Coach says team is young and will continue to learn as they go
By Daniel Schoettler
Sports Correspondent
The Jefferson Eagles offense proved to be too much for the Whitewater Whippets on Friday night as the Whippets football team started off its 2016 campaign with a 41-6 loss. Both the passing and running games of the Eagles doomed the Whippets.
Jefferson senior running back Hunter Milbrath led the way from the Eagles’ running attack with 16 carries for 104 yards and one touchdown run. Junior running back Evan Anfang ran the ball for five carries and 46 yards while Nick Hauser ran the ball for 38 yards on seven carries.
“Jefferson runs the ball well,” Whippets head coach Tom Grosinske said. “We have a very young team that is learning as they go.”
The Jefferson attack through the air hurt the Whippets just as much, as junior quarterback Zach Peterson threw for 208 yards and three touchdown passes.
“We have a very young secondary,” Grosinske said. “A couple of times we had a few guys in position that being younger and being smaller in that secondary role are going to have to learn to separate the receiver from the ball when they get there.”
The Whippets were led by quarterback Daniel Fuller who threw for 111 yards and one touchdown on nine completions. Junior Jimmy DuVal led the way in the receiving game with five receptions for 92 yards while Gehrig Monday had four receptions for 19 yards.
Jefferson got on the board first on its second possession after fumbling on its first as junior halfback Nick Hauser scored from one yard out to give the Eagles the 7-0 lead. On its next drive, Peterson hit tight end Max Siefkes for an 11-yard touchdown pass.
On the Whippets’ ensuing possession, Ernie Magana was tackled in the end zone for a safety. Jefferson took advantage of the safety punt as Peterson connected with Siefkes for the Eagles’ second touchdown connection on a 21-yard pass.
After a Whippets’ punt, Milbrath scored from one yard out after a 44-yard drive to make it 27-0. After another three and out by Whitewater, it only took the Eagles five plays to get in the end zone again as Peterson threw his third touchdown on the night on a seven-yard pass to Chris DeKrey, and the Eagles went into the half 35-0 after a successful two-point conversion.
After not really getting much going the first half, the Whippets were able to get their offense going some in the second half.
“We have a lot of new starters in some spots,” Grosinske said. “You are going to find out what game speed is Friday night. Our kids have pretty wide eyes to begin with and started to realize who their guy was across from them and what they have to do.”
Both Jefferson and Whitewater scored later in the game. Jefferson took a six-play drive into the end zone for six as Nolan Klawitter scored from three yards out.
The Whippets ended the game on a positive note with a good drive they took a drive starting from the 20 all the way into the end zone that was fueled by a big completion from junior quarterback Daniel Fuller to Jimmy DuVal. Fuller and DuVal hooked up again with about eight seconds left for the Whippets’ only score of the game.
The Whippets will open up their home schedule of their football season Friday as they host Beloit Turner.
