Jacy Zollar, sports@wolfrivermedia.com
Shawano celebrated its homecoming with a 42-7 blowout against Green Bay West on Saturday.
The Hawks (4-4, 3-4 Bay Conference) started quickly with a 54-second touchdown drive capped by Jacob Dickmann’s 6-yard run and then held West scoreless until the closing minutes.
“Scoring on our first possession was big for us,” Shawano head coach Alan Tomow said. “One of our goals for the week was scoring right away.”
After the opening burst, however, long drives ate up much of the clock.
“The final score doesn’t reflect the slow game,” Tomow said. “The field positions and weather may have been a part of that, but also the style. Both teams wanted to run the ball, and when you’re not moving it as far, it takes up the clock. Even though we were up 28-0 at half, it didn’t really feel like we really exerted ourselves.”
Roman Purull tallied 148 of Shawano’s 213 rushing yards, including 60- and 6-yard touchdown runs in the second half.
“It always feels good to help get the ball down the field, and that big run was fun,” Purull said. “I’m just glad to contribute to the team win.”
Quarterback Jarrett Laatsch’s passing also played a key role in the win. Laatsch was 4 for 11 for 134 yards and three touchdowns.
Laatsch connected with Brayden Dickelman on TDs of 70 and 55 yards in the second quarter.
“All year we felt that something that was missing on our offense was the ability to convert big plays, especially through the air,” Tomow said. “We’ve been having to drive around 15 plays to score, which means that at times we’re efficient, but we want to get better at those big plays. To find Brayden twice was huge for our momentum and shows the improvements we’ve made in passing.”
Tomow was also impressed by his defense’s ability to get off the field without allowing the Wildcats (0-8, 0-8 Bay) to score. The Hawks made key red zone stops, including holding West on four downs from the 1-yard line.
“They played with more discipline today and they were able to stay on the field for a 16-play drive and hold them for another four on that play near the goal line.” Tomow said. “That was big for our confidence. For our defense to hold them after long drives, it feeds our offense to go out and get the ball down the field.”
Shawano held the Wildcats to 162 rushing yards and none passing. West’s Brandon Dudley rushed for 113 yards and the team’s only score, a 2-yard run with 1:53 remaining.
Shawano will try to secure a spot in the WIAA playoffs in its final conference matchup at New London (5-3, 4-3 Bay) Friday.
“It’s potentially our last game of the year, and New London is a very good team,” Tomow said. “So we have our hands full, but being able to come away with a big win like this gives our kids confidence and gets us started on the right foot to prepare for the game.”
Shawano 42, Green Bay West 7
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Shawano 7 21 7 7 42
Green Bay West 0 0 0 7 7
First quarter
S: Jacob Dickmann 6-yard run (PAT good) 7-0 (11:06).
Second quarter
S: Brayden Dickelman 70-yard reception from Jarrett Laatsch (PAT good) 14-0 (10:14).
S: Dickelman 55-yard reception from Laatsch (PAT good) 21-0 (2:39).
S: Dickmann 5-yard reception from Laatsch (PAT good) 28-0 (0:39).
Third quarter
S: Roman Purull 60-yard run (PAT good) 35-0 (9:27).
Fourth quarter
S: Purull 6-yard run (PAT good) 42-0 (5:55).
GBW: Brandon Dudley 2-yard run (PAT good) 42-7 (1:53).