Team scores 26 of 32 points in games second quarter
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
This year’s Big Foot football team is expected to be in a bit of a transition mode with several new faces in key places.
But if the opening week of the 2015 campaign is any indication, don’t expect too much of a drop off.
Big Foot used a pair of key second-quarter touchdowns to hold off host Westosha Central in a 32-28 non-conference victory Friday night.
The win improved the Chiefs to 1-0 overall, while Central, a Division 2 school out of the Southern Lakes Conference, fell to 0-1.
Second-year Big Foot head coach Greg Enz was proud of his team’s effort.
“We really made some big strides,” Enz said. “Having so many skill and key positions to replace on offense and defense, this game really allowed for some individuals and the team as a whole to shine.”
Along with the obvious highlight, the victory, Enz was also pleased with his team’s 26-point second quarter.
“Scoring 26 points against a good opponent says something,” he said.
Equally as impressive, Enz said, was the play of the defense, which held the Falcons to just one second-half touchdown.
And when Central did move closer to the end zone, that’s when the defense really held its ground.
“The performance by the defense in the third and fourth quarter cannot be under-emphasized,” he said. “Three stops deep inside our territory were the key to our victory.”
Heidenreich leads attack
Senior Michael Heidenreich, the Chiefs’ top returning threat on offense, lived up to that billing with four touchdown receptions.
“Michael comes back with the most offensive prowess from last season,” Enz said. “The big difference now is he wants the ball and almost can assert his will on a play.
“This proved to be true in both our pre-season scrimmage and game one. Whether he ran the ball, caught passes or ran after the catch, he was very dominating.”
Two of those game late in the first half on passes of 32 and 11 yards from senior quarterback Zak Greco. Those two hooked up on a 42-yard scoring strike in the first quarter, while sophomore Jackson Enz hit him on a 67-yard touchdown pass in the second.
The two latter scores proved to be critical, as Big Foot was held out of the end zone in the second half.
“The two touchdowns from Zak to Michael were representative of the night as a whole,” Enz said. “Good routes and a well-thrown ball usually lead to positive outcomes, and they definitely did in those cases.”
Big Foot’s fifth touchdown came on a 65-yard jaunt to pay dirt by Enz, the first of three straight scores that put the Chiefs out front to stay.
For the game, Greco completed seven of 12 passes for 161 yards, while Enz led the rushing attack with 99 yards on five carries. Heidenreich reeled in seven catches for 214 yards.
Enz, the coach’s son, has continued to develop his game, his father said.
“Jackson took big strides as a football player,” the elder Enz said. “Like many of the players Friday night, this was their first time with considerable playing time in a varsity game.
“Many didn’t have the statistical numbers, but were equally as important. Jackson’s ability to run the option was his strong suit.”
Big Foot finished the night with 15 first downs 134 yards rushing on 35 carries and 228 yards passing.
Comets up next
The Chiefs finish up their two-game tour of the SLC this week when they host Delavan-Darien at 7 p.m. The Comets outslugged East Troy 42-40 in their opener last week.
Enz knows Delavan has a number of weapons that have to be contained.
“The keys to stopping the Comets is going to be playing strong team defense and fulfilling our assignments consistently,” Enz said. “They have a great running back in (Fabias) Shipman and (quarterback Jake) Benzing is not only possibly the fastest kid in the southern part of the state but a good thrower as well.
“(Ethan) Cesarz is a great player, (their) only two-way player and there is a reason why. Couple this with an efficient defense, and it will be a challenge. But any time you get to play a team of that caliber, it is awesome.”
