UNION GROVE - Cody McClelland knew what was at stake.

After New Berlin West scored a touchdown to take a 25-21 lead in the fourth quarter, the Union Grove quarterback knew the Broncos needed to score to keep their storybook season alive.

McClelland didn't mince any words when he gathered his offensive teammates together following the Vikings' touchdown.

"I told them, 'Let's man up. Let's play with pride,' " McClelland said.

The Broncos heeded his words. With McClelland leading the way, the Broncos fashioned a 65-yard scoring drive for a 28-25 victory over New Berlin West in a WIAA Division 3 state first-round playoff game at Laverty Field.

The victory advances the Broncos (7-3) into the second round of the playoffs against Wisconsin Lutheran, which advanced with a 38-14 victory over Milwaukee Lutheran. The Broncos will play Wisconsin Lutheran (8-2) Saturday at Wisconsin Lutheran, at a time that has yet to be determined.

If the Broncos keep playing the way they have in their last five games - all victories - Union Grove coach Scott McBride is confident his team can hold its own against Wisconsin Lutheran.

"This team has really come together,'' McBride said. "The last five weeks they've been playing very well.''

Not coincidentally, that's when McBride and his staff made a bold decision to switch from a pro-style offense to the wishbone. The switch has been a smashing success, thanks in part to Dan Vyvyan, who rushed for 212 yards and two touchdowns against New Berlin West, and McClelland who has done an admirable job running the newly-installed offense.

McClelland was a model of composure in the crucial fourth-quarter drive against New Berlin West (5-5). The junior quarterback made several key plays, starting with his keeper on fourth down to keep the drive alive at the Broncos 45.

Then, on second-and-10 from Union Grove's 45, McClelland made a beautiful fake handoff before throwing a pinpoint pass to Tyler Kerkman streaking down the right sideline. The result was a 50-yard completion, putting the ball at New Berlin West's 5-yard line.

"I just said to myself, 'Just get the ball to him,' '' McClelland said, referring to Kerkman, who had been the starting quarterback. "I knew if I did that, he would catch it.''

Added McBride: "That was a beautiful pass. That was huge.''

McClelland capped off his sequence of terrific plays when, after faking handoffs to Guy Keeku and Dan Vyvyan that sucked in the West defense, he sprinted to the outside and into the end zone. Brett Epping kicked the extra point, giving Union Grove a 28-25 advantage.

The Broncos' defense then did its job, recording three straight big-time plays. After New Berlin West moved to Union Grove's 37-yard line with 3:31 left, Broncos defensive lineman Drew Torres sacked Vikings quarterback Dominique Bledsoe for an 8-yard loss.

Kerkman followed by breaking up a pass, and Torres and Dan Annear collaborated on sacking Bledsoe on fourth-and-four with 2:44 remaining to virtually seal the outcome.

"I never thought this would happen to me,'' an elated McClelland said. "I never wanted Tyler to get hurt, but I knew I could do it. I just had to be ready.''