By Jennifer Eisenbart
Sports editor
Burlington High School football coach Hans Block wasn’t going to settle for any moral victories this week.
That’s why, even though the Demons played Wilmot Union High School tough on Homecoming Friday, he still wasn’t satisfied with a 52-37 loss.
“We have prepared each and every week to win,” Block said. “When we watched the film on Saturday, as good as I felt … we are still making mistakes we need to correct.”
With the loss, Burlington dropped to 1-4 in the Southern Lakes Conference, eliminating the Demons from playoff contention.
The Demons got off to a quick start, and trailed just 14-13 going into the final minute of the first half with possession of the ball.
But the Panthers got a pick off junior quarterback Jayden Essman, and scored in just 10 seconds to take a 20-13 halftime lead.
“They’re a pretty good football team,” Block said. “I thought we played very well early.
“That was a turning point,” he added regarding the interception and subsequent score. “We lost a little momentum going into the half.”
From there, it was a horse race of offense in the third quarter. Burlington scored 36 third-quarter points to just 19 for Wilmot, and pulled within two points.
But from there, it was all Wilmot in the fourth quarter. Wilmot quarterback Chris Nelson delivered in the final quarter, as he guided Wilmot on an 11-play, 87-yard drive that ended in his two-yard touchdown run and rebuilt the Panthers’ lead back to two scores.
“As good as we played in the third quarter, their kid (Chris) Nelson) played in the fourth quarter,” Block said.
Essman finished the game 20 of 36 passing for 221 yards, two touchdowns, three passing two-point conversions, but also had the one interception and was sacked four times.
Ross Canales led the Demons with 55 yards rushing, while Garrett Riggs added 43 and Essman 42. Ty Dennis had 101 yards receiving.
Next for Burlington is this week’s Friday night game at Elkhorn. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Elks have not won a game since their season opener against Sheboygan Falls. With the Demons eliminated from playoff contention, both teams are looking to end their seasons with as good a record as possible
Sports correspondent Dan Truttschel contributed to this report.
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