It’s win and you’re in for Burlington football

By Mike Ramczyk

Sports Editor

After a 28-24 loss at Delavan-Darien last Friday night, the Burlington football team finds itself in familiar territory.

In both 2009 and 2011, the Demons missed the playoffs by one game. This year, if they can’t pull off two wins in the next two weeks, it will be close, but no cigar once again.

Burlington trailed, 21-18, in the fourth quarter Friday night. The Demons held the Comets and forced them to punt. However, though coach Hans Block warned his players of a fake punt, Delavan executed perfectly for the first down.

The Comets went on to score a back-breaking touchdown to seal the victory, and Burlington (4-3 overall, 2-3 SLC) now must beat Wilmot Friday and Elkhorn next Friday if it wants to qualify for the Division II postseason.

“Coach (Steve) Tenhagen gets his kids ready to play,” Block said of Delavan. “The fake punt was huge. It was a momentum changer. I was disappointed that we didn’t play better in the second half. We are not a juggernaut on offense. We have to put more points on the board if we expect to win more ball games.”

Block is hoping a change at quarterback will help the team make back-to-back postseasons for the first time since 2005-06.

Senior Mark Wallace came in for starter Brad Burling last week and dazzled, completing 10-of-14 passes for 111 yards and a score and adding a rushing touchdown. The 6-foot, 170-pound Wallace starts at safety, and Block likes his leadership.

Wallace will start Friday against Wilmot, which is currently tied for the SLC lead after a 28-14 upset win over Badger.

“Mark and Brad were even before the season,” Block said. “Right now, we will go with the senior leadership with the understanding that if Mark struggles early, Brad will be right back in.”

“Both guys need to be prepared. Mark has a little better leadership in the huddle right now.”

Block said quarterbacks must make audibles at the line of scrimmage, and Burling hasn’t always been loud enough for the offensive line to hear. It cost the Demons in the Waterford game.

“In my opinion, Mark has earned the right to at least start this game and see where we go,” Block added.

Wilmot boasts a physical, intimidating defensive line. That doesn’t bode well for Burlington, which doesn’t have a goal-line back to pick up the tough yards right now, according to Block. Block said the team is still looking for that go-to back.

“We need to play with confidence,” Block said. “We have to slow them down and get a push on offense.”

Senior Larry Meeks, who rushed for 101 yards on only 10 carries against Delavan, said the team is ready to do whatever it takes to make the playoffs.

“Our backs are against the wall,” Meeks said. “We want to go out with a ‘W’ at home Friday. We must play with heart every play and play all four quarters, and we can compete with anybody.”

PREDICTION: Burlington 17, Wilmot 14

FOOTBALL WEEKEND

Last week (as seen on www.myracinecounty.com) 2-3

Season: 34-15

Elkhorn (4-3, 3-2 SLC) at Lake Geneva Badger (5-2, 4-1 SLC), 7 p.m.

The Elks, who need a win in one of their final two games, aren’t going to get it this weekend. They picked the absolute worst time to play the league’s most talented team.

Badger is coming off a tough loss at Wilmot. The Badgers played one of their worst games in recent memory.

Lake Geneva is ready for some home cooking, and Elkhorn will be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

PREDICTION: Lake Geneva Badger 40, Elkhorn 21

St. Thomas More (6-1, 4-1 MCC) at Catholic Central (3-4, 3-2), 7 p.m.

In a showdown for conference supremacy last weekend, the Toppers were taken out back to the wood shed in a 38-7 drubbing.

But home games are a different story for the Toppers. Catholic Central is 3-1 at home this year, and it’s averaging 53 points per game in those contests.

On the road, Thomas More is only 2-1, and the loss was a blowout at the hands of Kenosha St. Joe’s. The Trojans also demolished the Toppers, but Catholic Central needs this victory to clinch a postseason berth.

PREDICTION: Catholic Central 55, Thomas More 42

Waterford (5-2, 4-1 SLC) at Union Grove (1-6, 1-4), 7 p.m.

This Racine County rivalry shouldn’t even be close this season.

Though Waterford struggles to score points and the Broncos can put up points in a hurry, the Wolverines have a new-found purpose – winning conference.

Thanks to Badger’s boo-boo last week, Waterford is in a three-way SLC tie for first place with Wilmot and Badger.

If Waterford wins out, they clinch a share of their third straight SLC championship.

Expect senior Jake Bauer (162 yards in last week’s win over Central) to run roughshod over the Broncos.

PREDICTION: Waterford 28, Union Grove 10