Lake Geneva Badger 28, Burlington 27
Demons suffer first loss after late TD, interception
By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
The loss of a loved one is never easy.
So when Nick Klug’s grandfather, Conrad Chaffee, passed away early Friday morning, Klug knew it wouldn’t be easy to concentrate later that night when the Burlington football team traveled to Lake Geneva Badger in the Southern Lakes Conference opener for both teams.
“It was pretty difficult,” Klug said after the game. “My cousin Connor and I were both pretty devastated. We are so close of a family.”
Klug must have a different definition of “difficult” than most people, because Chaffee certainly would’ve been proud of his grandson Friday night.
In a thrilling 28-27 loss to Badger, Klug went off for seven catches and 187 yards with two touchdowns.
It was the biggest game of the sophomore’s career, but it wasn’t enough as Lake Geneva scored the game-winning touchdown with 5:52 left and held on thanks to a late interception with Burlington threatening.
The Demons dropped to 2-1 overall on the season and 0-1 in the SLC. With the next game against undefeated rival Waterford (3-0) at Don Dalton Stadium this Friday night, things won’t get any easier for Burlington.
Klug said his teammates were supportive throughout the Badger game, often picking him up in tough times.
“So many of my teammates helped us in so many ways,” he said. “They were always saying the game was for him. It was awesome, and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.”
It was another big night for Burlington quarterback Cal Tully, who sliced and diced the Badger secondary to the tune of 276 yards on 17-of-32 passing with three touchdowns and a pick.
Tully hooked up with Klug for scores of 71 and 57 yards and also found Dale Damon for a four-yard touchdown toss.
However, Burlington was shut down in the running game with only 56 yards on 22 carries, which eventually made the team one-dimensional.
After Badger quarterback Isaac Ziervogel’s game-winning 18-yard touchdown run made it 28-27, Burlington turned the ball over on downs. However, the Demons’ defense stepped up and gave the ball back to Tully and the high-powered passing attack.
But a deep ball was picked off by Badger’s Mason DuMez in the final minutes, and Burlington’s losing streak against the SLC’s only Division 1 school extended to seven straight seasons.
“I’m disappointed with the loss,” Tully said after the game. “But I am proud of the effort our guys put out there. We played our butts off and played well enough to come home with the win.”
Senior receiver Ty Wiemer, who added three catches for 43 yards, said the Demons had their opportunities to win.
“Our offense had many chances to close the game, and our defense played a heck of a game,” he said. “Badger was well-prepared.”
“We need to improve how we finish drives.”
Game full of big plays
Badger’s Tyler VanDeVelde, who rushed for 175 yards on 23 carries, busted off a big run for a 66-yard touchdown to tie things at 21-21 with 4:21 left in the third quarter.
But only 11 seconds later, Burlington star cornerback Erik Viel, a senior who doesn’t play offense, darted 74 yards for a huge momentum-swing touchdown and put Burlington in front, 27-21, after kicker Lance Otter’s extra-point attempt was no good.
The missed kick came back the haunt the Demons in the end, as the game probably would’ve went to overtime tied 28-28.
Badger outgained Burlington, 423-332, and racked up an astonishing 345 rushing yards. Also, Ziervogel hooked up with Tyler Love on a 70-yard passing score, so Badger had just enough balance to be dangerous.
A loss is a loss, but Burlington has to feel confident entering its rivalry tilt with neighboring Waterford Friday night.
The Wolverines are coming off an emotional game, as well. They scored a late touchdown in overtime and held on for a 21-14 victory over Wilmot Sept. 4, as the Panthers’ fourth-down pass into the endzone was broken up.
“We have the toughest game of the year coming up, and we’re gaining more confidence each game,” Wiemer said.
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