By Kevin Cunningham
Correspondent
Delavan-Darien High School football head coach Bret St. Arnauld knew what he was getting into when his team traveled to face Burlington on Sept. 23. He talked about the Demons, and that it would be his team’s biggest game of the year.
“We need to stop their passing game,” St. Arnauld said. “They have a strong passing game – they always do. They try to spread you out and get the ball out quickly and let their receivers make plays.”
Burlington did what it wanted to against the Comets on Sept. 23, throwing the ball 42 times, but it wasn’t enough. The Delavan-Darien defense held strong, especially in the second half, shutting the Demons out after allowing 20 points in the first half.
Delavan-Darien trailed 20-16 at halftime and the lone score in the second half was a touchdown run by Comets quarterback Jake Benzing from 19 yards out. The Comets eventually won, 22-20.
Nick Klug, Burlington’s quarterback, completed just 20 of 42 passes for 332 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Klug also had the most carries by any Demon player with 10.
For Delavan-Darien, Benzing completed 20 of 34 passes for 280 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, Benzing also had the most carries for not only the Comets, but any player in the game, with 14. Benzing scored twice on the ground.
Benzing’s lone passing touchdown went to Mike Alder, who amassed 110 yards receiving on eight catches. Ethan Cesarz, another Comets receiver, caught six passes for 120 yards.
Cesarz also led the team in tackles defensively with 10. After the team’s win over Burlington, Delavan-Darien now sits at 4-2 overall.
The Comets have three games remaining on its regular season schedule. The next two games will come at home, while the last game of the regular season, against Wilmot Union, will be on the road.
The next contest for the Comets is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Friday at Delavan-Darien High School against Westosha Central. Westosha Central is 1-5 so far this season and is coming off a 35-6 loss to Waterford this past week.
After a 4-2 start overall and 3-1 start in Southern Lakes Conference play, the Comets are currently tied for second in the conference standings. Both Wilmot Union and Waterford are 3-1 in conference play as well, and only Lake Geneva Badger is undefeated, at 4-0 in conference and 6-0 overall.
