NEW GLARUS - The first drive of the night was a bad omen for the New Glarus-Monticello football team.
The Glarner Knights drove downfield to Lodi's 28-yard-line, then fumbled. It was one of three first-half turnovers that proved costly, as New Glarus-Monticello fell 21-7 to the Blue Devils.
"Sometimes you just have to tip your hat to the other team," New Glarus-Monticello coach Jeff Eichelkraut said. "We made some big plays, but when you play a good program like Lodi you can't make mistakes."
Lodi led all night, scoring after the Knights' first fumble on junior running back Tyler Caldwell's (208 yards, 30 carries) touchdown run.
New Glarus-Monticello's offense began to regain its rhythm on its third drive, reaching the Lodi 12-yard-line on a pass from senior Ryan Bright to senior Cameron Jeglum before another fumble and turnover.
The Knights paid for their third turnover of the half, an interception, as the Blue Devils ran, passed and even used a fake punt to drive for a score and a 14-0 halftime lead.
A Lodi miscue on its first drive in the second half kept New Glarus-Monticello alive. After the Blue Devils marched downfield, the Knights intercepted a pass at their own 2.
They followed with an impressive 98-yard drive that ended with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Bright to Jeglum to cut the deficit to 14-7.
"We played with a high level of intensity," Eichelkraut said. "We won the third quarter and we put together a long drive."
But it wasn't enough, as Lodi answered with a 70-yard, seven-minute drive. Caldwell hit the line hard every time he got the ball, and ate up chunks of yardage the Glarner Knights couldn't afford to give up.
Despite encouragement from the fans and coaches, New Glarus-Monticello's defense allowed Caldwell to cross the goal line to put the Blue Devils up by two touchdowns with about 11:25 to play in the game.
"They found their stride on a long drive," Eichelkraut said of Lodi's offense.
Any chance the Knights had to rally effectively ended with their third fumble with just more than eight minutes left.
Bright completed 7 of 12 passes for 132 yards. He also led New Glarus-Monticello with 67 yards on 11 rushes. Jeglum and junior Tyler Dorn each had two catches for 47 yards.
The Glarner Knights drove downfield to Lodi's 28-yard-line, then fumbled. It was one of three first-half turnovers that proved costly, as New Glarus-Monticello fell 21-7 to the Blue Devils.
"Sometimes you just have to tip your hat to the other team," New Glarus-Monticello coach Jeff Eichelkraut said. "We made some big plays, but when you play a good program like Lodi you can't make mistakes."
Lodi led all night, scoring after the Knights' first fumble on junior running back Tyler Caldwell's (208 yards, 30 carries) touchdown run.
New Glarus-Monticello's offense began to regain its rhythm on its third drive, reaching the Lodi 12-yard-line on a pass from senior Ryan Bright to senior Cameron Jeglum before another fumble and turnover.
The Knights paid for their third turnover of the half, an interception, as the Blue Devils ran, passed and even used a fake punt to drive for a score and a 14-0 halftime lead.
A Lodi miscue on its first drive in the second half kept New Glarus-Monticello alive. After the Blue Devils marched downfield, the Knights intercepted a pass at their own 2.
They followed with an impressive 98-yard drive that ended with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Bright to Jeglum to cut the deficit to 14-7.
"We played with a high level of intensity," Eichelkraut said. "We won the third quarter and we put together a long drive."
But it wasn't enough, as Lodi answered with a 70-yard, seven-minute drive. Caldwell hit the line hard every time he got the ball, and ate up chunks of yardage the Glarner Knights couldn't afford to give up.
Despite encouragement from the fans and coaches, New Glarus-Monticello's defense allowed Caldwell to cross the goal line to put the Blue Devils up by two touchdowns with about 11:25 to play in the game.
"They found their stride on a long drive," Eichelkraut said of Lodi's offense.
Any chance the Knights had to rally effectively ended with their third fumble with just more than eight minutes left.
Bright completed 7 of 12 passes for 132 yards. He also led New Glarus-Monticello with 67 yards on 11 rushes. Jeglum and junior Tyler Dorn each had two catches for 47 yards.
