Burlington wants to remain unbeaten with win in SLC opener
By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
Take a short drive east on Highway 11 from Burlington.
First, you’ll see a small community affectionately known as Kansasville.
Keep going past some farms and eventually you will find a few factories, a Dairy Queen and the Racine County Fair on your right.
You’ve reached the Village of Union Grove, and if you blink you might miss it.
Though there aren’t a lot of people or places in the small town, not saying there’s much in Burlington, either, one thing the people care about is universal – football.
So much so that the community agreed to pay taxes for a beautiful new feature at Union Grove High School.
It’s a brand new Field Turf football field constructed inside of a brand new track.
After two winless seasons, the Grove community is committed to turning things around.
Enter new head coach Jordan Hein. The young mentor already has the Broncos not only competing but almost winning their first two games against two worthy opponents, Evansville and Kenosha St. Joe’s.
However, the coach’s toughest test will be this Friday.
The Broncos and their fans will head east down Highway 11 about 15 miles to McCanna Parkway, where a simple left turn at the light will land them in one of the area’s most hostile environments, in the home opener for Burlington High School.
And the Broncos could probably do without the fact that the Demons are riding high with a 2-0 record over two athletic squads in Racine Horlick and Racine Case.
Union Grove will be the most physical test so far for the Demons, who are led by an offensive line of returning letter-winners. The Demons will also be Union Grove’s most physical opponent so far.
But it’s finesse that has the Broncos excited about the future. Quarterback Kyle Dohjola (247 yards passing) has found a lethal 1-2 combination with receiver J.K. Witfoski (177 yards).
The dynamic duo hooked up for three touchdowns in Union Grove’s near-upset bid of Evansville in Week 1.
But Dohjola’s gun-slinging can be a double-edged sword. His late-game pick last week was returned for a touchdown and ultimately led to defeat.
While Burlington has gotten modest offensive numbers (Luke Dahl leads the team with 113 rushing yards), it’s been a menacing defensive front along with a ball-hawking secondary that has Burlington sitting in the Southern Lakes driver’s seat.
In two victories, Burlington has held its opponents to an average of 10.5 points and only 143 total yards.
What’s perhaps more impressive is Burlington’s allowing a mere 79 yards per game on the ground.
Demons coach Hans Block has been impressed by his team’s defense, and he knows his senior-heavy defensive line will lead the boys this season.
Expect the Broncos to continue their aerial assault, especially if push comes to shove. However, Burlington’s pass defense has only given up 128 yards this season and their schemes are very confusing for opposing quarterbacks.
Though Racine Horlick’s Ricky Neal Jr., one of the top players in the state, completed three of four passes before his injury, the Demons held him to a mere 29 yards on those connections.
Burlington is physical, and young quarterback Brad Burling has big-play ability despite Friday’s game being only his third varsity start.
While Union Grove still may challenge for a playoff spot, the Demons won’t be their first victory.
PREDICTION: Burlington 35, Union Grove 18
FOOTBALL WEEKEND
Here’s a look at the other area games scheduled for this weekend.
Waterford (1-1) at Lake Geneva Badger (1-1), 7 p.m.
This game will determine the SLC champion. I guarantee it.
Waterford is the two-time defending conference champ, but Badger advanced to the D1 state semifinal and almost made it to Madison.
“They’ve got way more size,” Waterford coach Adam Bakken said of Badger. “We just need to call the right plays.”
Badger boasts talented running back Andrew Allen and an offensive line that would make Wisconsin jealous. However, Bakken’s defensive genius has allowed the Wolverines to shut down the Badgers two years in a row.
Expect a low-scoring slug fest.
PREDICTION: Badger 19, Waterford 10
Whitefish Bay Dominican (1-0) at Burlington Catholic Central (0-2), 6 p.m.
The ’Toppers are hoping to bust out in a big way.
After two games of minimal offense, expect the home crowd to play a solid 12th man for Catholic Central Friday.
Conference foe Dominican won, 20-7, in its first game. But fear not, ’Topper Nation, Brett Gardner and Trent Burzawa have been a solid passing threat and Zach Frederick could pick up the running game.
Burlington is ranked in Division 5 for a reason, and the city may find out Friday.
PREDICTION: Catholic Central 27, Dominican 24
Wilmot (1-1) at Delavan-Darien (1-1), 7 p.m.
In the SLC opener, these teams will look to battle for the best team in the conference not named Burlington, Badger or Waterford.
The Comets have a high-powered offensive attack, led by talented senior quarterback Jesse Collins. The dual-threat star has amassed more than 500 yards passing and rushing in only two games.
Stephen Rodriguez is a big-time receiver.
Wilmot counters with Michael Lindeman and Cameron Loveless, who both average four yards per carry.
The Comets hung with and almost beat Big Foot, Division 4’s top-ranked team. Expect Delavan to cruise in this one.
PREDICTION: Delavan-Darien 42, Wilmot 21
More predictions:
Elkhorn 33, Westosha Central 14
East Troy 45, Palmyra-Eagle 14
Big Foot 30, Evansville 20
Muskego 34, Waukesha South 12
Franklin 38, Racine Horlick 28
Johnson Creek 41, Williams Bay 24
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