Game 3: Blue Dukes 27, Cedarburg 6

With stout run defense and power running, the Blue Dukes freshman team won their first road game of the season, defeating the Cedarburg frosh 27-6. The Bay freshman squad is now 3-0.
Cedarburg opened the game by kicking off out of bounds. The Blue Dukes took possession at their own 35, with a Cedarburg encroachment penalty advancing the ball to the 40. Nick Higgins (#43) ran for a first down, Matt Bernstein (#10) ran left for a good gain, Van Bassindale (#40) ran up the middle for more than 10 yards and a first down. Then Bassindale broke through the Cedarburg line and galloped to a first and goal at the 6.
After a couple of short runs and a penalty against Bay, Macklin Kortebein (#23) swept right, spun out of a tackle attempt and crossed the goal line for a TD. Bailey Wieland kicked the extra point. Bay, 7-0.
Following the kickoff, Bay’s run defense forced a 4th and 1 for Cedarburg at its own 29. Cedarburg jumped offside, making it 4th and 6, forcing a punt. Kortebein fielded the punt at the Bay 25, returning to about the 40. On second down, Bassindale broke a long run up the middle to the Cedarburg 41. On third and long, Bernstein ran left for a 1st down at the Cedarburg 31. Jake Fisher (#3) picked up a first down on a QB keeper. Bassindale took an inside handoff for the final yards to score a TD standing. The extra-point attempt was no good. Bay, 13-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, Kortebein, Higgins and Mark Mendoza (#22) crunched the returner deep in the Cedarburg end of the field.

Cedarburg picked up a first down running. But as the second quarter began, on 4th down at their own 36, Cedarburg tried to keep the chains moving with a pass, but it fell incomplete, thanks to vigorous pass defense from Bernstein. Bay took possession of the ball.
On a 4th and medium count, Fisher found Kortebein uncovered and hit him with a TD pass. A Higgins run on the conversion attempt was successful, but it was negated by a penalty against Bay. On the retry, the extra-point attempt from field goal distance was no good. Bay 19-0.
With 6:47 left in the half, Wieland kicked off. Cedarburg returned to its 39, with Wieland and Teddy Weber (#75) making the tackle. Bay forced a punt, and took possession of the ball at its own 43.
Bassindale picked up first downs on a short run and then a long one. Fisher plunged forward for another first down. A penalty on Bay wiped away a 4th and 2 conversion. A pass attempt on the ensuing 4th and 7 fell incomplete. Cedarburg assumed possession at their own 28.
On 3rd and long, Bassindale dumped a runner in the backfield for a loss, and the half ended.
Wieland kicked off to open the second half.  A Bay encroachment penalty gave Cedarburg a 2nd and 1. Cedarburg converted the first down running, then on 3rd and 9 completed a long pass to move deep into Bay territory. On 4th and 10+, the Cedarburg QB hit a receiver running down the sideline for a first down. Jesse Sanford (#59) knocked down a 3rd and 5 pass attempt, but Cedarburg completed a 4th down pass for 1st and goal at the 5. Cedarburg ran for the TD. The extra point attempt failed. Bay 19-6.
Bassindale returned the kickoff to the Bay 38. A Cedarburg encroachment penalty gave Bay 5 bonus yards. But the Cedarburg defense forced Bay to punt.
Higgins’ high, deep punt was enhanced by a friendly roll, pinning Cedarburg back at its own 12 yard line. Justin Fisher (#74) dropped a runner for a loss. The interior defense, led by Weber, stuffed another run attempt. Josiah Erving (#49) stuffed the third-down run attempt, forcing 4th and 13 from the 9.
Kortebein returned the punt to the Cedarburg 24. Fisher converted a 4th down run.  On a clever bit of deception, Kortebein ran for the TD. Fisher faked a handoff and ran for the two-point conversion attempt. Bay 27-6.
The 4th quarter ran out with Cedarburg unable to move the ball effectively and Bay’s reserve offense gaining experience. Weber punctuated the game by dropping a runner for a loss to end the game.
The freshman Blue Dukes next play at home at 4:15 p.m. Thursday Sept. 13 against Milwaukee Lutheran's frosh squad.

Game 2: Blue Dukes 48, Germantown 24

Photo courtesy of Nathan Wallin.

The Blue Dukes freshman squad never stopped running Aug. 30 at Lubar Stadium, stomping the freshman Germantown Warhawks 48-24 in a contest that was not as close as the score might indicate.

After Bay forced a 3-and-out on Germantown’s opening possession, the Blue Dukes took over at the Germantown 42.  The Blue Dukes showed the versatility of their running attack immediately. Matt Bernstein (#10) ran for 9 yards, Nick Higgins (#43) ran for 13 yards and Van Bassindale (#40) carried a flock of Warhawks defenders on his back for 8 more yards. Higgins carried to a 1^st and goal at the 2; Bassindale plunged through the middle of the line for the opening touchdown. Bailey Wieland (#25) kicked the extra point. Bay, 7-0.

Germantown mishandled Wieland’s strong kickoff, but regained the ball for a 1^st down at their own 18 yard line. Bay forced another punt, with Macklin Kortebein (#23) returning the ball to the Germantown 46. Bassindale ran to the 35 yard line. After an exchange of 5-yard penalties, Kortebein carried to the 24. Two plays later, Bassindale plowed to the 17. Two plays later, Kortebein carried to a 1^st and goal at the 5. Higgins ran for the touchdown. Wieland kicked the PAT. Bay, 14-0.

Germantown downed the ensuing kickoff at their own 28, and dug themselves a hole with a false-start penalty. On third down, Will Alt (#83) and Teddy Weber (#75) dropped the QB for no gain, forcing another punt, which Kortebein returned to the Bay 44. An explosive run by Kortebein to the Gtown 15 was unfortunately nullified by a Bay penalty.

Bay opened the 2^nd quarter with a 2^nd and long at their own 38. Kortebein ran to the 47. Bernstein glided to the Warhawk 46. Bassindale bulldozed his way to a 1^st down at the Warhawks 39. Twisting and cutting back, Kortebein scampered to a 1^st and goal at the Warhawks 5. Bassindale forced his way through the Warhawks line for the touchdown. The extra point attempt was blocked. Bay, 20-0.

On the kickoff, Patrick Collins (#65) and Paul Wilson (#70) downed the Germantown ball carrier at Gtown’s 21. The Warhawks turned to their short passing game, completing one to their big tight end. But Jonathan Downs (#67) dropped a running back for a loss on the next play. The Warhawks earned a first down and completed another dinky pass, but lost yardage on a false-start penalty. On third and short, bull-rushing linebacker Jesse Sanford (#59) dropped the Warhawks QB for a sack. On 4^th and 6, the pressured Warhawks QB threw a middle screen pass, but d-lineman Dreyel Taylor (#93) dropped the receiver immediately, to turn possession over to Bay at the Warhawks 34.

Unfortunately, on the next play, a Warhawks defender intercepted Bay’s pass and headed for a pick-6. Bassindale, flashing his sprinter speed, caught him behind at the Bay 7, saving a touchdown for the moment. Germantown completed a pass for the TD. On the extra point attempt, the presumed holder passed to the Warhawk receiver in the end zone for the two-point conversion. Bay, 20-8.

Germantown tried an onside kick, but Andrew James (#72) outfought a Warhaw to recover the ball. (A ref had to get prone on the ground where the two boys were hanging on to the ball to parse the possession.)

Bay 1^st down at its own 46. On 3^rd and 9, Higgins gained about 8.5 yards on a bruising run up the middle; a minor facemask penalty against Germantown gave Bay a first down. Three Bassindale carries produced another first down. Higgins carried multiple defenders on his back for another decent gain. Kortebein and Bassindale carried to within hailing distance of the goal line. On second and goal at 1, QB Jake Fisher (#3) plunged over the line for the TD. Wieland kicked the PAT. Bay, 27-8.

Germantown returned the ensuing kick to its 30. Germantown gained a 1^st down on a reverse, but the first half came to an end.

The second half opened with Alt recovering the Germantown kickoff on the Bay 33. Several runs, including a Bernstein scamper, gave Bay a 1^st down at Germantown’s 45. Higgins broke a tackle in the backfield and glided to the 32, with a horse-collar tackling penalty assessed against the Warhawks, taking the ball to the 17. Fisher completed a swing pass to Wieland for 4 yards. Then Higgins ran right 13 yards for a touchdown. Wieland kicked the PAT. Bay, 34-8.

On the kickoff, Kortebein tackled the returner at the Germantown 35. Playing against a Bay defense with many reserves in, Germantown marched down the field for a score on a QB keeper, and completed a pass for a 2-point conversion. Bay, 34-16.

Cole Miller (#9) took the Germantown kickoff at the Bay 41. With second effort, Bassindale gained a 1^st down on a 4^th down run to the Germantown 48. On the second play, Bassindale ran up the middle, saw daylight, and zoomed left for a TD. Wieland converted the extra point. Bay, 41-16.

On the next possession, Cole Miller (#9) intercepted a Warhawk pass, but the turnover was nullified by a Bay penalty. Germantown passed for a score, and passed for the two-point conversion. Bay, 41-24.

Wieland recovered the onside kickoff attempt at Bay’s 48. Bay drove to a 1^st and goal at the 7. Bernstein took a handoff and swept left into the end zone. Wieland kicked the PAT to conclude the game’s scoring. Bay, 48-24.   

Game 1: Blue Dukes 14, Slinger 0

Led by a stifling defense, the Class of 2016 began their Whitefish Bay High School football career by defeating the Slinger freshman team 14-0 at Lubar Stadium.

Nick Higgins (#43) returned Slinger's opening kickoff to the Bay 37. On the first play from scrimmage, running back Van Bassindale (#40) scampered 34 yards to the Slinger 29. After a false-start penalty pushed Bay back 5 yards, wingback Matt Bernstein (#10) recovered those yards on a 5-yard run. Higgins then ran up the middle, cut back to the left and dashed 24 yards to the Slinger 54-yard line. A few plays later, Bassindale punched the ball in for a 1-yard TD run. Higgins kicked the PAT. 7-0, Bay.

Slinger returned the ensuing kickoff to their own 48. The Bay run defense, with tackling by Teddy Weber (#75), Jesse Sanford (#59) and Bailey Wieland (#25) denied Slinger a first down and forced a punt.

Bay took possession of the ball on its own 33. Higgins ran right for a 1st down at the 46. Back-to-back penalties pushed Bay 10 yards back. A Jake Fisher (#3) pass to Higgins gained 7 yards. But Bay was ultimately forced to punt. Slinger took over at its own 39.

Wieland and Bassindale dropped a Slinger receiver for a minimal gain. Slinger gained a first down running up the middle, but Josiah Erving (#49) and Higgins tackled a runner and a receiver, respectively, short of a first down. Slinger punted, and Bay took possession at its own 20.

Fisher completed a pass to tight end Alec Lindfors (#7) for 9 yards. On 4th and 1, the Bay O-line surged forward and QB Fisher crossed the 30 for a 1st down. A subsequent 4th down pass was intercepted, with Slinger taking over on the Bay 48.

Erving and Weber stuffed a Slinger runner on the first carry, and an incomplete pass led to a Slinger punt. Bay took over at its 26. Bassindale alertly recovered a Bay fumble to keep possession of the ball. The offense stalled and Bay was forced to punt.

In a sequence that no doubt raised the resting heart rate of the Bay coaches, the ball was snapped well over punter Higgins' head and rolled into the end zone. Higgins scooted back to pick it up, ran out of the end zone, and just before being clobbered and/or pushed out of bounds by a Slinger defender, launched a low-flying punt to the Bay 30, where Slinger took the ball.

Running between the tackles, Slinger plowed inside the Bay 10, setting up a 1st and goal situation. But when the Sling QB and RB collided on an exchange, the runner fumbled the ball, and Justin Fisher (#74) recovered for Bay at the 5-yard line.

Bassindale gave the Bay offense some breathing room by rambling to the 43. Higgins gained 6 yards to the 49. Unfortunately, Bay could not gain a first down. A Higgins punt pinned Slinger back at its 19.

Slinger gained 5 yards on a Bay penalty, but the half ended without any drama. 7-0, Bay.

Slinger returned the 2nd-half kickoff to its own 31. When the Slinger QB fumbled the snap, Erving sacked him for an 11-yard loss to the 20. Unfortunately, a completed Slinger pass got the ball out to the 39 for a third and short, and Slinger gained the first down running. Bassindale and friends dropped the QB on a planned rollout for a minimal gain. On third and short at the Bay 47, Slinger threw incomplete. On 4th down, the big Slinger QB ran up the middle on a draw, but was stuff short of the first down by a posse that included Weber, Fisher, Sanford and Patrick Collins (#65). Bay took over at its own 48.

A false-start penalty pushed Bay back to its own 43. Bassindale took an inside handoff and powered his way to the Slinger 41. He then took the next handoff and charged left for a touchdown. Higgins kicked the PAT. 14-0, Bay.

Slinger turned the kickoff to its 26. On second and long, in one of the game's defensive highlights, defensive back Bernstein outpositioned and outplayed a receiver for a pass; only heroic effort by the receiver kept Bernie from coming down with an interception. Macklin Kortebein (#23) read the Slinger QB's next pass perfectly, and leapt in front of the receiver for an INT. Bay took possession at its own 45.

On 3rd and 5 at the 50, Kortebein twisted his way through and around the Slinger defenders for a 16-yard gain to the Slinger 34. Higgins ran 12 yards for another first down at the Slinger 12. Unfortunately, a false-start penalty pushed Bay back 5 yards. After a 4th down pass attempt fell incomplete, Slinger took over at its own 20.

Slinger gained a first down running, and with the aid of the Bay encroachment penalty began the 4th quarter on its own 41. Slinger marched as far as the Bay 20, but then an offense which had been enjoying success running threw two straight incomplete passes. An offensive holding call pushed the Owls back further. Bay took over on downs at its own 32.

A Bassindale surge took the ball to the Slinger 43. Kortebein carried to the 38, and Bernstein ran to nearly the 35. Bassindale plowed to the 30. Mark Mendoza (#22) continued the forward momentum, carrying to the 27. Unfortunately, a Bay fumble gave Slinger the ball at the 20 and at least the hope of getting on the scoreboard.

Two Slinger runs netted short gains. On third down, from a spread formation, the Slinger QB threw low and Higgins made a diving interception, sealing the shutout. QB Fisher took a knee twice in victory formation, and Blue Dukes freshmen recorded a 14-0 victory.

The next freshman game kicks off at 4:15 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30 at Lubar Stadium, with the Blue Dukes hosting Germantown.

Whitefish Bay Now preview of HS season

Says the WFBNow: Whitefish Bay football coach Jim Tietjen is busy tamping down brushfires of excitement as the Blue Dukes go into the 2012 season with anticipation of glory not seen since the early 1990s. "We're dropping passes, putting the ball on the ground (fumbles), we're just not as far as I would like us to be," he said. But that kind of pessimism is just smoke and mirrors to other area coaches and teams, who know that the Blue Dukes have more than 20 returners from a 2011 team that advanced to the third round of the WIAA state playoffs for the first time in school history, including NOW All-Suburban selections Rashadeem Gray (running back) and Jackson Weber (defensive back). Read the article here.

Game 6: Junior Blue Dukes BLUE 30, Mequon-Thiensville Red 6

The Junior Blue Dukes Blue team overpowered Mequon-Thiensville Red 30-6 Saturday at Whitefish Bay's Lubar Stadium.
In the 1st quarter, after forcing the Cardinals to punt, Van Bassindale ran around right end for a 75-yard TD. Unfortunately, the conversion attempt hit the upright. Bay 6-0.
On Mequon’s ensuing drive, Seamus Floyd blew up a pitch play by dumping the runner for a loss.
Continuing his season-long excellence at DB, Matt Bernstein nearly intercepted a Mequon pass.
Later in the second quarter, Mequon drove deep into Bay territory, but the defense derailed the drive, with Alec Lindfors knocking down and nearly intercepting a 4th down pass.
On the next play, QB Connor Kimple ripped off a long run into Mequon territory. A punishing Bassindale run and a Kimple rollout gave Bay a 1st and goal situation. Bassindale plowed through the defense for a touchdown. Kimple kicked the two-point conversion. Bay 14-0.
Mequon tried trickery at the end of the first half with a hook and ladder play, but Bassindale and Floyd sniffed it out and stopped the runner for no gain.
In the second half, from the Mequon 39, Kimple made a nice cut to avoid a rusher and sprinted down the left sideline for a touchdown. The conversion kick attempt was blocked. Bay 20-0.
The Bay defense continued strong. Teddy Weber blew up a Mequon screen, pushing the receiver out of bounds for no gain. Lindfors dumped a receiver in the flat for a loss, and also dropped a runner on a reverse for a loss.
Since Alec was born with suction cups for fingers, you knew another pick-six was coming in this game. It arrived in the 3rd quarter. The Bay pass rush harassed the QB, and possibly tipped the pass. Lindors pulled it in and galloped to the end zone for a touchdown. Kimple’s two-point conversion kick was good. Bay 28-0.
Other highlights: Nathan Kurtz intercepted a pass for Bay. Zach Casey caught a pass on the right sideline for a nice gain. Isaac Chavez dropped a Mequon runner for a loss. Bernstein caught a long pass from Ryan Hummer.
Late in the 4th quarter, with Mequon deep its own end, Weber sniffed out a trick play and dumped a runner in the end zone for a safety. Bay 30-0.
In garbage time, Mequon completed a halfback pass for a touchdown, but Bay blocked the two-point conversion attempt. Bay 30, Mequon 6.

Game 6: Junior Blue Dukes Gray 19, Franklin 16

In a game that was not decided until the final seconds, and one that featured two lead changes in the 4th quarter, the Junior Blue Dukes Gray team defeated the previously unbeaten Franklin Sabers on the Franklin home field Oct. 15. Many Gray players had a hand in this thrilling (if occasionally stomach churning) victory.
Coach Joe Wieland used running back Macklin Kortebein as the hammer to pound away at the Sabers defense. Frequently running behind the O-line power trio of Andrew James, Tony Schulz and Jacob Selby, Kortebein gashed the Sabers regularly for chain-moving chunks of yardage.
For their part, Franklin's talented QB, a nifty runner as well as strong passer, kept the Bay defense on its toes.
The game, played in a fairly strong and tricky wind, was scoreless until the 2nd quarter, when a long run put Franklin deep in Bay territory. Two pass completions later, the Sabers QB hit a receiver in the middle of the field, and he ran into the end zone. Franklin kicked the two-point conversion. 8-0, Sabers.
Kortebein returned the ensuing kickoff to the 45. He ripped off a series of strong runs, interspersed with a Jake Fisher pass to Carter Heston, to put Bay at the 15-yard line. Kortebein then took a handoff, ran up the middle, cut left and ran into the end zone for a touchdown. The two-point conversion kick was blocked. Franklin 8, Bay 6.
With little time left in the half, and Franklin due to receive the second-half kickoff, the Sabers might have sat on the ball. Instead, they opted to try to score, and Bay punished them for it.
The Franklin QB dropped back to pass, but was forced out of the pocket by pressure from Mark Mendoza. When the QB scrambled, Tony Schulz grabbed him and began to pull him to the ground. Will Alt slammed into the QB and forced a fumble, which bounced toward Nick Higgins. Higgins scooped it up at the Bay 45 and sprinted down the left sideline for a touchdown. Kortebein ran for a one-point conversion. Bay 13-8.
Franklin took the second-half kickoff and marched steadily down the field, mixing runs and passes, until it had a 1st and goal at the Bay. But the Bay defense held, turning the ball over on downs. Bay drove to nearly midfield, but was forced to punt. Two long runs and a pass put Franklin at the Bay 13. Bay seemed to have stopped the Sabers on a 4th down incomplete, but both a pass interference and personal foul penalty were assessed against Bay, giving Franklin new life just outside the goal line. The Franklin QB scored on a short run, and Franklin kicked the two-pointer. Franklin 16, Bay 13.
With scant minutes left, a deep kickoff pinned Bay at its own 12, and it looked bleak for Bay fans. But Kortebein hit Heston with a long halfback pass to the 41, digging Bay out of the hole. Another Kortebein halfback pass got Bay to the Franklin 40, but a fumble turned the ball over to Franklin. With less than two minutes, the game seemed over.
But a holding penalty put Franklin in a 1st and 20 situation. The Bay defense allowed nothing, and Coach Wieland used his 3 timeouts to preserve precious seconds. Franklin's punt gave Bay the ball at the Sabers 45.
On a draw play, Kortebein ran to the Franklin 29, and the Sabers were hit with a personal foul penalty for hitting Macklin out of bounds. With 1st and 10 at the 15, Fisher dropped back and lofted a pass to the streaking Nick Higgins in the end zone. With four defenders surrounding him, Higgins jumped up, arching backwards, and caught the game-winning TD pass. A point-after run was unsuccessful. Bay 19, Franklin 16.
Franklin tried to drive for a score with a variety of passes, including a halfback throw of their own, but the scrambling QB's 4th down pass was intercepted by Chris Siebert to seal the victory.

Game 4: Grafton 28, Junior Blue Dukes Blue 24

The Junior Blue Dukes Blue team lost a tough road game, 28-24, to the Grafton Black Hawks this past Saturday.

Grafton received the opening kickoff.  The Black Hawks drove steadily down the field via a mix of running plays, though Bay’s Matt Bernstein dropped the Grafton for a loss on a QB keeper to the outside. After Matt also successfully defended a deep pass on 4^th down  intended for much taller receiver, Bay took over on downs about its own 26 yard line.

When the stout Grafton defense forced a punt, the Grafton deep back muffed Connor Kimple’s punt,  and Zach Casey recovered, giving the Bay offense new life at midfield.

On 3^rd and short, Kimple called his own number on a quarterback draw, and raced more than 40 yards for  a Bay touchdown.  Kimple kicked the two-point conversion. Bay 8-0.

Grafton returned the ensuing kickoff to their own 40. Sticking to the run, the home team punched in a touchdown and kicked the two-point conversion. Tied, 8-8.

Van Bassindale returned the kickoff past the Bay 40.  On the first play from scrimmage, Bassindale raced more than 55 yards for a touchdown. Kimple kicked the 2-point conversion. Bay 16-8.

On the following possession, Grafton scored on an option run, with the QB pitching to the trailing back right before the QB was hit. Grafton failed on the two-point kick attempt. Bay 16-14.

With less than a minute left in the first half, Grafton ripped off a run of more than 50 yards for a touchdown. The two-point conversion kick was good. Grafton 22, Bay 16.

After a Bay turnover gave Grafton the ball near midfield with seconds left, the Orange might have been content to run out the clock. Instead, the Grafton QB overthrew a swing pass to his left. Bay linebacker Alec Lindfors read the play, jumped the route and took the interception back for a touchdown, his third pick-six of the season. Kimple kicked the two-point conversion. Bay 24, Grafton 22 at halftime.

In the third quarter, utilizing some short passes and aided by a face-mask penalty against Bay, Grafton moved to 1^st and goal, before scoring on a short touchdown run. The conversion kick attempt failed. Grafton 28, Bay 24.

After an exchange of punts, Bay began the 4^th quarter deep in its own territory. A swing pass to Zach Casey gained Bay a first down at its own 45, but a later 4^th down fell incomplete, giving the ball back to Grafton with a little more than 3 minutes left. Grafton gained enough yardage to run out the clock and secure a 28-24 victory.

Game 4: Junior Blue Dukes Gray 33, Milwaukee Hamilton 8

The Junior Blue Dukes Gray took to the air Saturday in defeating Milwaukee Hamilton, 33-8, on the southwest side.
The JBD defense also tackled in bunches, and receiver Carter Heston showed the power on concentration in a highlight moment.
Hamilton kicked off to Bay. On 2nd and 11 at their own 21, QB Jake Fisher hit Nick Higgins with a pass in the left flat. Higgins raced down the sideline past a couple of Hamilton defenders for a 79-yard touchdown. He also kicked the 2-point conversion. Bay, 8-0.
Hamilton's first drive stalled after Bay defender Andrew James caused havoc that forced a fumble. Macklin Kortebein returned the punt to the Bay 48. A long pass completion from Fisher to Carter Heston and another pass from Fisher to Bailey Wieland gave Bay a first and goal situation. Fisher then hit receiver Chris Siebert in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. The kick conversion attempt was no good. Bay, 14-0.
A long kickoff with little return pinned Hamilton deep its own end. Andew James dropped a running back for loss, and Kortebein, Jack Friesch, Paul Wilson, Mark Mendoza and Scott Rojahn all contributed tackles. Hamilton turned the ball over on downs.
On third down, Bay QB Fisher passed toward Carter Heston near the end zone. A Hamilton defender tipped the ball in the air, but Heston calmly gathered it in and strolled into the end zone for a touchdown. Higgins kicked the two-point conversion. Bay, 22-0.
Bailey Wieland's ensuing kickoff pinned Hamilton deep again. On third down, Nick Higgins intercepted a Hamilton pass over the middle. Two plays later, blocks by Kortebein and Jesse Sanford sealed off the contain defender. Higgins ran left, cut back sharply and glided into the end zone for a touchdown. Wieland kicked the two-point conversion. Bay 30-0.
Near the end of the first half, Kortebein derailed another Hamilton drive by intercepting a short pass.
Hamilton ran the second half kickoff back for an apparent touchdown, but that was nullified by a holding call that buried the Wildcats deep in their own end. After a short Bay drive stalled, Higgins kicked a 37-yard field goal to make the score Bay 33, Hamilton 0.
Both teams substituted freely as the second half went on. Hamilton scored a safety for two points after Bay fumbled in its own end zone and fell on it. Then Hamilton beat the Bay secondary with a long pass and run for the game's final touchdown.
The final score: Bay 33, Hamilton 8.

Game 3: Junior Blue Dukes Blue 14, Cedarburg Colts 8

The current 8th grade class of Junior Blue Dukes football players have accomplished many things since beginning play in the AAYFL in 5th grade.  Here's one of their proudest accomplishments: this grade of Junior Blue Dukes teams have defeated traditional rival Cedarburg four straight times.

These have been some of the tightest, hardest-fought games on our schedule, and Saturday's 14-8 victory over the Colts at Cedarburg was no exception.

After Bay’s opening drive fizzled, Cedarburg, employing its traditional tight formations disguised to hide the ball carrier, drove to the Bay 20. But safety Connor Kimple intercepted a Colts pass and returned it to the 30.

Cedarburg later intercepted a Bay sideline pass. Mixing runs and passes, Cedarburg scored on an inside run and kicked the 2-point conversion to take an 8-0 lead in the 2nd quarter.

Van Bassindale returned the ensuing kickoff to the Bay 38. With the offensive line opening holes, Bassindale ripped off several long runs to get Bay in scoring position. Then Kimple scored on a QB keeper with seconds left in the half, reaching the ball over the goal line. Kimple kicked the 2-point conversion for an 8-8 halftime tie.

Cedarburg returned Jonathan Downs’ 2nd half opening kickoff to midfield. Cedarburg drove to nearly the Bay 20, but on a 4th and 1 play, the Cedarburg back fumbled and Teddy Weber recovered for Bay.

On the ensuing drive, Kimple hit receiver Zach Casey in stride for a long gainer to the Cedarburg 30.

Unfortunately, the Bay drive petered out shortly after that, and the Colts took over on their own 29.

On 3rd down, Bassindale and Weber dropped a Cedarburg runner for a loss, forcing a punting situation. A high snap to the punter left him with no option but to go down with the ball, giving Bay prime field position at the Cedarburg 25. Kimple converted a 4th and 1 with a QB sneak, putting Bay on the 14. With less than 2 minutes left, Bassindale followed the block of Patrick Collins, plowing into the end zone for a touchdown. The conversion kick attempt was blocked. 14-8, Bay.

After the kickoff rolled out of bounds, Cedarburg started their final drive at their own 35. Cedarburg mostly threw. On one of the few well-placed passes, defensive back Matt Bernstein successfully pried the ball out of the receiver’s hands. Linebacker Alec Lindfors dumped a receiver who’d caught a pass in the flat. Justin Fisher and Evan Miller dropped the Cedarburg QB for a sack with 1:14 left on the clock, turning the ball over on downs. Bay ran out the clock and claimed victory.
Final score: Junior Blue Dukes Blue 14, Cedarburg Colts 8.

Game 3: Junior Blue Dukes GRAY 22, Whitnall 3

In a penalty-filled contest on a messy day, the Junior Blue Dukes Gray team punished the home team Whitnall Falcons for their mistakes more than the other way around. That accounts for Whitefish Bay's 22-3 victory in a lightning-shortened contest.
Whitnall took the opening kickoff and drove the ball down to 1st and goal at the 6, aided greatly by encroachment and personal foul penalties against WFB. But the Bay defense stiffened, holding Whitnall to a field goal. 3-0, Whitnall.
Bay came out in wildcat formation, with Macklin Kortebein and Nick Higgins taking direct snaps and running with the ball. On a 4th down play, QB Jake Fisher earned by a first down by drawing Whitnall offsides with his cadence. Whitnall had Bay stopped on 4th down at the 12, but a face-mask penalty on Whitnall gave Bay extended life. On 3rd and goal at the 10. Fisher hit Bailey Wieland in the end zone for a touchdown. (Bailey made a fine catch despite the Whitnall defender faceguarding him.) Higgins kicked the two-point conversion. Bay, 8-3.
After an exchange of punts, Whitnall had the ball with 2nd and 14 at their own 40. When the QB dropped back to pass, Bay defender Mark Mendoza pressured him. The QB's hasty pass landed in the arms of Kortebein, who took the interception back to the Whitnall 13. On 2nd and 7 at the 10, Fisher passed to Wieland for Bailey's 2nd touchdown of the day. The conversion kick was wide right. Bay, 14-3.
With time winding down in the first half, Higgins boomed a kickoff down to the Whitnall 15. It was returned to the 24, but a penalty of Whitnall pushed it back to the 12. The Bay defense forced a punt, which Kortebein returned to the 30 yard line. On the next play, Higgins took a handoff from Fisher, receiver Chris Siebert nailed his block to the ouside, and Higgins glided left for a 30-yard touchdown. The conversion kick was good. Bay 22-3.
Shortly after the 2nd half began, referees stopped the game because of lightning. After an interminable delay, victory was awarded to Bay.

Game 2: Junior Blue Dukes Gray 18, West Allis Wolverines 6

In a spirited battle Saturday afternoon at Lubar Stadium in Whitefish Bay, the big, tough West Allis Wolverines ran 13 plays on offense before the Junior Blue Dukes Gray team could run a play from scrimmage. The Wolverines forced three Bay turnovers, and made running up the middle extremely difficult.
But the Gray team, with its attacking defense, big-play offense and strong special teams, prevailed 18-6.
Give some credit to receiver Chris Siebert, who helped set up Bay's crucial second touchdown with his thinking. He spotted a mismatch in the secondary, and Bay switched receiver Carter Heston to that side. Heston beat his man deep for a 37-yard TD pass.
Bay kicked off to start the game and forced West Allis to punt. Unfortunately, Bay fumbled, giving the Wolverines a second chance. The Wolverines reeled off 9 plays in a row on offense, but Bay refused to yield anything big. After a face-mask penalty pushed them into 4th and long at the WFB 30, the Wolverines fumbled the center exchange, and Bay took over on downs.
QB Jake Fisher immediately shook up the WA sideline with a long pass completion down the middle to Nick Higgins. But Bay found it hard to run the ball inside against a strong Wolverines defense.
On 4th down, Higgins punted. A Wolverines player muffed the ball at his own 14. Macklin Kortebein pounced on the ball at 1-yard line for Bay. (Kortebein also led the defense on the day with 5.5 tackles.)
Two plays later, Fisher plunged into the end zone for a touchdown. Higgins kicked the 2-point conversion, 8-0, Bay.
That would be the only scoring in the first half, though Bay foreshadowed later events when Fisher hit Heston at the right sideline for a 24-yard gain.
Early in the second half, the Wolverines intercepted a Bay pass and returned it to the Bay 10 for first goal. On 4th down, the QB hit his tall receiver for a touchdown, but the Wolverines kicker missed the conversion attempt. 8-6, Bay.
Higgins returned the ensuing kickoff to the 35. Then Fisher completed consecutive passes of 27 and 37 yards to Heston, the second one resulting in a touchdown. Higgins kicked the two-point conversion. Bay, 16-6.
The two teams traded turnovers on the following series, with Mark Mendoza recovering a fumble for Bay and West Allis intercepting a pass. When West Allis later stymied the Bay offense, Higgins hit a punt to the West Allis 23, which then rolled to the 4-yard line, where Fisher downed it. On the following play, the Wolverines quarterback dropped back to pass. He did not reckon with the man-size fury of Andrew James, who walloped him in the end zone for a safety. Bay, 18-6.
Bay returned the ensuing free kick to the West Allis 45. Unfortunately, a promising drive ended with a fumble, recovered by West Allis on its own 17.
The Wolverines began their final drive, a 13-play marathon of throwing and scrambling that tested the skills and intensity of both sides. James and Mendoza both made big sacks that slowed the Wolverines' progress. Finally, on 3rd and long at the Bay 30, Mendoza sacked the Wolverines quarterback and forced a fumble, recovered by Will Alt. Bay used up most of the clock, and Higgins' final punt of the game rolled to a stop at the West Allis 21 as time expired.
The final score: Junior Blue Dukes 18, Wolverines 6.

Game 1: Junior Blue Dukes BLUE 30, Germantown Blue 0

The Junior Blue Dukes 8th grade Blue team enjoyed a successful home opener with a 30-0 victory over the Germantown Hawks at scenic Lubar Stadium.
Van Bassindale took the opening kickoff back 75 yards up the middle, untouched, for a touchdown. Connor Kimple kicked the two-point converstion. 8-0, Bay.
On third and long, Matt Bernstein picked off a Germantown pass to put the Blue squad at the Germantown 41. Four plays later, quarterback Kimple kept the ball and ran left for a 30-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion attempt was no good. 14-0, Bay.
On the next series, Seamus Floyd recovered a fumble to give Bay the ball at its own 44. The Blue team drove down to the Germantown 31, but turned the ball over on downs.
In the second quarter, Bassindale scored on a short run, with Kimple kicking the two-point conversion to make the score 22-0, Bay. Aided by a face-masking penalty on the Bay, Germantown drove into Bay territory near the end of the second quarter, but the Blue defense kept the Hawks out of the end zone.
The only scoring in the second half came when linebacker Alec Lindfors, the human pterodactyl, jumped a pass route and took the ball 30 yards for a touchdown, making a nifty cut to avoid a would-be tackler on the way. Kimple kicked the two-point conversion (from further than normal due to a penalty). 30-0, Bay.
Late in the half, Zach Casey took an inside handoff and ran 44 yards to the end zone. Unfortunately, it was nullified by a penalty. The final score was 30-0.

Game 1: Junior Blue Dukes GRAY 19, Cudahy 13

In their home and season opener, the 8th grade Junior Blue Dukes Gray team used a big first-quarter of offense and an opportunistic defense to defeat the visiting Cudahy Bulldogs, 19-13.
On the game's opening drive, a 12-yard run by Macklin Kortebein and long pass completions from quarterback Jake Fischer to Carter Heston and Nick Higgins left the Bay team with first and goal at the 4. Kortebein ran up the middle for the TD; Higgins kicked the 2-point conversion. 8-0, Bay.
A promising drive for Cudahy was snuffed out deep in Bay territory when Junior Blue Dukes player Paul Wilson recovered a fumble. Unfortunately, a later Bay fumble gave the ball back to Cudahy at their own 43. Bay defender Tony Schulz dropped a Cudahy runner for a big loss. Cudahy got a second chance because of a Bay penalty on a Cudahy punt, but Bay's Charlie Cohen recovered a fumble to give Bay the ball at its own 45. Four strong runs by Kortebein, threaded with a long Higgins run and a Fisher pass to Wieland put Bay back in first and goal territory. Receiver Carter Heston made a beautiful one-handed grab in the corner of the end zone for a Bay TD. Higgins kicked the two-point conversion. 16-0, Bay.
Bay held Cudahy and forced a punt, which Kortebein returned to the 2-yard goal. Hurt by a penalty, Bay was not able to punch it in, so Higgins kicked a 32-yard field goal for 3 points. 19-0, Bay, at halftime.
In the third quarter, a miscue led to Cudahy's first score. A pitch from the Bay QB to a running back was tipped by a defender, who recovered it in the end zone for a score. A run for the point after touchdown failed. 19-6, Bay.
With less than a minute in the game, Cudahy completed a 31-yard pass for a TD, and passed successfully for a one-point conversion, making the score 19-13, Bay. Cudahy recovered its onside kick attempt with 41 seconds left, but on the next play Jake Fisher intercepted a pass to effectively end the game.
In addition to the other turnovers mentioned, Chris Siebert recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass in the game.
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Aug. 31 Scrimmage Details

Both the BLUE (Fuda) and GREY (Wieland) teams will scrimmage Wednesday Aug. 31 at Longfellow Middle School in Wauwatosa.

The carpool and caravan will leave from our Lydell practice field promptly at 5 p.m. Wednesday. If you're driving straight to Longfellow in Tosa, players needed to be on the field and in gear for warmups at 5:30 p.m. Scrimmage action commences at 5:50 p.m. 

Players need to bring plenty of water. They work hard on the field, plus they sweat when coaches yell at them.

Here is a Google map that shows the location of the school and field:

Linemen warming up