Waterford Football 21, West Allis Hale 3
5-time defending conference champs win lightning-shortened opener
By Chris Bennett
Sports Correspondent
The Waterford Union High School football team played only one half Aug. 19 in its season opener at home against West Allis Hale, but put forth effort worthy of a complete game.
The Wolverines rushed for more than 200 yards, limited the Huskies to 25 yards of total offense and won 21-3.
Waterford beat Hale 18-7 at West Allis in last year’s season opener. The Wolverines (1-0) have won three straight season openers.
Waterford plays Case (0-1) tonight in a non-conference game at Hammes Field, which is at Case High School in Racine. The Eagles opened their 2016 season Aug. 19 at Burlington and lost, 32-20.
Lightning forced Waterford’s home opener to a close after one half of football. Wolverines coach Adam Bakken said his staff got a good look at the team during game action.
“We obviously would like to have got a full game in,” Bakken said. “It’s hard to simulate game reps in practice, but in the half we did play we did some really good things, both offensively and defensively.”
Hale barely left the bus before pulling out all the stops against Waterford. The Huskies opted for a flea flicker on their first play from scrimmage. Bakken said Nolan Webber made a touchdown-saving tackle, and the Wolverines’ defense limited Hale to a field goal.
The field goal proved to be the Huskies’ only points of the night. Hale managed two first downs and 25 yards of offense following their trickery.
“I’m happy with how our defense responded,” Bakken said. “We shut them out the rest of the half.”
Wolverines welcome back hogs
Waterford’s offense returns most of its offensive line and starting backfield from last season. The Wolverines rushed for 212 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries against the Huskies.
“Running the ball should be our strength this year, with the backs we have,” Bakken said. “(Quarterback) Mike Korman runs the ball really well – you kind of have to key on him defensively.
“To have 200 yards rushing in a half is outstanding, but it’s something we’re going to try and establish every game.”
Ben Michalowski rushed for 79 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. Alex Guardiola and Jared Krattiger each rushed for a touchdown.
Defensively, Michalowski finished with 10 total tackles. Hunter Keller and Austin Thomas each finished with six total tackles.
Waterford is facing one of the state’s fastest football players tonight in Case running back Dwayne Ford. Ford finished third last spring in Division 1 in the 100-meter dash at the state track and field meet.
Ford gashed the Demons’ defense for 98 yards on six carries. Discipline on defense will be key for the Wolverines – Bakken said no one on the Wolverines’ roster is fast enough to chase down Ford.
Case, which is without a winning season since 1993, is installing a new offense. Such a thing is usually done in pieces, and the Eagles will likely reveal new looks against Waterford.
Bakken said Case played Burlington closer than the final score indicates, and some special teams gaffes by the Eagles helped the Demons.
“We also know we went down there two years ago and they beat us 7-6,” Bakken said. “We haven’t forgotten them. At least I haven’t.”
SLC deeper than ever
Case beat Waterford 7-6 at Hammes Field on Aug. 29, 2014. The Eagles finished the 2014 season with a record of 3-6, and Waterford went 7-4 and finished in a four-way tie with Elkhorn, Wilmot and Burlington for the Southern Lakes Conference title.
Bakken said four teams sharing a conference title means no one was any good. Waterford has claimed a piece of the SLC for five years running, and won the conference outright in 2012.
The Wolverines return a potent, experienced mix of size and speed on offense. Zachary Stiewe, Wyatt Shipley, E.J. Mastrocola and Brady Francisco are returning starters, and will block for Michalowski and Krattiger.
The Wolverines’ defensive prowess under Bakken, in his sixth season as head coach, is well established. Nick Salazar returns on the defensive line. Michalowski, Krattiger, Keller and Dan Noll will play at linebacker and Weber is at free safety.
Waterford opens SLC play Sept. 2 at Wilmot. Bakken said the SLC is at its strongest point since he took over at Waterford.
“The level of competition, from week to week, is the best it’s been,” Bakken said. “You need to be sure you improve each week and we don’t take a step back.”
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