By Jennifer Eisenbart
Sports Editor
The first two turnovers in the first half of Friday’s Southern Lakes Conference football game between Burlington and Waterford turned into touchdowns.
The last two turnovers results in just one score – and as it turned out, the game-winning touchdown.
After forcing Waterford into throwing an interception on fourth down and returning it deep into the Wolverines territory, the Demons returned the favor Friday at Waterford, as Michael Dilley picked off Burlington’s Jayden Essman and returned the interception 75 yards for the winning score in the 21-13 victory.
Waterford improved to 2-1 overall and 2-0 in the Southern Lakes, while BHS dropped to 1-2 and 0-2.
The final mistake of the game turned the tables on what was a well-fought defensive battle on both sides of the ball. As it turned out, though, that one mistake ended up being the difference.
“We were in the game. We were certainly competing hard,” said BHS coach Hans Block. “We obviously had two big turnovers.”
Waterford coach Adam Bakken praised the pick of his quarterback, Ryan Danbrea, on the previous drive.
“They made a good play defensively at cornerback,” Bakken said. “Ryan (Danbrea) made a great play … if he doesn’t make that play, it’s a touchdown.
“Michael broke on the ball and made a good play,” he added. “He was able to use his speed and outrun their offense for a touchdown.”
The interception by Danbrea was the third turnover of the game for Waterford, while Essman’s pick was the second turnover for the Demons.
“We certainly made the game closer than it could’ve been or should’ve been,” said Bakken. “We’ve turned the ball over in each game we’ve played this year.”
But both teams told another story with their defense. While Waterford had 285 yards rushing – its entire offense, as the Wolverines did not complete a pass – they managed just one true offensive score.
The second TD came late in the second half after Burlington muffed a punt inside the 30-yard line. Alex Thomashek ran in from nine yards out, and the PAT failed to knot the score at 13-all at the half.
Burlington, meanwhile, managed just 21 yards rushing on 28 attempts. Most of its yards came on one play – a 62-yard pass from Essman to Ty Tennis. Chad Redmer scored the first TD for the Demons following a Waterford fumble.
And the Demons did get the ball back twice following Waterford’s score and two-point conversion, but couldn’t convert.
“Our guys continued to battle,” Block said. “We had opportunities, just weren’t able to make plays at the end of the game like we needed to.”
On Friday, Burlington will travel to Westosha Central for a 7 p.m. game, while Waterford hosts Elkhorn at the same time.
“They have a pretty decent backfield,” said Bakken of Elkhorn. “Pretty nice-sized offensive line. I think they’re going to try to put a lot of people in the box to try and stop our run.
“It’s going to be a little different look for us this week.”
Burlington, meanwhile, was looking for a way to stop Central’s Tyler Stoxen.
“He’s a good athlete,” Block explained. “We will need to contain him.”
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