By Jennifer Eisenbart
Sports Editor
Welcome back, Zach Fischer.
In his first game since Sept. 2 because of a torn knee ligament, Fischer returned in style Friday, throwing three touchdown passes as Waterford routed Westosha Central 49-14.
The Wolverines improved to 3-1 in the SLC – with their only loss to Wilmot in that Sept. 2 game – and 5-1 overall.
With Wilmot losing to Lake Geneva Badger Friday, the SLC race gets more interesting. Badger is undefeated in the conference, but will play Waterford Friday, Oct. 14 – the final game of the regular season – at Badger at 7 p.m.
Waterford coach Adam Bakken says he’s not looking that far ahead.
“We have two games before that,” he explained.
One of the key components of any run Waterford makes will be Fischer, who showed little rust against the Falcons. The senior passed for 225 yards, completing six of six passes with no interceptions.
Backup quarterback Ryan Danbrea, who had been filling in for Fischer, caught on of the three touchdown passes – all in the second quarter. Fischer also connected with Dylan Dessart and Dustin Schindler.
“He was really efficient,” Bakken said. “It was good to see, because he’s been obviously limited in the amount of reps he’s had in practice.
“He makes us a better football team.”
Schindler finished with three huge catches for 134 yards on the night, the touchdown pass being 58 of those yards. Dessart’s touchdown pass of 45 yards was his only reception, as Danbrea’s 40 yarder was his only catch.
Complimenting the passing game was Waterford’s run attack. The Wolverines picked up 312 yards on the ground, with four runners picking up close to 50 yards or more.
Jordan Underly led the team with 90 yards on eight carries, but Greg Steffens and Tom Benko each had seven rushes for 60 yards, with Steffens scoring three times and Benko once.
Waterford finished with 525 yards of total offense, while holding Westosha – normally an explosive offensive team – to just 274 yards.
Most of those yards came courtesy of quarterback Tyler Stoxen, who completed 18 of 29 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown.
“We played really good against the run, and kind of forced them to throw the ball a little bit more than they planned on,” Bakken said. “We didn’t give up very many big plays.”
Next up for the Wolverines will be a trip to Union Grove today for a 7 p.m. contest. The two rivals normally give each other a close game, with Waterford winning by just four points in the SLC opener for both teams last season.
“I know it is a rivalry game, regardless of records,” Bakken said. “They’re going to play hard, we’re going to play had.
“I’m expecting a tough, physical game,” he added. “We certainly need to be ready to go.”
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