New quarterback provides spark to Elkhorn offense
By Chris Bennett
Correspondent
A 22-point onslaught by Badger in the first quarter led to a fifth consecutive defeat for the Elkhorn Area High School football team.
The Elks lost 41-7 Sept. 30 in a Southern Lakes Conference game at home as part of Elkhorn’s Homecoming festivities.
Elkhorn (1-6, 0-5 SLC) plays Friday at Burlington in a SLC game.
Badger (7-0, 5-0 SLC) is ranked seventh in Division 1 in the latest Wissports.net Coaches Poll.
“They were physical, they were strong, they were fast,” Elks coach Tom Lee said. “We made a couple of mistakes early and they capitalized and got two quick scores on us.”
Badger scored its first touchdown after the Elks pinned the Badgers on their five-yard-line. Williams Keller ran for 95 yards and scored with 9:32 left in the first quarter, and Badger led 8-0 after the two-point conversion.
Badger scored again less than four minutes later on a one-yard-run by Keller, and again on a 22-yard-run by Keller with 1:34 left in the first quarter for a 22-0 lead.
Badger added a safety in the second quarter and, with 3:34 to go, a two-yard touchdown by Ryan Sproul. Tias Larson added a field goal with nine seconds left in the quarter and Badger led 34-0 at halftime.
Badger’s Wesley Sontag scored on a 17-yard touchdown run with 10:54 left in the third quarter.
The Elks added their only score 30 seconds after Badger added their final score when Ryan Shilts threw a 78-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Jacobson.
Lee said Elkhorn experienced some success on offense with Braeden Mohr at quarterback. The Elks were able to spread-out Badger’s defense and get to the edge before Mohr took a helmet to the hip and left the game.
“We had to play almost a perfect game against them,” Lee said. “They didn’t make any mistakes, which didn’t help.”
The Elks finished with 214 yards of total offense to Badger’s 409. The Elks rushed for 104 yards and passed for another 110.
Elkhorn’s next opponent, Burlington, is playing its final home game of the season tonight. The Demons will not be advancing to the WIAA Division 2 playoffs after losing 24-21 Sept. 30 at Wilmot.
“They’re good, and they’re big,” Lee said. “They played Wilmot really, really tough, and played tough in their last two games, although they lost. They’re a good football team.
“It’s going to be another tough night in the SLC.”
