The game of football often comes down to inches. Friday's game at Bob Mael Field came down to execution. Despite outgaining (255-233) the visiting Baraboo Thunderbirds in the game, the Portage Warriors football team didn't execute near as well, en route to a 27-18 homecoming loss.

BHS improves to 1-5 on the year, while the Warriors fall to 0-6.

"They controlled the line of scrimmage, especially in the second half," said PHS coach Dave Schmitz. "They pretty much dominated."

Portage carried a 12-7 lead into the break, but BHS came out and took its first possession of the second half 65 yards on nine plays, capped by a 20-yard Jordan Leonhardt touchdown run for a 13-12 lead. From there, the Warriors defense softened, as Baraboo finished with 160 yards on the ground.

"That was a big touchdown after halftime," said Schmitz. "They took the lead and that was the big blow, it took the wind out of our sails."

Though trailing in the first half, 7-0, following a Baraboo touchdown with one minute left in the first quarter, Portage's offense found a bit a of rhythm. The offense drove 71 yards on eight plays before Kevin Hurd found paydirt on a 16-yard pass from quarterback Greg Koch at the 9:17 mark of the second.

The squad wasn't finished though, as six minutes later it reached the endzone again, this time on eight plays - keyed by Joe Mueller's 28-yard reception - and capped by Koch's bootleg left from the two. Though Portage staked a 12-7 lead, it was more the fault of BHS' defense than great offensive play.

"Offensively, we had a play here and a play there but couldn't put it all together in either half," said Schmitz. "Give Baraboo credit they just out-executed us. I don't question our effort or intensity or effort, they just out-executed us."

The lack of consistency would come back to haunt the Warriors, as they had a few chances in the second half to get back into the game in the third quarter and early in the fourth. However, an interception and fumble on Baraboo's 33 stalled promising drives. The squad did record one final score in the waning minutes, as Shawn Maldonado caught a tipped pass in the endzone on a drive that spanned 28 yards following a 35 yard punt return from Jonathon Robinson. Portage's PAT was blocked and the ensuing onside kick failed.

"That was the frustrating part, we could have had a bigger lead early on and threatened more if we had executed better," said Schmitz. "We fought back, that second half, but we just didn't execute well enough."

Portage welcomes DeForest next week.

BARABOO 27, PORTAGE 18

Baraboo.......................... 7 0 14 6 - 27

Portage.......................... 0 12 0 6 - 18

B - Banks 5 run (Kuchta kick)

P-Hurd 16 pass from Koch (kick failed)

P - Koch 2 run (pass failed)

B - J. Leonhardt 20 run (pass failed)

B - Kuchta 37 pass from Banks (Schneider pass from Banks)

B - Schneider 13 pass from Banks (kick failed)

P - Maldonado 4 pass from Koch (kick failed)

TEAM STATISTICS

First downs - B 14, P 16. Rushes-yards - B 43-160, P 35-121. Passing - B 73, P 134. Comp-Att-Int - B 4-6-1, P13-25-2. Penalties-Yards - B 3-20, P 5-35. Fumbles-Lost - B 0-0, P 1-1.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: B - Leonhardt 24-111. P - Nolan 5-47. PASSING: B - Banks 4-6-1, 73. P - Koch 13-25-2, 134. RECEIVING: B - Kuchta 2-46. P - Hurd 5-64.