By Chris Bennett
Sports correspondent
A strong first half gave way to a second half in which the Lake Geneva Badger High School football exposed Elkhorn’s deficiencies, and the Elks lost 42-0 Oct. 6 in a Southern Lakes Conference game at Badger.
The Elks play their final game of the season Friday at home against SLC rival Burlington.
“We knew they were very physical on both lines,” Elks coach Tom Lee said. “We knew that we, physically, would have a hard time matching up with them. We held our own, I think, in the first half.”
Badger (7-1, 6-0 SLC) is the defending SLC champion. Badger is ranked seventh in Division 1 in the latest Wisconsin Football Coaches Association state poll.
Badger also claims the largest enrollment of any school in the SLC – 1,492, according to WisSports.net. Elkhorn’s enrollment is 923, according to WisSports.net.
The Elks trailed 14-0 at halftime. Lee said the Elks had two chances to score in the first half.
Dakota Biefeld ran for 40 yards to the Badger 20-yard line, and a holding penalty on the next play by the Elks pushed the team back. The drive eventually ended with no points.
Later in the half, quarterback Mason Buelow overthrew Braeden Mohr by a half-step on what Lee said would have been a sure touchdown.
“Those were our two best scoring opportunities of the first half,” Lee said. “I think we were playing with them. We played tough, and made them earn every yard they got.”
Lee said the Elks worked with good field position in the first half, but did not enjoy that luxury in the second half. Badger’s depth and physical play also took a toll in the second half.
Lee said a lot of Badger’s players play on only one side of the ball, and a majority of the Elks play on both sides of the ball.
Lee also said the Elks fumbled on their own 20-yard line in the second half, and allowed an interception to be returned for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Badger scored 14 points in the first, third and fourth quarters.
Elkhorn is now preparing for Burlington which, while not a heated rivalry, is still a good match-up that has produced some good games in recent years.
The Demons (5-3, 4-2 SLC) are eligible for the Division 2 playoffs after beating Wilmot 17-6 Oct. 6 at Burlington.
In spite of another tough season in Elkhorn, Lee said the team is remaining upbeat, and said all involved will put forth their best effort in preparation for the Demons.
“I truly enjoy being at practice with the kids,” Lee said. “They have a good attitude. They work hard. They realize the situation.
“I told them, at the end of the Badger game, that we have one more opportunity to win a football game. I told the seniors they have one more opportunity to win a football game as varsity players.”
