The final game for Portage's seniors on Bob Mael Field didn't go as hoped, as the defending WIAA state runner-up DeForest Norskies had their way with the host Warriors to the tune of a 49-0 victory.
Portage had a tough time finding an answer for the DeForest offensive machine, which totaled 278 rushing yards on 48 carries and compiled 21 first downs in the win. The Norskies also excelled on special teams, getting a 52-yard punt return for a touchdown from Eric Stewart early in the first quarter and then a 50-yard punt return for another score at the end of the first half from Adam Kaalberg to give the Norskies a 49-0 lead heading into the half.
"They're the state runner-up from a year ago and you can tell. They just play with so much confidence and belief," said Portage head coach Dave Schmitz of DeForest. "They're just bigger, faster and stronger than us. No matter how hard our kids fought, and they did, it just wasn't enough against this great team."
DeForest struck quick against Portage, getting a 50-yard run from Cory Wipperfurth on its first play from scrimmage, Two plays later Wipperfurth punched it in from six yards out and the Norskies were up 7-0.
After Stewart returned a Lee Swan punt for a score, Portage put together it's best scoring threat of the night. The big play of the drive was a 26-yard screen pass to Jonathan Robinson, that had 15 more yards added on when the Norskies were called for a late hit at the end of the play. Portage had a first-and-goal from the 9 yard line, but had the drive come to an end when it lost 21 yards on an intentional grounding penalty.
From there, DeForest continued to roll, getting a pair of running touchdowns from Tylur Lengfeld and another TD run from Cory Wipperfurth on the way to a big victory.
The loss was the final game for a large number of seniors at Bob Mael Field, as the Warriors will finish the season with games at Milton and Mount Horeb. Schmitz said it was an emotional time for the kids that have been playing football in Portage for the last four seasons.
"It's pretty emotional being 0-6 playing your last game on this field. It has not been the season any of them wanted," Schmitz said. "It was pretty emotional in the locker room before the game. It goes fast. These kids that have been here four years and have gone through the program for four years, it's pretty special, because they go through a lot. The time and effort and coaches yelling at them. It's quite the commitment they make and its an experience that those few have."
DEFOREST 49, PORTAGE 0
DeForest 21 28 0 0 - 49
Portage 0 0 0 0 - 0
DeForest - Wipperfurth 6 run (Horton kick)
DeForest - Stewart 52 punt return (Horton kick)
DeForest - Lengfeld 1 run (Horton kick)
DeForest - Eith 1 run (Horton kick)
DeForest - Wipperfurth 5 run (Horton kick)
DeForest - Lengfeld 3 run (Horton kick)
DeForest - Haalberg 50 punt return (Horton kick)
TEAM STATISTICS
First downs - D 21, P 7. Rushes-yards - D 48-278, P 25-62. Passing yards - D 49, P 82. Comp-Att-Int - D 3-5-0, P 7-19-0. Penalties-Yards - D 7-80, P 4-50. Fumbles-Lost - D 1-1, P 2-2.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: D - Wipperfurth 10-120. P - Biba 5-25. PASSING: D - Benzine 3-4-0, 49. P - Koch 7-18-0, 82. RECEIVING: D - Eith 1-23. P - Hurd 3-35, Robinson 1-26.
thouslet@capitalnewspapers.com
745-3518
Travis Houslet / Daily Register
Jake Hohlstein (54) will play college football at UW-Whitewater next season.