Game 8: Junior Blue Dukes GREY 47, Milwaukee Hamilton 24

In a game that was not even as close as the lopsided score would have you believe, the JBD7 Grey dominated the first-year Hamilton Junior Wildcats 47-24 at Hamilton High School field.
Bay received the opening kickoff. After a pass completion from QB Ryan Hummer to WR Matt Bernstein to get the offense started, RB Van Bassindale took a handoff and ran around right end for a 50-plus yard TD. Nick Higgins kicked the two-point conversion. 8-0, Bay.
After Bay held Hamilton and blocked its punt, Hummer rolled right and threw to Higgins, who scampered unscathed into the end zone. Higgins kicked the two-point conversion. 16-0, Bay.
When Bay got the ball back, Hummer dropped back and fired a bomb to open WR Zach Casey, who zoomed to the end zone. This was probably the best pass Ryan has thrown this year. Higgins kicked the conversion. 24-0.
 In it a bit of deja vu all over again, as Yogi Berra is alleged to have said, Bassindale ran for another long TD around the right. Higgins kicked another conversion. Hamilton managed on a TD on a nifty, twisting run to make the score 32-6 at halftime. As QB Hummer pointed out, Bay ran 7 offensive plays from scrimmage in the first half, and scored TDs on 4 of them.
Coach Jon Bassindale substituted freely in the second half.
Hamilton went to the air to try to get back into the game. With an effective QB and some tall targets, the Wildcats managed some garbage-time scores against a shifting cast of JBD defenders. However, Bay was not done scoring either.
On defense, Hummer read a Hamilton pass play in the works, jumped up to intercept it and scampered down the left sideline for a defensive TD. Higgins kicked the conversion, his fifth of the game and a personal best for Nick.
Bay closed out its scoring in the fourth quarter when QB Jack Friesch threw a swing pass to Higgins on the right side. This time Nick had to work for the score, breaking a couple of tackles before crossing the goal line and raising the ball high in the air. Nick's grandfather (Karen's dad) died this week in Indiana, and Nick taped his Grandpa's name on his helmet as a tribute before the game.
For the conversion, Friesch threw to WR Jesse Sanford for the point. Final score 47, Hamilton 24.
Our games are finished for the season, but the fun isn't. Several smart and beautiful Moms are working on plans for our post-season players and family party. Stay tuned for more information.

Game 7: Junior Blue Dukes GREY 14, Slinger 6

In a game that easily could have been played back in the '50s or early '60s, two teams slugged it out Saturday in a mudbowl at Slinger. Thanks to strong defense and special teams play, the Junior Blue Dukes Grey team prevailed over the host Slinger Owls, 14-6.
The only things this game lacked in the throwback department were the voice of John Facenda in the background and a few knocked-out teeth on the field.
Whitefish Bay received the opening kickoff but were forced to punt, derailed in part by a costly blocking penalty. On Slinger's first play from scrimmage, an Owls receiver got behind the Bay secondary, caught a perfectly thrown pass in stride and ran down the field for a score. 6-0, Slinger.
But Bay put itself right back in the game on the ensuing kickoff. Nick Higgins grabbed the ball about the 30-yard line, slipped briefly on the slick, muddy field, then charged up the middle, eluding all pursuit on his way to a 70-yard return for a TD. On the conversion attempt, holder Ryan Hummer put the ball down cleanly and Higgins kicked it through the uprights for 2 points. 8-6, Bay.
Bay stopped Slinger on their next possession, and went to work on offense. Fullback Teddy Weber gained a key first down up the middle. The Bay gained 15 yards and another first down on a pass interference penalty: a Slinger defender did everything short of putting a saddle on receiver Zach Casey as he rode Zach's back down the field. Van Bassindale ran left and then up the middle to bring Bay close, then Weber plunged through the middle for the TD. Bay 14, Slinger 6.
The sodden condition of the field asserted itself in quarterbacks falling down, ball handlers fumbling, and a variety of slip-sliding activities.
Near the end of the first half, Slinger reached the Bay 40, but the JBD defense turned the ball over on downs.
After Weber's touchdown, the game came down to a field position battle. Higgins' strong punts forced Slinger to start deep in its end. Brijhan Hackney, Mason Trussoni, Scott Rojahn, Bassindale, Weber and Higgins all made tackles for loss or stopped ball carriers after minimal gains.
In the 4th quarter, Slinger tried to drive for a possible tying score running up the middle behind the strength of its offensive line, but Bay contested every yard. The Slinger QB dropped back to pass and fired one down the middle, which defensive back Matt Bernstein picked off and returned more than 20 yards. Bassindale plowed up the middle for a first down that iced the game for Whitefish Bay.

Game 5: Junior Blue Dukes GREY 44, Nicolet 12

Junior Blue Dukes Grey players caught a lot of footballs Saturday: some thrown by our quarterbacks, and some thrown by the Nicolet QBs. The Grey team dominated play in a 44-12 victory at Good Hope School field.
WFB received the opening kickoff. On a third-down play from around the Bay 40, QB Ryan Hummer ran around right end for a long gain. Then Hummer passed to slot receiver Nick Higgins on the left, who sped down the field for another substantial gain. Van Bassindale ran right for the TD, and Higgins kicked the two-point conversion. 8-0, Bay.
On fourth-down deep in its own territory, Nicolet ran from punt formation, but Bassindale and Higgins stuffed the ball carrier. Then Hummer threw a beautiful fade pass to Zach Casey in the right corner of the end zone for a TD. 14-0, Bay.
Near the end of the first quarter, Matt Bernstein returned a Nicolet punt for an apparent TD, but the score was nullified by a penalty. Still, Bay scored again in the first half. On fourth down and goal, Hummer threw a short pass to Higgins on the right. Nick ran untouched into the end zone, and kicked his second two-point conversion of the day. 22-0, Bay.
For the second consecutive game, an opponent has tried to beat Bay by throwing the ball, but Bay defenders have been paying attention. Jesse Sanford started the thievery by picking off a long Nicolet pass. Then, on offense, Coach Jon Bassindale rolled out a sweet gadget play. QB Jack Friesch threw backward to running back Bassindale, who pulled up and fired a long pass down the middle to the wide open Casey. Only an inadvertent stumble prevented Zach from scoring a TD.
Later in the quarter, Nicolet's QB threw to the right side. But cornerback Scott Rojahn was blanketing the receiver, went up in the air with him, and wrestled the ball away for an interception.
On Nicolet's last desperate throw of the half, defensive end Tony Schulz pressured the scrambling Nicolet QB, who heaved the ball over Tony's long arms, and into the grasp of the alert Casey. The half ended with Bay up 22-0.
Bay opened the second-half scoring with Van Bassindale, in wildcat formation, passing to Casey in the right corner of the endzone for a touchdown. Higgins kicked the two-point converstion. 30-0, Bay.
But Nicolet mounted a small rally, scoring a TD after getting outside Bay containment, and then breaking off a kickoff return for a score. (Under the rules of this league, teams trailing by more than 17 points can receive a kickoff after they score.)
Bay asserted itself with a strong defensive play. Nicolet passed short deep in its own end, but Rojahn read the play, interecepted the ball and dragged a Nicolet player on his back to about the 5-yard line. Teddy Weber ran up the middle untouched for a touchdown.
Van Bassindale then finished up the scoring with a long run, knocking the final Nicolet defender onto the ground as he ran into the end zone. Higgins kicked his fourth two-point conversion of the game to make the score 44-12.

Game 4: Junior Blue Dukes GREY 21, Germantown Blue 0

The Junior Blue Dukes controlled all phases of the contest in a 21-0 victory Saturday at Germantown.

Bay received the opening kickoff and consumed most of the first quarter on a steady march downfield, mixing runs by Teddy Weber and Van Bassindale, including a 4th down conversion by Bassindale, who went on to score the game's first TD on a run to the right. WFB 6-0.

After the kickoff, Bay stuffed Germantown deep in their own end, with linebacker Nick Higgins tossing a block aside before dropping a Germantown running back for a big loss on third down. On 4th down, the Germantown punter mishandled a high snap. When he picked it up and tried to kick, Higgins blocked the punt, and Bay took over on downs inside the Germantown 15. Unfortunately, Bay's drive stalled after an incomplete pass, and Germantown resumed possession deep in their own end. 

Realizing they could not run wide on the speedy Bay defense, Germantown began to throw more. On one dropback, defensive end Mason Trussoni knocked the ball out of the QB's hands, and defensive end Jonathan Downs recovered the fumble for the Junior Blue Dukes. On 4th down, Bassindale plowed up the middle for the touchdown. Teddy Weber ran for the extra point. WFB 13-0.

After the kickoff, Germantown gained some yardage on a run left, a few passes and an offside penalty against Bay. But safety Matt Bernstein leaped high in the air to intercept a pass and end the potential threat. The half ended with Whitefish Bay leading 13-0.

Germantown received the second-half kickoff. The Hawks completed a longish pass to cross into Bay territory. But Bay turned up its defensive pressure. Cornerback Scott Rojahn nearly intercepted the Germantown quarterback's pitch to a running back, and Bassindale nearly made a leaping one-handed interception in the middle of the field. Bay took over on downs.

From the wildcat formation, Bassindale threw a long pass to wide receiver Zach Casey, which he was not able to reel in. The Bay coaches, showing faith in both their players and their play call, went right back to the same play, with Casey making the catch for a long gain. Still in the wild cat, Bassindale ran a QB draw up in the middle for first-down yardage. On 2nd and goal, Bassindale ran through a would-be tackler into the end zone for a TD. Higgins kicked the 2-point conversion to make the score WFB 21, Germantown 0.

Neither side would taste the sweetness of the end zone after that, but the fourth quarter nonetheless had its charms. Jesse Sanford made a crisp tackle to stop a short reception right where it was caught. On 4th down in alleged punt formation, the Germantown protector (or up back) threw a pass, but cornerback Ryan Hummer read the play from the beginning and intercepted the ball. With determined effort Friesch eluded a tackler to gain a first down on a QB sneak. 

On Germantown's final possession, Casey intercepted a pass and took it down the right sideline to the end zone, but a holding penalty on the run back pulled the ball back. Still, it was a satisfying ending to game that Whitefish Bay dominated completely.

Game 3: JBD7 GREY 39, Germantown Gold 0

 The Grey team rebounded from last week's difficulties with a 39-0 thrashing of Germantown Gold in Germantown. All facets of the Whitefish Bay team -- offense, defense and special teams -- were shiny in this victory.
 Nick Higgins started the game by booming the opening kickoff over the head of the Germantown returner, and the Bay coverage team pinned the home team deep. Seamus Floyd brought down the Germantown QB for a big third-down sack. A short, possibly tipped punt gave WFB the ball first and goal at the Germantown 9. Unfortunately, a Bay ball carrier was stripped of the ball on third down, and Germantown recovered the fumble (the first of many fumbles in this game, which ironically was our first dry-weather game of the season). However, the beastly Bay defense forced a fumble, recovered (I think) by Justin Fisher, and Bay took over in Germantown territory. On third and long, QB Ryan Hummer tossed a short pass to slot receiver Nick Higgins on the left. Receiver Matt Bernstein tied up the only potential tackler, and Higgins raced into the end zone for the game's first touchdown. He kicked the two-point conversion. WFB 8, Germantown 0.
 In the second quarter, the Junior Blue Dukes stopped a Germantown fake punt and took over on downs. Bay marched down the field on a series of runs by Van Bassindale and Teddy Weber, with Bassindale scoring from about 8 yards out. WFB 14, GG 0.
 Germantown got nowhere on the next possession. On the third-down play, Bassindale plowed through two blockers to tackle the runner for a loss. On the first play after the punt, Bassindale took a handoff and swept around right end, where Weber and Tony Schulz had pulverized would-be tacklers. Van raced more than 50 yards to the end zone. WFB 20, GG 0.
On its next possession, Germantown launched a pass down the left side, but ball-hawking cornerback Zach Casey was waiting for it. Casey intercepted and raced down the sideline for a TD. WFB 26, GG 0.
 The Bay defense held Germantown again, with Mason Trussoni tackling a GG receiver for a loss on a 4th down pass. From the wildcat formation, Bassindale tossed a bomb downfield to Casey, who made a surehanded grab for a gain of more than 30 yards. Bassindale handed off to Higgins for an end-around, but he was stopped at the 2-yard line as time expired in the half.
  Due to mercy rules that allows a team down by more than 17 points to receive extra kickoffs, Whitefish Bay kicked off to start the second half. Higgins pinned Germantown deep with another long kick, with Bassindale reacquainting the ball carrier forcefully with the turf. After Germantown punted, Bassindale took a handoff and rumbled some 40 yards into the end zone for his third touchdown of the day. WFB 32, GG 0.
 By this point, both teams were substituting players freely.
 On the ensuing kickoff, the Germantown returner found a seam and charged up the field, looking for the big one. But as he crossed midfield, a low-flying, white-jerseyed, long-haired blur cut him down at the legs the way a scythe cuts grain. Kicker Nick Higgins made the touchdown-saving tackle. (I'm not exaggerating, folks, because he's my kid. If you look at the highlights video, he is moving so fast you can barely see him.)
 Still, Germantown began a drive for the first time on Whitefish Bay's side of the 50. Germantown parlayed several nice runs and a Bay penalty into a first-and-goal situation at the 1-yard line. With the outcome of the game not in doubt, the next four plays were all about pride and the possibility of a clean sheet for the Bay defense. Led by Bassindale's saber-toothed savagery, the stout defense stuffed all four plays and took over on downs.
On third and long from inside the Bay 10, Bassindale ripped off a long run that would have gone for a touchdown, but the referee correctly flagged the Blue Dukes for a clipping penalty. Nonetheless, it was still a first down and Bay had dug itself out of the hole. Hummer then threw to Higgins on the left for a gain of more than 20 yards. Justin Fisher then took over as featured running back, charging for more than 10 yards on his first carry. Fisher and Weber interspersed carries as Bay marched down the field. Hummer passed to Matt Bernstein in the left flat for a gain that set up 1st and goal for Bay.
 Behind the crisp offensive line that made Coach Steve Hummer proud all game, Fisher stormed into the end zone for the game's final touchdown. QB Ryan Hummer passed to Zach Casey in the end zone for extra point. WFB 39, Germantown 0.
Elie Ben Bordow squibbed the ensuing kickoff down the middle; he and Russell Grevious tackled the ball carrier. Led by defensive end Tony Schulz, who stuffed a ball carrier for a huge loss, Bay held Germantown on downs and took over the ball for the final moments.
Whitefish Bay closed out the game with QB Jack Friesch handing off to Grevious for a positive run, making them the 8th and 9th Blue Dukes players to handle the ball on offense in this game.

Game 3: Junior Blue Dukes GREY 39, Germantown 0

Justin Fisher and Van Bassindale rushed for touchdowns, Nick Higgins caught a touchdown pass, Zach Casey returned an interception for a TD, and defensive end Tony Schulz led a swarming defense that shut out Germantown, 39-0. I'll post a more complete game story and video highlights later this weekend.

Game 2: Grafton 20, Junior Blue Dukes GREY 18

The Grafton Gladiators defeated the Junior Blue Dukes Grey team, 20-18, on a short touchdown run late in the 4th quarter Saturday at Lubar Stadium. Without diminishing in any way the execution and superior intensity of the Gladiators, I think the JBD players will look back on this game as one they lost through mistakes -- fumbles, bad snaps, interceptions, poor tackling -- and a failure to consistently match the intensity of Grafton's play. This game had good moments for Blue Dukes, but not enough of them to pull out a victory.
The game started in promising fashion. Grafton won the coin toss and received the opening kickoff, but the Blue Dukes defense held and forced a punt. Matt Bernstein made a nice punt return, but a penalty pulled the yardage back. Still, the Blue Dukes drove down the field into Grafton territory. Unfortunately, a fumbled exchange at the Grafton 34 turned the ball over to the Gladiators. On the next play, poor tackling by Whitefish Bay elevated a short jaunt through the middle to a long gain for Grafton. But Whitefish Bay forced a turnover at the 8-yard line, with Justin Fisher scooping up the ball. On the next play, Van Bassindale ran more than 90 yards for the TD. The extra point kick failed. 6-0, Whitefish Bay.
Nick Higgins'  kickoff bounced inside the 10, but Grafton managed a return to the 30. Several plays later, a Grafton receiver took a short pass over the middle and, thanks to poor tackling  attempts by several Blue Dukes players, turned it into a long touchdown. Grafton converted the XP kick. Grafton 8, WFB 6.
In the second quarter, after a Blue Dukes drive stalled, the Blue Dukes lined up in punt formation. The center bounced a poor snap back to Nick Higgins, who deftly fielded the ball and ran around the left side, presumably in a designed fake punt. Nick, who had absorbed a hard hit to his leg earlier in the game, took hard shots to the head and leg while being tackled, and got up dizzy and wobbly (the ref had to help him up). Our consultant medic took a look at him (thanks Chris) and we unanimously agreed he should sit the rest of the game out. (Nick appears to be doing fine today, beyond being very sore.)
A long pass completion put Grafton close to the goal line, where the Gladiators punched the ball in for a score. The XP kick failed. Grafton 14, WFB 6.
Grafton tried an onside kick, but for the second time this season, Elie Ben Bordow covered the ball snugly for the Junior Blue Dukes.
With scant time left in the first half, the Blue Dukes offense came to life, with hard-earned yards from Teddy Weber's inside runs, a couple of Van Bassindale scampers and a pass completion from Ryan Hummer to Matt Bernstein. A quarterback bootleg by Hummer took the ball close to the goal line. Bassindale plowed up the middle for the TD.  After an off-target snap to the holder, an XP running attempt failed. At halftime, the score was Grafton 14, Whitefish Bay 12.
In the third quarter, the Junior Blue Dukes stopped a Grafton drive deep into Bay territory. On Bay's first ensuing play Bassindale, lined up in wildcat formation, took the snap, picked his way through several would-be tacklers, and raced for the TD. On the extra point attempt, the ball was snapped over the head of the holder, so no points. Whitefish Bay 18, Grafton 14.
Grafton steadily drove down the field until it reached hailing distance of the goal line. The Bay defense stiffened, setting up a 4th and goal situation. Unfortunately, the Grafton QB took the shotgun snap, saw daylight on the left side, and ran into the end zone for the game-winning score. The XP failed. Grafton 20, Whitefish Bay 18.
The Grey team had enough ticks left for a shot at a comeback, but an interception at midfield sealed the game.
Grafton did nothing tricky with their offense, but executed what they did very well. They also played with enthusiasm and intensity. That is the lesson JBD boys can learn from them.
It's one thing for boys, or parents, to complain about playing time; it's another thing altogether to actually do something on the field. If we could roll back just half the missed tackles from this game, the outcome would have been different. In his post-game remarks to the boys, Coach Bassindale made the point that serious effort and intensity in the game itself begins with taking practice seriously. Expect to hear that theme reinforced in practice this week.

Game 1: Junior Blue Dukes GREY 14, Cedarburg 13

Overcoming penalties, mistakes and injuries, the Junior Blue Dukes 7th grade Grey team rode special teams play, clutch 4th quarter defense and power running to a 14-13 victory over the skilled, determined and large Cedarburg team.
Aided by a blocking scheme where every Blue Dukes player did his job, Nick Higgins took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown. Higgins kicked the two-point conversion to make the score WFB 8, Cedarburg 0.
But Cedarburg calmly went to work, running its double-wing offense, which tends to hide which back is carrying the ball. Its big linemen and crafty running backs ground the ball down the field until they scored a late first-quarter TD. A pass attempt for the point-after conversion failed. WFB 8, Cedarburg 6.
On the ensuing kickoff, Cedarburg squibbed a kick, possibly intended as an onside kick, but player Elie Ben Bordow covered up the ball for the Junior Blue Dukes.
After the Junior Blue Dukes failed to convert a 4th down play, Cedarburg again drove down the field and scored on a run. This time Cedarburg ran successfully for the point after. Cedarburg 13, WFB 8.
Cedarburg tried an onside kick, but Zach Casey covered it for the Blue Dukes.
At halftime the Whitefish Bay coaches made some adjustments to their defense that slowed down the Cedarburg juggernaut. But a score was still required for the Junior Blue Dukes to regain the lead.
A promising 4th quarter drive ended with an interception by Cedarburg at their own 6-yard line. The Blue Dukes defense held and forced a punt. Matt Bernstein ran the punt back nearly to the goal line, but a penalty on Whitefish Bay placed the ball back around its 45.
A series of power runs by Teddy Weber (mostly inside) and Van Bassindale (often to the right) put the Junior Blue Dukes within striking distance. Then the determined Bassindale rumbled into the end zone to make the score 14-13.
With less than a minute left, Cedarburg tried several runs and then a pass, but Bernstein intercepted the ball, and quarterback Ryan Hummer executed the sweetest play in football, the victory formation kneel down.
Final score: Grey team 14, Cedarburg 13.
Here's hoping to see many of you at the Blue team this afternoon, scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.
I'll post video highlights after I finish processing.