Waterford football exacts revenge on Racine Case

Wolverines host Wilmot Friday in pivotal SLC showdown

By Chris Bennett

Sports Correspondent

The Waterford Union High School football team scratched a year-old itch Aug. 28 in a non-conference game at home against Racine Case.

The Wolverines used an emergent offense and a stiff defense and beat the Eagles 34-7 to improve to 2-0 before opening Southern Lakes Conference play Friday at home against Wilmot.

Waterford lost 7-6 to Case in non-conference play last season. Wolverines coach Adam Bakken mentioned he hadn’t forgotten the game prior to this season’s matchup.

Waterford finished with 312 yards of offense against Case – 177 rushing and 135 passing.
“We were really balanced on offense,” Bakken said. “We had a number of guys carry the ball. Sam Allen made some good throws to Dyln (Ross) and Johnny (McCormick).”

Bakken said the Wolverines’ offensive line blocked better against Case than it did a week earlier in Waterford’s 18-7 non-conference victory against West Allis Hale at West Allis.

Waterford never trailed the Eagles and led 28-0 before Case scored. The Wolverines took control with 20 points in the second quarter.

Ben Michalowski opened the scoring in the second quarter with a 19-yard touchdown run. Allen then found McCormick on a 47-yard touchdown pass.

Waterford’s defense contributed a score when Ross returned an interception 31 yards for another second quarter touchdown.

“We had two or three big plays,” Bakken said. “We scored quick.”

Allen started the offensive fireworks in the first quarter with a 10-yard touchdown run. Ross punctuated Waterford’s performance with a 29-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

Anthony Miller led Waterford in rushing with 67 yards on 14 carries. Michalowski rushed for 23 yards on five carries a week after leading the Wolverines with 46 yards on 10 carries, displaying the Wolverines’ backfield depth.

Ten different players recorded at least one carry for Waterford.

“We might have a different leading rusher almost every week,” Bakken said. “That’s just how it’s going to go.”

Allen completed five of 12 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another 55 yards and a score on six carries.

“Sam’s a really good leader,” Bakken said. “He’s very smart. He gets everyone in the right position. He’s a dual threat to run and pass. He’s doing a really good job leading our offense.”

Waterford’s defense intercepted Case quarterback Michael Lepow three times. Ross finished with two interceptions and Kevin Huckstorf with one.

Case finished with just 157 yards of offense – 116 yards rushing and another 41 yards passing.

“Defensively, we didn’t give up a big play,” Bakken said. “It was a really solid effort. We were able to get some short fields and turn those into points a few times.

“Case is pretty young. They have a sophomore quarterback. Things will get much more difficult once we get into our conference season.”

Wilmot improved to 2-0 in non-conference play with a 41-13 victory against Cudahy Aug. 28 at Cudahy.

“They looked really good, and they’re 2-0 for a reason,” Bakken said. “They’ve got some weapons on offense. They’re very athletic up front on both their offensive and defensive lines.

“It’s going to certainly be a good challenge right off the bat.”

The Panthers beat Waterford 18-0 last season Sept. 12 at Wilmot.

In other Aug. 28 games involving SLC teams, Badger (1-1) lost 26-25 at Kenosha Bradford. Burlington (2-0) beat Racine Horlick 39-24 and Westosha Central (0-2) lost 58-15 at Zion-Benton (Ill).

Elkhorn (2-0) beat East Troy 28-7 and Union Grove (2-0) won 12-7 at Wauwatosa East. Delavan-Darien (2-0) beat Big Foot 41-28.

Burlington plays at Badger, Central plays at Union Grove and Delavan-Darien plays Elkhorn in Friday’s remaining SLC contests.