Miscues abound in season-opening loss
By Chris Bennett
Correspondent
The Elkhorn Area High School football team will be much improved this week as a result of the 37-7 loss it suffered Aug. 19 at Waukesha North in its season opener.
The Elks continue the non-conference portion of their schedule Friday at home against Lakeside Lutheran of Lake Mills.
The Elks (0-1) played the Northstars (1-0) at a slight disadvantage. North is a WIAA Division 1 school in the Classic 8 Conference, one of the state’s best for prep sports.
“We held our own for a good portion of the game,” Elks coach Tom Lee said. “We made too many mistakes. We dropped some snaps in the shotgun, we fumbled twice and threw a pick six for a touchdown.
“Against good teams you just can’t make those types of mistakes. I personally think we outplayed them in the second half.”
A lightning delay forced a 90-minute delay in the second half. The game ended with about three minutes left in the fourth quarter due to inclement weather.
The Elks, which play in the WIAA’s Division 3, opened the 2015 season at home against North and lost 35-0. Lee said the Northstars returned considerable talent on offense this season, including their starting quarterback and a starting wide receiver and running back.
North scored three touchdowns and a field goal in the first half and led the Elks 23-0 at halftime. Austin Peters opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 25-yard field goal and Michael Turner rushed for a nine-yard touchdown. North led 10-0 after the first quarter.
Chimre Dike caught a 57-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Brennan DeMark in the second quarter and DeMark rushed for a 12-yard touchdown later in the quarter for the 23-0 halftime margin.
The Elks’ defense held North scoreless in the third quarter.
Bryce Jacobson put the Elks on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter with a 31-yard touchdown run. The Elks trailed 23-7 after the extra point.
Turner rushed for a 12-yard touchdown in the fourth and North’s Riley Brey intercepted Elks’ quarterback Carm Consolino and returned the ball 45 yards for the final score. Lee said Consolino’s passing lane was visually obscured on the interception.
Lakeside Lutheran beat Milwaukee Hamilton 48-6 in their season opener Aug. 19 at home. Lakeside plays in the Capitol North Conference.
