(7) Union Grove 27, (2) Greenfield 6
Grove offensive balance faces tough test from Waterford ‘D’
By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
Union Grove coach Craig McClelland said if his team played a complete game in the first game of the playoffs, the Broncos would have a chance to beat anyone, regardless of record.
It wasn’t conventional, and gunslinger Matt Nelson was held in check due to rainy and muddy conditions, but the Broncos scores 20 unanswered points in less than 30 minutes to knock off second-seeded Greenfield, 27-6, in a Division 2 Level 1 playoff game Oct. 23 in Greenfield.
Union Grove was seeded seventh with a 6-3 record and had to take on the Woodland Conference champion Greenfield, which finished the season at 7-3.
The Broncos’ upset victory was perhaps the most impressive for the Southern Lakes Conference, which shined with a 4-1 record in the opening playoff round.
The Grove and Wilmot pulled off upsets with blowout wins, and Lake Geneva Badger and Waterford dominated as well. Delavan-Darien was the only conference team to lose.
Normally prolific through the air, Nelson was limited to four pass attempts but made up for it on the ground with three rushing touchdowns.
The Broncos totaled 182 yards on the ground and dominated the line of scrimmage. They also benefitted from three turnovers.
The ball slipped out of Nelson and others’ hands all night long, but fortunately the Grove was able to cover several of its fumbles.
“We didn’t come in here thinking we were going to lose,” McClelland said. “We drew the short straw at the seeding meeting. People were saying the SLC isn’t strong, and I think we showed them tonight it’s a pretty powerful conference.”
“We’re happy with this, but we’re not satisfied.”
After Greenfield scored its only touchdown with 27 seconds left in the first half, it seemed the game would go into halftime with the Grove in front 7-6.
But on the ensuing kickoff, Toby Robe took it 72 yards to pay dirt behind solid blocking. The special teams play increased the Broncos’ lead to 13-6 at the half and kept the pressure on Greenfield.
“We had a return to their strong side,” Robe said. “I followed Joe (Peterson) through the hole, and he led me to freedom. I wasn’t really touched.”
The third quarter was back and forth, as the Grove defense stymied Greenfield. TJ Cadd secured an interception, but the Grove gave the ball right back a few plays later.
Then, it was special teams again that caused the turning point of the second half.
Linemen Evan Storm-Voltz and Clayton Esch bursted through the line on a Greenfield punt and lunged for a block. The ball only flew about 10 yards and was recovered by the Broncos.
After a Cadd first-down run got the Broncos into Greenfield territory, Nelson reeled off a 15-yard run on third and 12.
The drive carried over into the fourth quarter, and on third and goal, Nelson dove in from 1 yard out to make it 20-6 with 10:28 remaining.
On Greenfield’s next possession, Tyrell Laxton deflected a deep ball on fourth down to give the ball back to the Broncos, and Union Grove hammered the nail in the Hawks’ coffin.
Cadd and John Rawley registered punishing first-down runs, as the Grove offensive line punished Greenfield.
The strong Grove faithful of students, geared up in rain jackets and umbrellas, turned their cheers up to 100 when Nelson faked a handoff left, booted out to his right and kept it for a six-yard touchdown.
The long, run-heavy drive made it 27-6 with 7:19 left.
On the next drive, Austin Walker and Storm-Voltz came up with a big tackle for loss moments before a Laxton interception.
With five minutes left, the Broncos ran out most of the clock.
After the clock struck zeroes and the Broncos shook hands, they continued their tradition of running over to the student section and singing their school song.
“We worked hard, and we owned it in the trenches,” said lineman Holden Whybark. “Our lines did a great job.”
“I think we can beat Waterford. We have to stop their run. If we do that, we can get our offense going.”
Cadd led the way with 73 yards rushing, and Rawley added 43.
A tall task in Waterford
Waterford ran all over the Grove defense in the teams’ regular-season meeting, building a 30-17 lead before winning 30-24.
While the Wolverines eventually overpowered the Broncos, the Grove put up 17 straight points to tie the game at 17-17 at halftime.
“We have to have our power running game working,” Waterford coach Adam Bakken said of tonight’s matchup. “We have to complete some passes to loosen up their defense. They’re going to put eight or nine guys in the box and try to stop our run.”
The winner will take on the winner of Wilmot and Waukesha West in a Level 3 playoff game Nov. 6.
McClelland said it will be exciting to play Waterford again, and he said the Broncos must keep the ball longer than they did in the first meeting.
“We have to take care of the ball, limit our turnovers and limit their possessions,” he said. “We need to grind it out. Their defense is great.”
Though Nelson had success through the air with 226 yards and three touchdowns against Waterford, and Peterson caught eight passes for 111 yards and two scores, the Grove was held to 31 yards rushing on 21 carries.
Conversely, Waterford racked up 219 rushing yards, led by Ben Michalowski’s 119 yards and two touchdowns.
Waterford is 5-0 at home this season, outscoring opponents 197-42.
Union Grove is 5-0 on the road, including quality wins over Delavan-Darien, Burlington and Greenfield.
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