DARLINGTON - Running back Jason Singer rushed for 180 yards and scored two touchdowns to help Darlington move one step closer to an outright Southwest Wisconsin Activities League championship with a 34-7 win over Cuba City at Martens Field Friday.
"We do get to control our own destiny," Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said. "We don't have to rely on someone else to do the job for us. It's something you strive for. We have to take advantage now that we are in first place. We have to finish the season as strong as we have been playing."
Singer scored a third touchdown on a 7-yard pass from senior quarterback Cole McDonald in the fourth quarter. Singer also was part of a strong effort for the Redbirds' defense with two interceptions.
Darlington senior fullback Myles Leahy rumbled for a 10-yard TD run on the Redbirds' first drive to give Darlington an 8-0 lead.
Darlington's Hunter Johnson rushed for 101 yards on 12 carries and scored one touchdown as the Redbirds racked up 375 total rushing yards. Leahy rushed for 79 yards on 19 carries in his first game back after missing two games as a precaution due to an ankle injury. McDonald completed 4-of-9 passes for 47 yards with one touchdown.
Darlington (6-1, 5-0 SWAL) had some struggles in the red zone in the first half. The Redbirds had two possessions in the red zone and didn't score any points.
The Redbirds drove down to the Cubans' 2-yard line and had a golden opportunity at the start of the second quarter. Facing fourth-and-2, the Cubans stuffed Leahy to force a turnover on downs. On the Redbirds' third drive, Hunter Johnson fumbled and the Cubans recovered.
"It's just magnified when you get down there because you think you should have some points," Zywicki said. "Penalties just killed us. We can't have the penalties and the mental errors."
Singer took a handoff on a counter and raced for a 26-yard TD run with 3 minutes, 43 seconds to go in the second quarter to give the Redbirds a 14-0 lead. Singer also came up big with an interception late in the second quarter to thwart a Cubans' drive.
Singer bolted for an 85-yard TD run in the third quarter to give the Redbirds a 20-0 lead. The Redbirds' defense limited the Cubans to 156 total yards and shifted senior Brett Erickson from linebacker to defensive tackle due to an injury and moved Leahy in at linebacker.
"Brett is a versatile player who can play linebacker or defensive tackle," Zywicki said. "He's probably more comfortable at tackle. Brett did a great job on their fullback. Our defense did an exceptional job. Our secondary played extremely well."
Evansville-Albany 41, Whitewater 6
EVANSVILLE - Whitewater never had a chance against Evansville-Albany, which had a runaway victory 41-6.
Evansville-Albany coach Ron Grovesteen said Friday was a "great team win," and was good preparation for a playoff push in the next two weeks. Grovesteen said their offensive line put in the work to help the team gain yards.
"We were doing a good job on our offensive line ... but we have to work on our pass defense," Grovesteen said.
The Blue Devils (4-3, 3-1 Rock Valley North) started out strong with a touchdown in the first quarter, followed by 20 points in the second, and 14 in the third. Whitewater put up its only touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Evansville-Albany had a total of 264 yards, 45 in passing and 219 rushing. Zach Mielke went 2-for-5 in passing, with both of his completions finding Kyle Rutkowski.
Nate Redders had a strong rushing game off of 13 attempts, running for 99 yards. Fullback Ryker Brown had nine attempts for 51 yards.
Grovesteen said his team will have to work hard to get into the playoffs.
"East High is good and McFarland is better, we will just have to see," he said.
Evansville-Albany plays East High Friday, Oct. 10 and McFarland on Friday, Oct. 17.
Waterloo 21
NG-Monticello 14, NEW GLARUS - The Glarner Knights almost came back to win in the fourth quarter Friday, but Waterloo came out ahead 21-14.
Coach Desie Breadon said the game came down to the last two minutes, which has been typical of the Knights' season this year. This loss puts New Glarus-Monticello (1-6, 0-3) out of the playoffs, but Breadon said he wants to end the season on a high note.
"I told the team if they get nothing out of this season they should realize they have so much potential as people, and I don't want them to do just enough," Breadon said.
New Glarus-Monticello has nine seniors playing this year, and Breadon said he wants to see his team move on and realize their potential "in the army, as students, as husbands and fathers."
The Knights lost the game despite racking up more yards - 283 to Waterloo's 227. The Knights had 195 rushing yards and 88 passing yards. Quarterback Gavin Binger had 11 rushing attempts for 72 yards. Binger was 7-for-14 passing and threw one touchdown with no interceptions. Wide receiver Tanner Hofer had four catches for 62 yards and one touchdown.
New Glarus-Monticello had a staggering 10 penalties, costing them 85 yards. Waterloo also had a lot of penalties, seven costing them 50 yards. The Knights also lost two fumbles out of their three dropped balls. Waterloo lost one fumble. It was a slow, grinding game, with the first 14 points scored by Waterloo after the half and seven points in the fourth quarter. New Glarus-Monticello never quite got their momentum but scored 14 in the fourth quarter.
The Knights will play Wisconsin Heights Friday, Oct. 11, and their final game of the season is Oct. 17 against Belleville.
"We do get to control our own destiny," Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said. "We don't have to rely on someone else to do the job for us. It's something you strive for. We have to take advantage now that we are in first place. We have to finish the season as strong as we have been playing."
Singer scored a third touchdown on a 7-yard pass from senior quarterback Cole McDonald in the fourth quarter. Singer also was part of a strong effort for the Redbirds' defense with two interceptions.
Darlington senior fullback Myles Leahy rumbled for a 10-yard TD run on the Redbirds' first drive to give Darlington an 8-0 lead.
Darlington's Hunter Johnson rushed for 101 yards on 12 carries and scored one touchdown as the Redbirds racked up 375 total rushing yards. Leahy rushed for 79 yards on 19 carries in his first game back after missing two games as a precaution due to an ankle injury. McDonald completed 4-of-9 passes for 47 yards with one touchdown.
Darlington (6-1, 5-0 SWAL) had some struggles in the red zone in the first half. The Redbirds had two possessions in the red zone and didn't score any points.
The Redbirds drove down to the Cubans' 2-yard line and had a golden opportunity at the start of the second quarter. Facing fourth-and-2, the Cubans stuffed Leahy to force a turnover on downs. On the Redbirds' third drive, Hunter Johnson fumbled and the Cubans recovered.
"It's just magnified when you get down there because you think you should have some points," Zywicki said. "Penalties just killed us. We can't have the penalties and the mental errors."
Singer took a handoff on a counter and raced for a 26-yard TD run with 3 minutes, 43 seconds to go in the second quarter to give the Redbirds a 14-0 lead. Singer also came up big with an interception late in the second quarter to thwart a Cubans' drive.
Singer bolted for an 85-yard TD run in the third quarter to give the Redbirds a 20-0 lead. The Redbirds' defense limited the Cubans to 156 total yards and shifted senior Brett Erickson from linebacker to defensive tackle due to an injury and moved Leahy in at linebacker.
"Brett is a versatile player who can play linebacker or defensive tackle," Zywicki said. "He's probably more comfortable at tackle. Brett did a great job on their fullback. Our defense did an exceptional job. Our secondary played extremely well."
Evansville-Albany 41, Whitewater 6
EVANSVILLE - Whitewater never had a chance against Evansville-Albany, which had a runaway victory 41-6.
Evansville-Albany coach Ron Grovesteen said Friday was a "great team win," and was good preparation for a playoff push in the next two weeks. Grovesteen said their offensive line put in the work to help the team gain yards.
"We were doing a good job on our offensive line ... but we have to work on our pass defense," Grovesteen said.
The Blue Devils (4-3, 3-1 Rock Valley North) started out strong with a touchdown in the first quarter, followed by 20 points in the second, and 14 in the third. Whitewater put up its only touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Evansville-Albany had a total of 264 yards, 45 in passing and 219 rushing. Zach Mielke went 2-for-5 in passing, with both of his completions finding Kyle Rutkowski.
Nate Redders had a strong rushing game off of 13 attempts, running for 99 yards. Fullback Ryker Brown had nine attempts for 51 yards.
Grovesteen said his team will have to work hard to get into the playoffs.
"East High is good and McFarland is better, we will just have to see," he said.
Evansville-Albany plays East High Friday, Oct. 10 and McFarland on Friday, Oct. 17.
Waterloo 21
NG-Monticello 14, NEW GLARUS - The Glarner Knights almost came back to win in the fourth quarter Friday, but Waterloo came out ahead 21-14.
Coach Desie Breadon said the game came down to the last two minutes, which has been typical of the Knights' season this year. This loss puts New Glarus-Monticello (1-6, 0-3) out of the playoffs, but Breadon said he wants to end the season on a high note.
"I told the team if they get nothing out of this season they should realize they have so much potential as people, and I don't want them to do just enough," Breadon said.
New Glarus-Monticello has nine seniors playing this year, and Breadon said he wants to see his team move on and realize their potential "in the army, as students, as husbands and fathers."
The Knights lost the game despite racking up more yards - 283 to Waterloo's 227. The Knights had 195 rushing yards and 88 passing yards. Quarterback Gavin Binger had 11 rushing attempts for 72 yards. Binger was 7-for-14 passing and threw one touchdown with no interceptions. Wide receiver Tanner Hofer had four catches for 62 yards and one touchdown.
New Glarus-Monticello had a staggering 10 penalties, costing them 85 yards. Waterloo also had a lot of penalties, seven costing them 50 yards. The Knights also lost two fumbles out of their three dropped balls. Waterloo lost one fumble. It was a slow, grinding game, with the first 14 points scored by Waterloo after the half and seven points in the fourth quarter. New Glarus-Monticello never quite got their momentum but scored 14 in the fourth quarter.
The Knights will play Wisconsin Heights Friday, Oct. 11, and their final game of the season is Oct. 17 against Belleville.
