Team knocks down winless Whitewater in 48-20 victory
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
The staying power of the Big Foot football team is something that can’t be denied.
It’s all right there on paper.
For the 15th straight year, the Chiefs have punched their tickets to the upcoming WIAA playoffs following a dominating 48-20 Rock Valley Conference victory Friday night over visiting Whitewater.
The win improved the Chiefs to 5-3 and clinched their postseason berth. Seeding meetings will be held this weekend.
Big Foot coach Greg Enz, who now has guided the Chiefs to three straight playoff berths after he replaced former coach Rodney Wedig, said the streak is pretty amazing.
“There are schools that make the playoffs once in a great while or others that are in and out from year to year,” Enz said. “For a school our size to be able to meet this standard is very impressive, as talent tends to go in cycles.
“You also add into the equation that this (streak) has been through changes in the Rock Valley speaks to the efforts of the players and coaches that have come before.”
The game with Whitewater was never in doubt, as the Chiefs built a 48-0 halftime lead.
Big Foot’s Jackson Enz again was in the middle of the action, as he was involved in the Chiefs’ first five touchdowns.
Enz connected on scoring passes of 73 and 15 yards to Aidan Greco and 14 and 29 yards to Pedro Sierra. He also scored on a 43-yard touchdown run.
Big Foot closed out the first half with touchdown runs of 2 and 1 yards by Olinh Craig and Michael Petkoff.
There was plenty to be happy about, especially in the opening 24 minutes, Greg Enz said.
“(I was) very pleased with how all aspects, defense, offense and special teams came out from the start,” he said. “Outside of a couple of turnovers and a long pass we did a sound job through the first 24 minutes while our starters were in.”
Whitewater has yet to win a game, but that didn’t change what Enz and his coaches wanted to accomplish Friday night.
“We talked about being efficient and setting a tone for the remainder of the season,” he said. “We understand where Whitewater is at and what they are building for, but we wanted to control all aspects of the game from the start.”
Whitewater scored all three of its touchdowns in the second half.
For the game, Jackson Enz completed 14 of 20 passing attempts for 239 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for 63 yards on just four carries.
Other offensive leaders were Cole Vance with 72 yards rushing on seven attempts, Sierra with five catches for 81 yards, Greco with three for 97 and Beau Cary with five for 53.
Defensive leaders were Jacque Christman with eight tackles; Andrew Rego, Jack Hereley, Blake Synove and Sam Ritchey with five tackles; and Kasey Woodside and Tucker Milligan with interceptions. Olinh Craig also forced a fumble, and he, Danny Carpentar and Christman each had a half sack apiece. Rego also was credited with a sack.
The game may have been the final time on the home field for the seniors, depending on where the Chiefs are sent for the playoffs.
If that’s the case, this group has left its mark, Enz said.
“They have made some of the greatest improvements of a group of athletes that I have worked with in 20 years,” he said. “Every senior class carries the burden of continuing success, and I realize that this is a tremendous challenge.
“I am sure many wondered if they could continue that tradition when they were freshmen. But they made incremental improvements each and every year. From going winless as freshmen to where they are at this point is a credit to them. We appreciate all they have given to Chiefs’ football.”
Finale tonight
Big Foot closes its regular season tonight at RVC co-leader Evansville, which is tied with Clinton at the top of the standings with a 7-1 record.
So there is plenty to play for on both sidelines, Enz said.
“You have to play it the way it is, an important game,” he said. “We realize that we were two plays away from being 7-1 at this point. If that was the case we would be competing for a share of the title between Clinton and Evansville.
“Even though that isn’t the case, we want to build the strongest case for seeding (this weekend). I have seen too many teams limp into the playoffs and then get knocked out in the first round. We will play fast and aggressive, because good things happen when you do that.”
