Chris Caporale, sports@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Chris Caporale Bonduel High School’s Trevor Pedersen forces a fumble from Amherst’s Amaziah McCall (23) in the red zone during the first quarter of Friday’s game. Bonduel went on to recover the fumble but lost the game, 49-8.
Leader Photo by Chris Caporale Bonduel High School senior running back Blake Stoss (12) runs over Amherst’s Dylan Heck during the first quarter of Friday’s game. Bonduel lost, 49-8.
Amherst High School’s no-huddle offense came out firing, striding 58 yards on its opening four plays, and continued the pressure en route to a 49-8 victory Friday over previously undefeated Bonduel in Ashwaubenon.
After intercepting Trevor Pedersen on the first play of the game and forcing a fumble on the Bears’ second drive, the Falcons (4-0, 2-0 Central Wisconsin Conference-8) seemed poised to run up the score.
“It’s nice to have that confidence boost that we can put points on the board,” Amherst head coach Mark Lusic said. “You’re hoping we can put the other team on its heels and try to make them play a perfect game.”
Amherst drove into the red zone before Pedersen forced a fumble and junior Brandon Olsen recovered the ball along the sideline.
Bonduel (3-1, 1-1 CWC-8) continued trying to get the running game going but could not find any success until its final drive of the game, where the Bears scored their lone touchdown.
“Our kids came out a little flat,” Bonduel head coach James Westrich said. “I don’t know if they were intimidated. We knew Amherst is a good team, well-coached, and we’ve got a young team, a lot of young players, and maybe that just got to them a little bit early.”
The Falcons were relentless in their pass rush as well, forcing Pedersen to scramble to find time to throw to his receivers.
Bonduel was able to sustain a drive in the first quarter when Wyatt Erb caught a 23-yard pass on third and 13. A pass interference call on the Falcons brought the Bears close to the goal line.
The Falcons came up with a big stop, though, tackling Blake Stoss at the 1-yard line for the turnover on downs.
“We were in position defensively, but they made some plays,” Lusic said. “Our goal is to always make them run another snap. Don’t give up the big play, and you can survive. Make the team go 15 plays down the field. Tonight, we were able to do that.”
On the other side of the ball, running back Brandon Piotrowski, who racked up 134 yards and two touchdowns, seemed to have his way with the Bears’ defense. Quarterback Garrett Groshek balanced his rushes with throws to a variety of receivers for 125 passing yards and 104 yards on the ground.
The Falcons opened up the second half with a kick return for a touchdown to extend the lead to 35 and start the running clock for the remainder of the game.
Throughout the second half, reserve players were key in moving the ball, including Bonduel’s leading rusher, Elijah Mastey, who ran for 37 yards. Starting running back Blake Stoss carried the ball 13 times for 23 yards.
Jordan Boldt ran in the 10-yard score with just over three minutes remaining in the game.
“We’ve got little things to iron out, but we’re OK,” Westrich said. “We’re going to get better.”
Scoring Summary
Amherst 14 14 14 7 — 49
Bonduel 0 0 0 8 — 8
First quarter
A: Piotrowski 2-yard run (PAT good) 7-0 (10:34).
A: McCall 9-yard reception from Piotrowski (PAT good) 14-0 (5:27).
Second quarter
A: Piotrowski 53-yard run (PAT good) 21-0 (9:50).
A: Cisewski 22-yard reception from Piotrowski (PAT good) 28-0 (4:21).
Third quarter
A: Cisewski 78-yard kickoff return (PAT good) 35-0 (11:47).
A: Garrett Groshek 10-yard run (PAT good) 42-0 (5:59).
Fourth quarter
A: Dalton Nemzoff 14-yard run (PAT good) 49-0 (11:53).
B: Boldt 10-yard run (conversion good) 49-8 (3:09).