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 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 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 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.

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:

Game 8: Junior Blue Dukes BLUE 27, West Bend East 6

[Highlights with music and with volume of WBE fans turned down. The song is "Come on with the 'Come On,'" by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, originally by Cab Calloway.]


[Highlights without music, but with very loud West Bend East fans commenting throughout. Don't say I didn't warn you.]

The JBD7 Blue team finished off its undefeated season in character, distributing the ball and the glory in a 27-6 road victory at West Bend East.
Macklin Kortebein returned the opening kickoff to the West Bend 43. On third down, QB Jake Fischer found WR Carter Heston, who had beaten his defender, at the 20 for a first down. RB Will Alt gained more than five yards on a second-down run. Then, on fourth down, Fischer pitched to Kortebein, who ran around the left side into the end zone. Bay lined up in kick formation for the PAT, but holder Fischer took the snap, stood up and fired the pigskin to Anthony Enea in the endzone for a point. 7-0, Bay.
On the next series, West Bend went for it on fourth down, but Kortebein and Josiah Erving stuff a ball carrier to turn the ball over to Bay deep in West Bend territory. Bay converted a 4th down try of its own on a pass from Fischer to WR Connor Kimple. Bailey Wieland fought through a would-be tackler to pick up another first down. But a 4th down pass fell incomplete, and West Bend regained possession.
West Bend methodically worked its way down the field, with several effective screen passes and aided by a couple of Bay penalties. A touchdown plunge made the score 7-6, but West Bend's conversion pass attempt fell incomplete.
Kortebein covered half the distance to the Equator on a long, winding run that brought Bay well into West Bend territory, but timed expired in the half.
After receiving the second-half kickoff, West Bend worked into Bay territory. But on a fourth-down play, the WB QB mishandled the snap, and Patrick Collins and company dropped him for a loss and exchange of possession.
Aided by an Alec Lindfors blocked downfield, Fischer ran close enough to smell the goal line. Alt took an inside handoff up the middle for the TD. 13-6, Bay.
In the fourth quarter, Bay broke the game open. Fischer, who had brought his offense close to payday with a nice run on a QB draw, threw to Anthony (Pogo) Pogorelc for a TD. Wieland kicked the two-point conversion. Bay 21-6.
On the final drive, Coach Joe Wieland distributed the ball around his skill players in a way that both kept West Bend guessing and must have made Bay parents happy. Fischer picked up another long gainer after faking a pitch backward (if Jake is not careful, he may grow up to be an option QB). RB Josiah Erving slipped a tackle and took the rock to the house for the final score. Enea picked off a West Bend finish to seal the victory, 27-6.
The JBD7 teams finished a combined 15-1 this season. This grade's three-year record is 28-2-1 (though I am not a math teacher, fell free to check my work).
Stay tuned for news about our combined post-season party and celebration.

Games 6: Junior Blue Dukes BLUE 35, Nicolet 0

The JBD7 team took a sporting and sportsmanlike approach to Saturday's game against an undermanned Nicolet team. Coach Joe Wieland and company used the contest to spread playing time around to the whole roster in the 35-0 victory.
Bay kicked off. Jake Fisher raced downfield to make a convincing tackle just outside the 20-yard line. Bay held, and Andrew James blocked the ensuing punt. Fisher passed to Bailey Weiland to bring the ball close to the goal, then Weiland took a handoff and ran in for a score. Bay set up in kick formation for the XP conversion, but Fisher stood up and pass to Anthony Enea for the point. 7-0, Bay.
After holding Nicolet again, a Josiah Erving run put Bay in good position, then Fisher passed to Connor Kimple in the end zone for a score. Weiland kicked the 2-point conversion. 15-0, Bay.
Erving was the workhorse on next Bay offensive series, ripping off three long runs, one sprung by an Andrew James block. He scored the TD to make it 21-0, Bay.
On the next drive, Fisher took the snap and passed backward to Macklin Kortebein. (Yes, you know what's coming next.) Kortebein fired an immaculate double pass to receiver Chris Siebert, who was standing alone in his own zip code. Siebert dashed toward the goal line, but was tackled just inches short of paydirt.
Later, Kimple flushed the Nicolet QB out of the pocket but could not bring him down. The QB took off for a big gainer past the 50-yard-line, but alert Bay defender Wieland stripped the ball from him. Kortebein, who was probably going through withdrawl pain after not touching the football, scooped it up and raced to the house for a TD. Anthony Pogorelc caught a pass for the XP. 28-0, Bay.
Alec Lindfors hit a beautiful coffin-corner punt that Fisher and Kortebein downed about the 1-yard line to pin Nicolet in dangerous territory. After Bay regained possession, Enea ran a quarterback draw for the final TD. Erving ran up the middle for the XP, making the final score Bay 35, Nicolet 0.

Game 4: Junior Blue Dukes BLUE 19, Mequon-Thiensville 6

Carter Heston caught two touchdown passes from Jake Fisher, and Bailey Wieland kicked a pair of two-point conversions and a field goal to lead the visiting Junior Blue Dukes Blue team to a 19-6 victory over Mequon-Thiensville (aka Homestead).
Bay received the opening kickoff, but were forced to punt. Mequon-Thiensville picked up some yardage, but were turned back on fourth down by a strong Patrick Collins tackle. Early in the second quarter, Macklin Kortebein scampered up the middle for a first down, and quarterback Jake Fisher earned another first down on a keeper. On second down, just over the midfield marker on Mequon's side of the field, Fisher launched on a rainbow down the right sideline. Wide receiver Carter Heston had gotten behind his defender. Heston calmly pulled the ball in and raced to the end zone. Wieland kicked the 2-point conversion. 8-0, Bay.
Mequon returned to its grind-it-out running game, but Bay's swarming defense turned up the intensity. Defensive end Alec Lindfors blew up a third-down run by taking out two blockers, and Collins swooped in behind him to make the tackle. After a short punt, Bay took over in Mequon territory. Bay picked up a first down on a pass to Kortebein, and gained more yards on a pass to Wieland and a bootleg by Fisher. Fisher then launched another rainbow to the right corner of the end zone to Heston, who had worked his way behind his defender again. Wieland kicked the two-point conversion. After the kickoff, Collins sacked a Mequon ball carrier for a loss to end the half. Bay 16, Mequon-Thiensville 0.
Mequon received the second-half kickoff, but accomplished little. On fourth down, the punter bobbled the snap, and a swarm of Blue Dukes, led by Andrew James, wrestled him to the ground. But Mequon was equally stout on D, and the ball went back to the home team after four downs, then back to Bay.
Kortebein broke off a long run to bring Bay within hailing distance of the goal line. Early in the 4th quarter, after a third-down pass attempt had fallen incomplete, Bailey Wieland kicked the first field goal in the Junior Blue Dukes annals of this class, about a 20-yarder. 19-0, Bay.
A well-executed fake by Mequon's quarterback bought the time to find an open receiver, who brought the home team close to the goal line. A speedy runner got outside containment to score a touchdown, but the conversion kick attempt failed. 19-6, Bay.
Wieland deftly covered up Mequon's attempted onside kick. Running back Josiah Erving picked up positive yards on a pair of runs, then quarterback Anthony Enea ripped off a long gain on a bootleg for a first down. Bay was close enough to the goal line to press the issue if it wanted, but Enea took a knee to close out the contest at 19-6.
Thanks to John Brewster for providing the video I watched to construct this account of the game. As usual, any mistakes I've made in summarizing it are strictly my fault, no one else's.

The Well-Rounded Athlete

Before he tackles ball carriers, Junior Blue Dukes player Cullen Keiper tackles the ivories.

Game 3: JBD7 BLUE 22, Kewaskum 16

 Playing on the Lydell practice field because of a schedule conflict, the Junior Blue Dukes 7th grade BLUE team defeated Kewaskum 22-16 Saturday morning. Whitefish Bay dominated the run of play, but Kewaskum struck for two long TDs (and kicked a pair of two-point conversions) to keep the outcome in doubt until the end. Ultimately, Bay's variety on offense and quality of execution prevailed.
Macklin Kortebein returned the opening kickoff to midfield. Working out of a one-back, four-receiver set, Kortebein first made a short gain on a pass in the flat, then, behind a strong offensive line, gashed Kewaskum for two long runs, the second one a TD. On the extra point attempt, quarterback Jake Fisher faked a handoff to Bailey Weiland, then passed to Kortebein on the left for the point. 7-0, Whitefish Bay.
 However, on the first play from scrimmage after the ensuing kickoff, a Kewaskum running back got outside containment on the right and scampered the length of the field for a TD. Kewaskum kicked the two-point conversion. 8-7, Kewaskum.
 Kortebein once again returned the kickoff to the middle of the field. On third down, Kortebein gained nine yards on a nifty shovel pass from Fisher, then Fisher plunged through the line on a QB keeper for a first down. A pass to Weiland on the left gained another first down. Then, early in the second quarter, Fisher threw a fade pass to Connor Kimple in the right corner of the end zone for a TD. On the extra point try, Kimple, coming from the right, took a pitch from Fisher and ran unmolested into the end zone for the conversion. Whitefish Bay 14, Kewaskum 8.
 The Junior Blue Dukes stopped Kewaskum and forced a punt. Fisher kept a Bay drive alive with a run up the right sideline for first down. After a couple of sacks and tackles for loss, on 4th down, Kimple ran for a long gainer out of punt formation for a first down. However, time in the first half ran out before Bay could punch in another score.
 In the second half, the teams traded possessions without scoring. Then, on Kewaskum's second drive, Andrew James forced a fumble that was recovered by Johnny Misey. On offense, a shovel pass to Kortebein produced a long gain. Fisher gained tough yards on a QB keeper, then drew Kewaskum offside with a fine hard count for a first down. Fisher ran a bootleg to the left, and with receiver Chris Siebert sealing off his defender, the Bay QB made it nearly to the goal line. On the next play, Fisher threw a fade pass to Carter Heston in the left corner of the end zone for a TD. Weiland kicked the two-point conversion. WFB 22, Kewaskum 8.
 But Kewaskum came right back, with a long run right, a short pass left and a long pass left for a TD.    The kick conversion was good for two points. WFB 22, Kewaskum 16 in the fourth quarter.
 Kewaskum tried a low line drive onside kick, but Kimple caught it and fell to the ground to keep possession for Bay.
After turning the ball over on downs, Kewaskum had one more shot, but Fisher intercepted an overthrown pass to secure the victory for the Blue team.

Video: Highlights from JBD7 Blue at Cedar Grove

Video Highlights from JBD7 Blue vs. Germantown Gold

Footnote: Unfortunately, video of Alec Lindfors fumble return for a TD not available due to technical difficulties. It was a great return by Alec of a fumble caused by a strip by Connor Kimple.

Game 1: Junior Blue Dukes BLUE 24, Germantown Gold 0

Connor Kimple caught two touchdown passes, Wilt Alt ran for a score and Alec Lindors returned a recovered fumble for a TD as the Junior Blue Dukes Blue team won their home opener against Germantown.

BLUE team scrimmage wear update

Uniform for tomorrow's (Sept. 2) scrimmage:  Blue game jerseys and blue game pants.  If your player needs a ride, please drop them off at Lydell by 4:30.   
Thanks, 
John Brewster 
jbrewster@wi.rr.com 
Blue (Wieland) team manager

BLUE, GREY ROSTERS FINALIZED

Coaches Joe Wieland (Blue) and Jon Bassindale (Grey) have finalized the rosters for our two 7th grade teams.

BLUE
Head Coach: Joe Wieland
Coaches: Mark Kortebein, Kurt Alt, Joe Fisher, Dan Hess, Scott Siebert
Manager: John Brewster (coordinates volunteers and other duties)
Players: Will Alt, Jake Brewster, Charlie Cohen, Patrick Collins, Anthony Enea, Josiah Erving, Jake Fisher, Brandon Haughey, Danny Hess, Carter Heston, Andrew James, Cullen Kieper, Connor Kimple, Macklin Kortebein, Peter Kubly, Alec Lindfors, Evan Miller, Johnny Misey, Connor Nethen, Anthony Pogorelc, Paul Presberg, Chris Siebert, Bailey Wieland, Paul Wilson.

GREY
Head Coach: Jon Bassindale
Coaches: Steve Hummer, John Friesch, Matt Trussoni, Jeff Frank
Manager: Jim Higgins
Players: Van Bassindale, Matt Bernstein, Elie Ben Bordow, Brooks Burton, Zach Casey, Clay Daley, Jonathan Downs, Cooper Fergus, Justin Fisher, Seamus Floyd, Jack Friesch, Russell Grevious, Brijhan Hackney, John Heebink, Nick Higgins, Ryan Hummer, Scott Rojahn, Jesse Sanford, Tony Schultz, Dreyel Taylor, Mason Trussoni, Zachary Turner, Teddy Weber.