By Chris Bennett
Sports Correspondent
Sometimes, a win isn’t just a win.
The Elkhorn Area High School Football team’s 30-13 defeat of Southern Lakes Conference-foe Delavan-Darien Aug. 31 at Delavan meant much more that what was visible on the surface.
For the Elks (1-1, 1-0 SLC), it is their first victory of the season and first conference win.
It is also the team’s first win overall since defeating Sheboygan Falls 19-13 at home Aug. 19 of last year, a span of more than a year.
The victory marks the Elks first conference win since defeating Waterford 19-7 at home Aug. 15, 2010.
And, finally, the triumph gives Elks coach Tom Lee a win against his alma mater. Lee graduated from Delavan-Darien in 1991.
“It’s the only real rivalry we have left in our conference,” Lee said. “It’s a huge win, it’s a morale booster. The kids worked hard and didn’t give up.
“I think our kids will build confidence. Any time you can win, it builds confidence.”
Elkhorn lost to Delavan-Darien 49-26 last season on Sept. 2 at home.
In this year’s rematch, Lee said the Elks needed to keep the Comets offense off the field.
“Our goal was to not allow Delavan to have possession,” Lee said. “Their offense is lethal.”
The Comets (0-2 overall, 0-1 SLC) played against the Elks without standout quarterback Danny Supernaw. Backup Jesse Collins passed for 237 yards in Supernaw’s absence.
The Elks’ offense turned into their best defense. Lee said the Elks finished with more than 60 rushes and easily won the time of possession battle.
Elkhorn’s Kyle Mountford led all rushers with 159 yards and accounted for three touchdowns and a safety.
As a team, the Elks rushed for 266 yards and passed for 51.
Elkhorn trailed 13-9 at halftime after Mountford’s safety and one-yard touchdown run.
Lee said the Elks could have led at halftime, but made mistakes. The Elks threw an interception to end the half and also finished the game with three fumbles.
The Elks led 9-6 with time winding down in the first half, but allowed a 67-yard touchdown reception from Collins to Stephen Rodriguez.
“We actually had pretty good coverage and we had a safety over the top where we thought it would be intercepted,” Lee said.
Lee said the two Elks defenders collided and Rodriguez scored.
The Elks answered in kind to open the second half with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Arik Anderson to Logan Mohr and two more touchdown runs from Mountford – one in the third quarter and another in the fourth – to seal the win.
The Elks task this week isn’t any easier than a grudge match against a heated rival. Elkhorn plays host to Wilmot Friday. The Panthers (0-2, 0-1 SLC) defeated the Elks 60-6 last year at Wilmot.
In Wilmot’s last game, the Panthers lost 28-13 at home to Waterford. They opened the season with a 27-7 loss Aug. 24 at Chicagoland-area power Notre Dame Prep in Niles, Ill.
