the UW-Whitewater offense with 14 carries for 70 yards and a one-yard touchdown run with 5:47 to play in the fourth quarter that brought the team within 10 points.
 
The Crusaders (14-0), who advance to face No. 1 Mount Union (Ohio) in Friday's Stagg Bowl national championship game, converted a crucial third-and-eight on their way to a game-clinching touchdown with 2:33 remaining in the contest.
 
Senior quarterback Cole Wilber (Mission Viejo, Calif./Dana Hills) finished his Warhawk career with 107 yards and a 2-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Bryce Bellefeuille (DeForest, Wis./DeForest) in the third quarter that put UW-Whitewater on the board.
 
Junior linebacker Matt Anderson (Rockford, Ill./Lutheran) posted a team-best 13 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss and one sack. Junior linebacker Jacob Erbs (Reedsburg, Wis./Reedsburg) tallied 11 tackles, and senior linebacker Bryce Leszczynski (Milwaukee, Wis./Pius XI) collected 10 tackles and an interception that he returned for 64 yards in the third quarter.
 
Senior defensive end Harry Henschler (Janesville, Wis./Craig) totaled seven tackles, including two for a loss, and junior defensive back Nate Tranel (Lancaster, Wis./Lancaster) posted six tackles and two pass breakups.