On a 29-degree evening that looked and felt every bit like November, the Friday Night Lights show made its long awaited return to the New Glarus gridiron. It has been a long and painful hiatus. And what a show it was! Weather and date notwithstanding, this game would not be subject to any April Fool's chicanery. Rather, what the precious few in attendance would witness could be described as the perfect symbiosis of the Air Raid offensive system and this NGM team. This type of offense has been sweeping the country (think Patrick Mahomes for one) and was first installed at NGM by Coach Eichelkraut in 2018. It requires a mobile quarterback with a quick and accurate release, multiple and athletic wide receivers to include the running back, and a strong yet mobile offensive line. NGM checks all these boxes in spades, or should I say "blades" as sophomore Zuteus Blades got his first varsity start at left guard.

The visiting Pumas of Poynette, who share membership with NGM in the COVID Large Spring "conference", were on the receiving end. Do not be misled, the NGM defense was stellar holding the Pumas to six three-and-outs in the first half, not allowing a single first down. The Walter Brothers, Cole and Dain, accounted for 13 tackles between them, with Cole having four solo tackles himself. NGM dominated this game both offensively and defensively the entire evening, but it was the Air Raid offense which stole the show.

The game started with senior Rudy Wicker taking the kickoff 27 yards, zigging and zagging his way to the NGM 37. Before the fans were settled in their seats with an open thermos, senior Nathan Streiff split two defenders making an acrobatic catch and raced to the end zone. On just the second offensive series, junior Jackson Parman made what appeared to be a "wrestling" reception at the Poynette 7-yard line, but the official, not to be dissuaded, awarded the ball to the player from Poynette. This would be the only "blemish" on senior quarterback Darris Schuett's performance as he would throw 44 times and complete 25 for 407 yards...all three numbers are new school records! On the third drive, Schuett would hit senior Peter Gustafson in stride for a 36-yard score. Senior kicker Jaylynn Benson would cap the scoring for the quarter with her first successful extra point. Perhaps I failed to mention that the Air Raid offensive system is a strike-fast-strike-often type of offense. All together now, say it with me - "Air Raid, Air Raid". Can somebody please get a siren to warn the citizens of New Glarus?

The second quarter was more of the same. Nathan Streiff, entering the game as NG/NGM's all-time leader in receiving yards, took a 10-yard bullet from Schuett for another touchdown. The second quarter may go down in the history books as "Nathan Streiff Night". With 47 seconds left in the half, he collected his eighth reception of the game, giving him 100 for his career and another school all-time record! (Before the night was over, he would add four more receptions, total three touchdowns, and add 183 yards to his impressive resume). Staying in the second quarter, Streiff would next recover Benson's very cleverly designed "pooch" kickoff at Poynette's 39-yard line. As the offense raced to get set, and with 5 seconds remaining to play, Schuett fired a pass to Streiff in the end zone, only to be finger-tipped away by his defender. And so the half ended with NGM up, 28-0.

(Allow me, if you will, to take a writer's license and expand upon Nathan Streiff's accomplishments. I believe the gold standard for wide receivers was probably set by Royal Alderman, a star on the famous 1969 NG team. Perhaps we can say that bookending Alderman was Trevor Gassman in 2019. In those 50 seasons, many, many talented and athletic receivers have worn the NG/NGM jersey, yet Nathan Streiff, with that rare and elusive combination of soft hands and brutal athleticism, stands alone as the "best of the best", or G.O.A.T. if you prefer. And this game, fans, is only the second game of this his senior season.)

All good teams make adjustments in their locker rooms at halftime, and the Pumas would show pluck and courage to start the third quarter. Twice they went for it on fourth and long with dangerous field position and twice they were successful. A third fourth and long presented, but this time the NGM defense stiffened, giving their offense the ball. Another strike to Streiff from Schuett for a 32-yard touchdown, followed by an extra point kick that came up short would conclude the scoring for the evening for NGM.

The fourth quarter was largely played by the reserves, as junior quarterback Cale Weeden took over the offensive reigns. Junior Tyler Durst recovered a fumble near midfield. Sophomore Emery Johnson made a textbook-perfect tackle on a Poynette ball carrier in the open field, bringing the NGM sidelines to an excited and enthusiastic state of approbation. Jaylynn Benson's field goal try from 29 yards came up short.

It was the Poynette Puma offense that would show some spark as the final minutes ticked away. An 80-yard pass and run play put the ball on the NGM 12-yard line. Four plays later, the NGM defense would deny any further advancement as determined by a measurement. Finally, with 1:21 left in the game, Puma quarterback Hayden Taylor found Hans Mueller in the end zone for a 22-yard score. The extra point kick was good. Final score, NGM 34, Poynette 7.

In the end it was the strong NGM offense with its Air Raid system, which produced 478 yards of total offense, and the savvy play of quarterback Darris Schuett that won the day. The mix of short and long passes, the judicious mix of strong runs by senior Cade Femrite and a smothering defense across the board was just too much for a good Poynette team that never once showed even a hint of quit.

Sue Moen

Senior quarterback Darris Schuett completed 25 of 44 passes for 407 yards and four touchdowns. According the Wissports.net, after two weeks, Schuett leads the state in passing touchdowns and passing yards.

For all the obvious reasons, I hesitate to put the following in print. But after two games in the books, Darris Schuett leads all WIAA quarterbacks with 608 passing yards. Nathan Streiff leads all WIAA receivers with 232 yards. Peter Gustafson is #3 at 173 yards and Jackson Parman #8 at 137 yards. Folks, "The proof is in the puddin" - the Air Raid system works.

The only question now is when will an audience beyond mere kith and kin be allowed to watch this exciting brand of football? If not allowed in soon, I fear the perimeter fencing may prove inadequate to restrain the eager, riotous crowd that is certain to assemble.

The next game is this coming Friday, April 9. NGM takes its 2-0 record on the road to play Orfordville Parkview-Albany at Orfordville. Game time is 7:00 p.m.