Thursday, September 19, 2024
Serving Algoma, Casco, Kewaunee, Luxemburg and all of Kewaunee County
BY JOSH STALOCH
SPORTS EDITOR
KEWAUNEE – The Kewaunee High football team is moving on to Level 2, where it will host Cedar Grove Belgium, following a 42-0 win over Oconto in Division 6 playoff action on Friday.
“I think our defense definitely came through tonight,” said Kewaunee head coach Randy Charles of his squad’s shutout effort to begin the postseason. “They played solid, consistent football and you definitely need that this time of year. If you want to do anything in the playoffs, you have to have all phases of the game working for you.”
A Kewaunee turnover on the second play of the game put the Storm in a tough spot but MItchell Boeder got the ball back for the home team a few plays later by forcing an Oconto fumble.
Taking over at the Oconto 31, the Storm went to work, with Owen Carlson and DJ Echols chipping away at the Blue Devils’ defense and moving Kewaunee into enemy territory.
Quarterback Thomas Stangel came up with the first big play for the offense by ripping off a big run on third-and-seven to get the ball down to the Oconto four, absorbing a big hit at the end of the run.
DJ Echols took it in on the next play to give Kewaunee a 6-0 lead following a missed extra-point attempt.
The Kewaunee defense was not at all hospitable to the Blue Devils on Friday, shutting things down on the ensuing drive to the tune of a quick third-and 17 that brought out the punting unit. This gave Maddix Mueller an opportunity to redeem himself for the rare miss he just had on the extra point and he made the most of it, getting through a wave of Oconto tacklers and upfield for a 67-yard touchdown.
A 13-0 advantage after one quarter of play turned into a 35-0 lead going into halftime as the Storm got a 17-yard scoring run from Owen Carlson on its next possession, followed by a 21-yard TD rush from Stangel.
The Kewaunee defense then shut down one of Oconto’s better drives of the evening by forcing another fumble for a turnover. A four-yard reception for Mueller from Stangel put the home team up 35-0 with half a minute left in the half, putting the game out of reach.
LUXEMBURG – The Luxemburg-Casco Spartans were also successful against a familiar opponent in Level 1. The Spartans took down Little Chute 37-6 and will face Kiel next Friday.
