Football team takes down Whitewater, 17-7
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
The East Troy High School football team had been putting points on the scoreboard in bunches through the first four games of the 2017 campaign.
That’s not always going to be the path to a victory, however – sometimes a team needs to win a grinder.
And that’s just what the Trojans did Friday night.
East Troy scored 17 points and turned to its defense to hold down host Whitewater in a hard-fought 17-7 victory that improved the Trojans to 4-1 overall, good for a second-place tie in the Rock Valley Conference.
Having to battle for every inch against a team like Whitewater – which fell to 0-5 – is a sign of the fight of his team, East Troy coach Jeff Crandall said.
“Our players faced some adversity, as Whitewater played a great game,” he said. “Our players battle to the end.”
After a scoreless first quarter, the Whippets took the lead at 7-0 on a 17-yard touchdown run by Daniel Fuller with 3:31 left before halftime.
It looked like that’s how the opening half may end, but East Troy quarterback Jake Dessart his Jacob Price on a 13-yard scoring strike, and after Brett Wojciechowski’s extra point, the game was back to even at the intermission.
“The (scoring) play was a sprint out,” Crandall said. “Price was able to break free, and Dessart made a good throw.”
Wojciechowski broke the tie for good a little less than two minutes into the fourth quarter when he drilled a 23-yard field goal to give East Troy a 10-7 lead.
Having another weapon like Wojciechowski certainly paid dividends Friday night, Crandall said.
“Brett has done an outstanding job,” he said. “He has been a very consistent kicker for us, and it is a great weapon to have. He has a great leg and is very accurate.”
East Troy closed out the scoring late in the fourth quarter when Dessart scored on a 14-yard run.
Dessart completed 9-of-17 passes for 129 yards and added 69 yards rushing on 12 carries. Dylan Jakscht led the rushing corps with 12 carries for 91 yards, followed by Quintin Schoville with 14 carries for 74 yards.
Price caught nine passes for 96 yards to lead the Trojans’ aerial attack.
Crandall continues to be pleased with the work of his offensive line.
“(They) did a great job opening holes for all the ball carriers,” he said. “Our line has played great all year. The linemen are a hard-working group of players who come to practice and work to get better each day.
“Having a balanced rushing attack is what we are always looking for.”
Crandall was equally as pleased with his team’s defense, which allowed just the first-half touchdown before it clamped down on the Whippets.
“Our defensive unit played well,” he said. “They have been better and better each week, and this week, they came together and played a great game.”
Next up for the Trojans is another tough RVC battle Friday night when they host Jefferson at 7 p.m. The Eagles dropped their first game of the season, 32-7 to Clinton last week.
Crandall knows his squad has a big challenge ahead.
“When you play Jefferson you have to take advantage of each possession you have,” he said. “We need to play sound defense and have a balanced run and pass attack.”
Beloit Turner, ranked ninth in Division 4, and Clinton, ranked third in Division 5, lead the RVC standings at a perfect 5-0, followed by East Troy and Jefferson.
Clinton travels to Turner tonight in what should be a classic battle, Crandall said.
“I think this will be a great game,” he said. “Both teams have been playing well. Clinton seems to be on a roll, but Turner has been improving the last few years.”
