Post Messenger Recorder -

In more ways than one, it was an evening made for football as two undefeated heavyweights squared off for bragging rights. The Madison TV stations knew it too, as Channels 15 and 27 each sent camera crews to cover the game; Channel 15 calling it their "Game of the Week". The game lived up to its billing and was played in front of a now COVID-expanded crowd.

It felt a little bit like "Old Home Week" as Brodhead-Juda, formerly and individually each members of that venerable State Line League, made their return visit to the gridiron in New Glarus after an absence of many years. (Not to worry as both teams will be play- ing each other again soon, very soon, as both will be new members of the Southwest Conference this fall).

The Cardinals drew first blood at the 4:55 mark on a Connor Green touchdown run. The NGM Air Raid offense struggled in the first and most of the second quarter with some heretofore un- seen self-inflicted hiccups, including giving up a safety. With 2:22 left in the first half the Cards would score again behind the strong running of junior Gage Boegli. (Boegli would tally 148 yards rushing on 24 carries this evening).

Down 16-0, NGM found itself in very unfamiliar territory. Nathan Streiff would provide a spirited return of the kickoff and then take a strike from quarterback Darris Schuett to put the ball on the Cards 35-yard line. Now, with their candle lit, that Air Raid offense came alive as Schuett hit Peter Gustafson on the 26. Schuett took the next play himself and, with some crafty running, scored with 1:07 left in the half. A clever and unique two-point conversion pass play to Rudy Wicker was "good", until the referee flagged NGM for an illegal formation. Not to be denied, the second attempt was good as Schuett found Cade Femrite in the right flat with success. Score 16-8. GAME ON!

Brodhead-Juda took the kickoff to start the second half. With their ground game now hitting on all 8 cylinders (they would run the ball 47 times for 228 yards this night), it was again Boegli who got the call and made a 48-yard run down to the NGM 9-yard line. Two plays later, senior fullback Braden Cook, running out of the Winged-T, powered home for a score. Cole Hoesly's third extra point kick of the game was good, putting NGM down 23-8 at the 10:04 mark early in the third.

With the NGM offense again stifled, it was the NGM defense that would now pro- vide a much needed spark. A Peter Gustafson interception off of a ball tipped by Darris Schuett gave the ball back to NGM on the Cardinals 47-yard line to start the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter was all NGM, both offensively and defensively. The Air Raid offense moved the ball well, with a mix of runs and passes. When facing a 4th down and 7, Schuett connected with Gustafson to put the ball on the 5. Schuett found Streiff on the next play with a strike and a score, this as Streiff was blanketed by three defenders. (Nathan Streiff must have dominated most of last week's film study by the Cards as he faced smothering double and triple press coverage the entire game). Darris Schuett would keep on the next play for a two- point conversion. Score 23-16 with 10:18 to play.

Now emboldened, the NGM defense shut down the run game completely and with the aid of penalty would force 14 yards of loss and a 3-and-out. NGM in turn would also go 3-and-out, but again, the defense would apply the heat, force a punt, and give the NGM offense the ball on their own 47 with 3:10 left in the game. In short order, quarterback Darris Schuett made three spectacular runs, scoring on a 22-yard scamper with 1:53 to play. Score: Brodhead-Juda 23-NGM 22.

DECISION TIME! Riding the momentum and seeking victory, Coach Eichelkraut boldly elected to go for two and the win, only to have a Schuett pass come up just short in the southeast corner of the end zone. Heartbreak!!!

At 1:53 there was still time. Eli Zimmerman's onside kick just escaped the outstretched hands of a diving Nathan Streiff and skirted out of bounds at the Cardinal 41. The Cards running offense milked the clock and when faced with a 4th and 1 and 19 seconds to play would, once again, call on their power back Braden Cook to get the first down. He did, and Brodhead-Juda escaped with a 23-22 victory.

I find it necessary and noteworthy to comment on the level of sportsmanship (by both teams) on display this entire evening. Routinely, opponents would be seen helping each other to their feet. And get this - one time an NGM player was seen helping a downed Cardinal player stretch out an apparent cramp....that is until a very surprised trainer appeared on the scene, thus relieving the NGM player of any further duties. Perhaps I can conclude by saying this was a very "principled" game, each head coach being the active Principal of their respective school.

We are wont to say that sports mimic life with all the valuable life lessons of winning and losing; elation and frustration; individual effort and teamwork; respect for authority and competitors alike, etc. - all fully attendant. Indeed, this game on this night was representative of the values sports can play in a young person's educational experience. And sometimes, losing is actually winning in disguise.

Next game is this coming Friday at Cuba City. Game time is 7:00 p.m.