Badgers' first game ends in win
In their first game of the season, the Badgers' football team won 35-14 against the Libby Loggers on Saturday, Aug. 31.
The first quarter was all about rust and mistakes last night.
The QB missed his first four passes, the defense missed coverage and the special teams turned the ball over on their own three.
This could have defined the team they gave up a 40-yard TD and that three-yard mistake converted as well putting the Badgers in a 14-0 hole.
They looked every bit like a team that has only been practicing together for three weeks.
The Badgers did what they couldn’t last year, they fought through it.
They put together a clock chewing drive that took up six minutes of the second quarter.
Josh Pluid popped into the end zone for the score but it was the entire team that made the push. Shoots kicked and the Badgers got closer with a score of 14-7.
The defense the kids have been so excited about blitzed and kept Libby from making anything happen and then came their turn to shine.
After they put Libby QB Wagner into a deer in the headlights situation, Parker Davis knocked him hard and Sabin grabbed the fumble.
He ran over 40 yards with it and Shutes put another through to tie at 14-14.
The third quarter saw the Badger defense tested. After an amazing kick to pin the Loggers deep, the second drive included a 68-yard-run by the Loggers and then another 15 yards on a run.
The Badger didn’t break. They held tight and a combination of penalties and tenacious defense kept the Loggers from getting back on the board.
The score stayed that way until the fourth and then the Badgers showed what adjustments can do. Pluid took another one in after the Badgers marched down the field and the Badgers finally had their first lead at 21-14.
Libby tried to make the passing game work but the backs weren’t having it. Every time one came their way they had the coverage. Bennett had a text book pass defense to stall the Loggers and the Badgers took control again.
Here’s where we were all surprised. The Badgers have a run team.
They have good backs in Pluid, Skeen, Bennett and Unruh, but the call that came stunned the Loggers and put the game in firm Badger control. With the lead and a ball control offense the Badgers chose to pass. Trocke looked and found a wide open Sabin for a 60-yard-catch and run TD and 28-14 was our score.
The final few minutes saw the Loggers try desperately to get something going and each ill fated attempt was thwarted by a defense that flew to the ball as a pack.
The final Badger drive was meant to just eat the clock but every run up the gut found chunks of grass and Skeen pinballed his way in to give the Badgers their final TD of the night, scoring 35-14.
It was, Badger fans, a great night. Not a single player stood out because they all stood out.
The backs ran hard, the passing game was a nice surprise. The line held and the defense was on.
The switch to the 5-3 and 3-5 on that side of the ball looked great.
Congrats to:
Christian Trocke for his work on both sides of the ball. A great night at QB and a pick on the other side.
Matt Sabin. A two- touchdown night and it turns out the big man another gear.
Josh Pluid. He ran with authority against a tough defense and made it in the end zone twice.
Skeen played a pinball game bouncing off of defenders.
The entire defense. What a change! Every player swarmed. They were in position and they made the Loggers fight for every yard.
Jason Shutes. We have kicker!
Swanson, Kramer and Cummings all played great as well.
The coaching staff: after having no summer camp or July activities they had three weeks to get these guys game ready.
They got creative with the mix of calls and the kids had fun.
Next week it’s off to Newport. The game will be able to be heard (the station is fixing this game’s issues) on 1450 KBFI.
The JV will be at home on Thursday at 6 p.m. They won last night 32-0 in a scrimmage against the Loggers. Come down Thursday and support your Badgers.