CUBA CITY - A devastating blow landed Darlington near the bottom of the Southwest Wisconsin Activities League after they lost a 33-0 decision to Cuba City on Friday.
Redbirds coach Scott Zywicki said Cuba City's Kordell Stillmunkes outgunned the Darlington defense.
"Their kids were just much more aggressive," Zywicki said. "They had a difference maker on their team. ... We just don't have that kind of kid."
Stillmunkes was the playmaker in the first quarter, first rushing for a two-yard touchdown within the first two minutes of the game. A 61-yard run by Stillmunkes just four minutes later left the Redbirds staring at 14-0 deficit in the first quarter.
Stillmunkes was the leading rusher of the game, covering 277 yards on 22 carries.
Zywicki credited Redbirds junior quarterback Blake Whalen, stating Whalen made a few quick plays "with his feet," but ultimately missed a few passes. Whalen completed 13 of 23 attempts for a total of 117 yards with no interceptions.
Whalen contributed 66 of the team's total 183 rushing yards, carrying the ball 12 times. Senior Kameron Blosch went 79 yards on 14 carries, and fellow senior Grady Rielly covered 49 on 10 carries.
While the Redbirds held Cuba City to a scoreless third quarter, the team was overwhelmed in the final 12 minutes of the game as their opponent tacked on two more TDs.
Zywicki said Darlington (0-3, 0-1) is currently playing "finesse football," but really needs to be more physical. Though it will take a mental adjustment, not so much a physical one, he added.
The Redbirds lost one fumble and gave up 34 yards on penalties.
Pecatonica-Argyle 51, Benton-Scales Mound 14
BENTON - The Vikings rode an explosive third quarter en route to a victory over Benton-Scales Mound.
Three touchdowns, each run in by a different Pecatonica-Argyle player, followed the close play of the first and second quarters. Junior Mitch Flannery pushed for a successful six-yard touchdown and then added two more points with a quick jaunt to the endzone on a two-point conversion.
Fellow junior Colton Schraeper mimicked his teammate just a few minutes later, adding eight points to give the Vikings a 28-14 lead. Senior Brent Ritschard eeked out one final rushing touchdown with under a minute left in the quarter, accompanied by Schraefer's conversion to tip the match in Pecatonica-Argyle's favor. Ritshard was the lead rusher for the night, covering 135 yards on 16 carries. Flannery followed with 93 yards on five carries.
The Vikings held Benton-Scales Mound to a scoreless second half.
Schraeper was good on his feet, but also took the helm as quarterback, completing a 12-yard pass to Ritshard in the first few minutes to put the Vikings up 8-0. Schraeper was 4-for-5 for a total of 55 yards. Junior Jaden Hendrickson led the Vikings' receivers with one 34-yard catch.
Pecatonica-Argyle leads the Six Rivers Conference at 2-0 and owns a 3-0 record overall.
Beloit Turner 20, Evansville-Albany 14 (OT)
EVANSVILLE - The Blue Devils watched a hard-fought game flip against them when Beloit Turner had a one-yard touchdown run in overtime to win the game.
After a scoreless first half, Evansville-Albany senior Sam Haegele carried the ball for a 20-yard touchdown. Haegele carried the ball nine times for 36 yards in the game.
Beloit Turner scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter and then E-A senior quarterback Zach Mielke responded, tossing an eight-yard pass to lead rusher Logan Katzenmeyer, who punched the ball in for a touchdown, putting the Blue Devils up 14-7.
Katzenmeyer covered 78 yards on 10 carries. Mielke threw six completions off 12 passes for 88 yards. Sophomore Sulley Geske led the team in receiving yards, making two receptions for 63 yards.
The Trojans answered back with seven points of their own, making quick work of another pass to Juan Reyes, who also kicked the extra point, sending the game into overtime.
As the Blue Devils tried to convert during overtime, they could not gain any traction. The Trojans took full advantage of a possession late in overtime, with Emiliano Reyes punching in a one-yard touchdown to seal the victory.
Lakeside Lutheran 27, New Glarus-Monticello 17
LAKE MILLS - The Glarner Knights (1-2) built a 17-14 lead by halftime but were held scoreless in the second half.
"We made a few mistakes that cost us," New Glarus-Monticello coach Jeff Eichelkraut said. "A turnover in the third quarter, and we had some penalties that didn't help."
Senior Tanner Jelle rushed for 68 yards on 17 carries.
Lakeside Lutheran scored 13 unanswered point in the third quarter.
In other area action, Black Hawk defeated New Lisbon 68-6.
Redbirds coach Scott Zywicki said Cuba City's Kordell Stillmunkes outgunned the Darlington defense.
"Their kids were just much more aggressive," Zywicki said. "They had a difference maker on their team. ... We just don't have that kind of kid."
Stillmunkes was the playmaker in the first quarter, first rushing for a two-yard touchdown within the first two minutes of the game. A 61-yard run by Stillmunkes just four minutes later left the Redbirds staring at 14-0 deficit in the first quarter.
Stillmunkes was the leading rusher of the game, covering 277 yards on 22 carries.
Zywicki credited Redbirds junior quarterback Blake Whalen, stating Whalen made a few quick plays "with his feet," but ultimately missed a few passes. Whalen completed 13 of 23 attempts for a total of 117 yards with no interceptions.
Whalen contributed 66 of the team's total 183 rushing yards, carrying the ball 12 times. Senior Kameron Blosch went 79 yards on 14 carries, and fellow senior Grady Rielly covered 49 on 10 carries.
While the Redbirds held Cuba City to a scoreless third quarter, the team was overwhelmed in the final 12 minutes of the game as their opponent tacked on two more TDs.
Zywicki said Darlington (0-3, 0-1) is currently playing "finesse football," but really needs to be more physical. Though it will take a mental adjustment, not so much a physical one, he added.
The Redbirds lost one fumble and gave up 34 yards on penalties.
Pecatonica-Argyle 51, Benton-Scales Mound 14
BENTON - The Vikings rode an explosive third quarter en route to a victory over Benton-Scales Mound.
Three touchdowns, each run in by a different Pecatonica-Argyle player, followed the close play of the first and second quarters. Junior Mitch Flannery pushed for a successful six-yard touchdown and then added two more points with a quick jaunt to the endzone on a two-point conversion.
Fellow junior Colton Schraeper mimicked his teammate just a few minutes later, adding eight points to give the Vikings a 28-14 lead. Senior Brent Ritschard eeked out one final rushing touchdown with under a minute left in the quarter, accompanied by Schraefer's conversion to tip the match in Pecatonica-Argyle's favor. Ritshard was the lead rusher for the night, covering 135 yards on 16 carries. Flannery followed with 93 yards on five carries.
The Vikings held Benton-Scales Mound to a scoreless second half.
Schraeper was good on his feet, but also took the helm as quarterback, completing a 12-yard pass to Ritshard in the first few minutes to put the Vikings up 8-0. Schraeper was 4-for-5 for a total of 55 yards. Junior Jaden Hendrickson led the Vikings' receivers with one 34-yard catch.
Pecatonica-Argyle leads the Six Rivers Conference at 2-0 and owns a 3-0 record overall.
Beloit Turner 20, Evansville-Albany 14 (OT)
EVANSVILLE - The Blue Devils watched a hard-fought game flip against them when Beloit Turner had a one-yard touchdown run in overtime to win the game.
After a scoreless first half, Evansville-Albany senior Sam Haegele carried the ball for a 20-yard touchdown. Haegele carried the ball nine times for 36 yards in the game.
Beloit Turner scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter and then E-A senior quarterback Zach Mielke responded, tossing an eight-yard pass to lead rusher Logan Katzenmeyer, who punched the ball in for a touchdown, putting the Blue Devils up 14-7.
Katzenmeyer covered 78 yards on 10 carries. Mielke threw six completions off 12 passes for 88 yards. Sophomore Sulley Geske led the team in receiving yards, making two receptions for 63 yards.
The Trojans answered back with seven points of their own, making quick work of another pass to Juan Reyes, who also kicked the extra point, sending the game into overtime.
As the Blue Devils tried to convert during overtime, they could not gain any traction. The Trojans took full advantage of a possession late in overtime, with Emiliano Reyes punching in a one-yard touchdown to seal the victory.
Lakeside Lutheran 27, New Glarus-Monticello 17
LAKE MILLS - The Glarner Knights (1-2) built a 17-14 lead by halftime but were held scoreless in the second half.
"We made a few mistakes that cost us," New Glarus-Monticello coach Jeff Eichelkraut said. "A turnover in the third quarter, and we had some penalties that didn't help."
Senior Tanner Jelle rushed for 68 yards on 17 carries.
Lakeside Lutheran scored 13 unanswered point in the third quarter.
In other area action, Black Hawk defeated New Lisbon 68-6.
