BRODHEAD — After an uncharacteristic two-game regular season losing streak, Brodhead/Juda (7-2, 5-2 SWC) bounced back against Lancaster (6-3, 4-3) on Friday, Oct. 14.
“The last time we lost two games in a row is at least four or five years ago,” Brodhead/Juda head coach Jim Matthys said. “I’m proud of them to see the whole team bounce back from that. Now we have some momentum going into the playoffs.”
The Cardinals began the game with an interception in the endzone by Gunner Boegli, setting Brodhead up offensively at the 20.
On its opening drive, Brodhead scored on an 81-yard rushing touchdown by Isaac Saunders. Gabe Bockhop’s extra point was blocked.
Brodhead’s defense came up big again on Lancaster’s second drive, starting with a tackle for loss by David Masloske. The Cardinal secondary broke up the next two passes, but a roughing-the-passer penalty gave the Flying Arrows 15 yards and a fresh set of downs.
Despite a fourth-and-goal opportunity, Lancaster failed to convert, turning the ball over on downs.
In the Flying Arrows’ first possession of the second quarter, Peyton Alvarado ran for a touchdown to tie the game at six. Brodhead’s defense jumped offsides on the extra point, setting Lancaster up for a two-point conversion, instead. Logan Wolf gave Lancaster the 8-6 lead with his run.
The Flying Arrows returned the favor on the next drive, committing penalties of their own. On his reception, Saunders was tackled by the facemask, giving Brodhead 15 yards. On the next play, Aiden Vondra ran to the outside for a touchdown.
The Cardinals attempted a two-point conversion, but Bockhop’s pass was tipped. Downfield Lancaster’s Paxton Hanke tackled Blake Matthys after the play had been ruled dead. Getting off the ground, Hanke then kicked Matthys in the helmet. The 15-yard unsportsman-like conduct was enforced on the kick-off.
Neither team scored in the remainder of the first half.
To start the third quarter, Bockhop connected with Boegli for a touchdown. With Vondra’s two-point conversion, Brodhead took a 20-8 lead.
The mood shifted quickly, though, as B. Matthys was called for helmet to helmet on a tackle that appeared to be clean.
“They weren’t happy about it,” J. Matthys said of the adversity his team had to face. “We can’t control those kinds of things.”
Luckily, the penalty didn’t end up hurting the Cardinals, as the Flying Arrows were forced to punt after a fumbled snap.
Facing three and out on Brodhead’s subsequent drive, Bockhop threw laser to Saunders. After the extra point, the Cardinals led 27-8.
“What I feel changed in the second half was our defense,” J. Matthys said of the energy shift. “We only ran 14 plays in the first half. In the second, we ran at least 28. We were getting the ball back into our offense’s hands.”
Brodhead’s offense scored twice in the fourth quarter, both involving Vondra. His first touchdown was a pass from Bockhop, followed by run.
Lancaster had a chance to score in the closing minutes, but Marcus McIntyre broke up the pass. The Cardinals received the ball on downs and ran the remaining time off the clock.
Bockhop was 6-for-7 for 249 yards. He targeted Saunders, Boegli and Vondra twice each. With 35.6 yards per attempt and 85.7 completion percentage, it was arguably Bockhop’s best performance of the season. Saunders led all rushers with 108 yards, while Vondra had a team-leading 99 receiving yards.
Defensively, five players had double digit tackles: McIntyre (15), Joe Lohmar (14), B. Matthys (13), Vondra (12) and CJ Streuly (10).
Brodhead’s seniors — Leon Saunders, Sean Huffman, Dawson Blum, Austin Moe, Streuly and Vondra — celebrated Senior Night with a win.
“It’s a nice win for them, something they won’t forget,” J. Matthys said of his senior class. “It’s something we talked about all week. If you want to play at home for the playoffs, you have to win.”
The victory, in fact, did earn Brodhead a home playoff game. The team will host Watertown Luther Prep (4-5, 3-4 Metro) on Friday, Oct. 21.
