Led by a suffocating defense, and fueled by big plays on both sides of the line of scrimmage, the Junior Blue Dukes rolled to a 38-0 victory over Nicolet Sept. 12 at Nicolet High School Field.
The Blue Dukes overcame an early turnover to take the lead on Macklin Kortebein's 35-yard fumble return. In the second quarter, the Blue Dukes racked up touchdowns on a Bailey Weiland run and TD passes from Jake Fisher to Zach Casey and Anthony Enea. In the second half, Casey scored on a long run and Van Bassindale zoomed to the house after deftly stripping a Nicolet back of the ball.
Fisher and Bassindale tailed the two successful extra points in the game.
Nicolet tried to run to the outside on the Blue Dukes, but the swarming defense would have nothing of it. According to coach Jon Bassindale's preliminary tally, at least 14 Blue Dukes players were in on tackles. One of the tackling highlights occurred when Jonathan Downs introduced himself to a Nicolet ball carrier with a pad-crunching hit that knocked him flat.
Blue Dukes stalwart Ryan Hummer was banged up and had to leave the game, but Ryan and his dad Steve reported he will be practicing fully Wednesday and expects to play in Saturday's home game against Homestead.
Coach Joe Wieland encouraged players to enjoy the victory but also to remember that Homestead, our next opponent, isn't reading our press clippings.
The Homestead game begins at noon Saturday, Sept. 19, at lovely Lubar Stadium in Whitefish Bay.
