Senior QB scores 5 TD’s in first start
By Jason Arndt
Sports Correspondent
RACINE – It did not take long before Burlington High School solved the Eagles defensive scheme in Friday’s 35-21 opening night win at Racine Case High School.
After a scoreless first quarter, Demons senior quarterback Cal Tully got right to work in his first career varsity start, scoring his first of five touchdowns, reaching the end zone on an 8-yard run midway through the second quarter.
Tully completed 10 of 22 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns, along with 15 rushes for 63 yards and three touchdowns.
Burlington coach Steve Tenhagen knew the senior quarterback would be ready entering the game.
“Our offense really allows our quarterback to fully utilized, a lot of our plays run through him,” Tenhagen said. “Cal knew that coming in, he is a senior this year, and contended for the job last year, and was ready to go tonight.”
Entering the game, Tully had confidence in his core of offensive linemen.
“I knew our line was playing tough up front and could put some points up,” Tully said.
After drawing two penalties, Cal Tully and his squadron of Demons continued to push through in their second scoring drive, with Tully connecting with sophomore wide receiver Nick Klug, who dove at the corner of the end zone to put the Demons ahead 14-0 with 3:36 remaining in the first half.
Klug had three receptions and a team-leading 54 yards for Burlington Friday.
“He had a great game, and had a huge touchdown at the seam, and was really good,” Tully said.
At halftime, Burlington (1-0, 0-0 SLC) reassessed its game plan, according Tully, citing the Eagles’ blitz from the left side.
“They were blitzing a lot on the left side, so at halftime we had to change things up,” “Our running backs came up and helped block.”
Additionally, Tenhagen noted it was a case of nerves for the Demons’ newest additions to the varsity squad.
“We had a number of new players on the team tonight, and I think we might have had the case of the jitters playing at the varsity level for the first time.” “We had some crucial penalties in the first couple of drives.”
After a Tully seven-yard score to put the Demons ahead 21-0 at the start of the third quarter, the Eagles’ special teams put Case on the board with a 84-yard kickoff return by TyReik Thomas.
The Demons responded with two touchdowns, with Cal Tully throwing a 33-yard strike to junior tight end Dale Damon. Damon had three receptions for 48 yards, second among Demons receivers.
After the Damon touchdown, Case produced a threatening drive, making it to the 21-yard line, but the Eagles’ sophomore quarterback threw an interception to sophomore Grant Tully, who took it the 34-yard line.
After a 6-yard pass from Tully, junior Jack Miller produced a 40-yard run to put Burlington at Case 10-yard line. However, after Burlington drew a penalty, the Demons went back to the 19-yard line.
Tully responded with his fifth touchdown, scrambling for a 19-yard score in the closing moments of the third quarter.
Case (0-1, 0-0 Southeast Conference) coach Bryan Schredl came away impressed with Burlington’s new quarterback.
“He is a great quarterback and makes quick decisions with the ball in his hand, you can’t say much more about him,” Schredl said.
The Eagles scored twice in the fourth quarter, with the first coming off a botched snap in the Eagles’ end zone to Cal Tully, who fumbled, and was recovered by Case’s Tobias Barkley.
Subsequently, the Eagles recovered an onside kick, which led to a Lepow 11-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Streege with 4:12 remaining in the game.
Lepow completed 14 of 22 attempts for 104 yards, an interception and a touchdown for Case.
“(Case) did a good job and had a couple of good plays, and put together a nice drive at the end,” “We can’t keep giving up big plays,” Tenhagen said.
Despite allowing big plays, the Demons were able to clamp on Case’s running game, limiting them to 50 yards on 24 carries.
The Demons play against Racine Horlick, who lost 14-0 against Mukwonago Friday, next week in Burlington.
Tenhagen stated the team will need to cut down on penalties, with Burlington drawing 11 for 87 yards Friday, to play solid against the Rebels next week.
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