By Jennifer Eisenbart
Sports Editor
This year, following Burlington High School’s homecoming game Friday against Elkhorn, there were no fireworks.
BHS coach Hans Block didn’t know why, but at that point, he really didn’t care.
“I’m fine with that,” said Block after the Demons dismantled Elkhorn in a 44-19 victory. “I’m OK with not having the fireworks. I’d rather the fireworks happen during the game.”
The Demons improved to 4-2 in the Southern Lakes Conference and officially earned their first playoff berth since 2006. The team is 5-2 overall, and will be looking for its fifth straight victory Friday at Union Grove to end the regular season.
Block and his team jumped out to a 22-0 lead before the first quarter was even halfway over.
“We got off to a good start,” said Block. The Demons scored on just the second play from scrimmage, when Ty Dennis hauled in a pass from Jayden Essman and ran 69 yards for the score.
On Elkhorn’s following possession, the Elks threw an interception to Spencer Warner, who appeared to return it for another touchdown. While the score was called back because of a penalty, the Demons scored two plays later on a 15-yard run by Chad Redmer.
Elkhorn then had another interception on the ensuing drive, as BHS senior Ross Canales picked off Arik Anderson and returned the ball 47 yards for the score.
The Elks would get on the board before the first quarter was out, and scored again in the second quarter, but Burlington tacked on two more second-quarter scores – one on a one-yard touchdown run by Canales and the other on another 15-yard run by Redmer.
BHS led 35-13 at the half and never looked back, and Block credited his team’s defense for a lot of that momentum.
“The defense really helped establish the tone of the night, and things went pretty well from there,” said Block.
The Demons also benefited for the first time in years from the homecoming excitement, winning a homecoming game for the first time in several years.
“It was nice to be able to use all the energy from the fans in a positive manner,” Block said. “This year, we were able to use it to our advantage.”
Redmer added one more touchdown in the third quarter, and Brian Dankle kicked a 27-yard field goal to wrap up the BHS scoring.
Elkhorn running back Kyle Mountford, who finished with 158 yards rushing, finally scored a touchdown in the fourth to round out the game’s scoring.
Redmer finished the game with 122 yards rushing, while Essman had a solid effort with three completions for 94 yards.
The Demons will end the regular season Friday night at Union Grove with a 7 p.m. game. While the Broncos have suffered through a winless season, Block was wary heading into the game.
“They have a new coach,” Block said. “They’re going through some growing pains right now.
“We need to respect them,” he added. “We are working this week to get better.”
He also said he would be cautioning his team about overlooking the Broncos.
“We can’t overlook them,” Block said. “We’re excited that we officially qualified for the playoffs, but we want to get better.”
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