Klug, Tully forming dynamic duo
By Mike Ramczyk
With 33 seconds left in the first half in Friday night’s Homecoming battle with Delavan-Darien, Burlington junior Nick Klug used his educated feet to roll right after protection broke down.
About 30 yards downfield near the right sideline, Klug fired a strike to fellow junior Grant Tully, who cut back across the grain and juked a few defenders for a go-ahead, momentum-building touchdown.
The score was 20-16 at the half, and the roaring crowd had plenty to celebrate with an extended break that saw the announcement of the Homecoming court and a BHS Dance team routine.
Unfortunately for the Demons, it would be the last time they scored.
Delavan senior quarterback Jake Benzing had the last laugh, as his 19-yard touchdown run with 6:56 proved to be the game-winner in a 22-20 Comets victory.
Burlington dropped to 2-4 overall and 1-3 in the Southern Lakes Conference.
Delavan improved to 4-2 (3-1).
The Demons must knock off its final three opponents, Wilmot (5-1), Union Grove (4-2) and Elkhorn (1-5) in order to qualify for the WIAA playoffs, something Burlington is trying to do for the first time since winning the SLC in 2014.
“I really think our O-line stepped up huge this week and made big strides as an offense,” said Klug, who threw two touchdowns and ran for another. “I really think they stopped blitzing as much as they did in the first half once they saw we were passing a ton. They dropped linebackers into coverage, which helped their D stop our passing.”
After Benzing got Delavan on the board with a touchdown and two-point conversion, Klug added his own scoring run late in the first quarter to cut the lead to 8-7.
Benzing answered with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Mike Alder, and another Benzing conversion made it 16-7.
Then, Klug hit Dale Damon for an eight-yard score to cut it to 16-14.
After a Demon stop, Jaxson Sawtelle’s interception stopped Burlington’s ensuing drive.
Dynamic duo
But Klug rebounded with the improvised score to Tully.
The two have become a formidable duo since Tully returned to receiver after a hand injury.
“My hand is feeling great and it’s really allowing me to play to my ability,” said Tully, who finished with 92 yards on five catches. “Growing up two doors down from Nick, we played catch every opportunity we had. I think it has really shown this year.”
Both defenses stepped up in the second half, and Delavan’s pass coverage stood out.
After Tully knocked down a pass on 4th-and-4 to cause a turnover on downs, Klug hit Damon for 23 yards and Jack Hartzell 30 yards down the right sideline to set up first and goal.
But Klug overthrew Damon in the right corner of the end zone on 3rd-and-goal at the 4, and a fourth-down slant was nearly picked off in the end zone.
In the beginning of the fourth, a short Burlington set up Delavan at its own 31.
That’s when Benzing got busy, picking up a first-down run on 4th-and-4 before scampering down the left sideline for 20 yards to give Delavan a 22-20 lead.
On the ensuing possession, Klug’s deep pass down the middle was intercepted.
Delavan took over at its own 34, and all it needed to do was run out the clock, but Burlington’s Reid Moen came up with a huge open-field tackle to force a Delavan punt.
One last chance
On 4th-and-11 with just under two minutes left, Klug fired a quick slant for Tully for a first down.
Burlington picked up a six-yard screen to Jack Miller to set up a 4th-and-4, but a false start penalty made it 4th-and-long.
Opting not to try a potential game-winning 47-yard field goal, Burlington went for it.
Klug rolled left and threw back across his body to Miller, who got both hands on the ball before a Delavan defender batted it away.
Delavan ran out the clock and beat Burlington and former head coach Steve Tenhagen for the second time in three years.
“I think we played well as a whole unit, just at the end of the game it didn’t turn out the way we wanted to,” Klug said. “Delevan is a great team and has lots of weapons.”
Tully said the Demons played well.
“I honestly thought we went out and executed our game plan,” he said. “Delavan has a high-powered offense and our defense really stepped up tonight when we needed it. Unfortunately, they got that late score.”
Delavan slightly outgained Burlington, 386-376.
Klug played perhaps his best game of the season, in his sixth varsity start, going 20-for-42 for 332 yards.
Benzing went 20-for-34 for 280 yards and ran for another 63.
Jake Leonard led Burlington with 93 receiving yards on five catches.
Damon had six catches for 93 yards.
Ethan Cesarz (124) and Alder (104) both topped the century mark in receiving yards for Delavan.
The Demons were held to 44 rushing yards.
Delavan was penalized 10 times for 90 yards, while Burlington committed six penalties.
Burlington travels to Wilmot (5-1, 3-1 SLC) Friday night.
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