Post Messenger Recorder -

Lodi, WI. To the outside world this hamlet appears as a quaint, sleepy little village. So much so that the Chamber of Commerce still puts out the venerable "Susie the Duck" as its ambassador, and has done so since 1948. (Google it). But to the inside world of high school football, its gridiron can be one unfriendly place to visit on a Friday night. Such was the reception NGM received, and hardly a surprise as the Blue Devils are ranked #8 in Wisconsin and pushing hard for a playoff spot.

With the Devils coming off of a recent loss to #2 Columbus, and further heightened by a standing-room-only Homecoming crowd, NGM found themselves on the receiving end of some very spirited football. Sporting a Pro-set style of offense supported by a phalanx of large and physical front line players, Lodi ran the ball with "devilish" ease. The run set up the pass and NGM walked into a perfect storm.

The tone was set early when NGM mishandled the opening kickoff, gifting the ball to the Devils on the NGM 22-yard line. 75 seconds and three plays later the Blue Devils were up 7-0. The first quarter was an NGM nightmare as they managed two 3-and-outs and one fumble on three possessions - Lodi scoring on each opportunity. The score after 12 minutes of play was Lodi 28 - NGM 0. Ouch!

The second quarter showed some promise when QB Max Marty, on a fourth and four play, kept it himself for a first down. But four plays later Lawrence Vasquez's punt was blocked and recovered by the same Blue Devil player on the 18-yard line of NGM. Lodi's talented QB, Mason Lane (who went 9 of 12 passing, rushed for one TD and passed for two others...all in the first half), wasted no time as he hit his wide receiver Brian Meitzner for a quick score. Meitzner added the PAT kick and at the 7:54 mark it was all Lodi, 35-0. Another stalled drive by NGM led to a punt, giving the Blue Devils the ball on their own 36. A key fourth down play kept their drive alive and allowed their final touchdown of the evening with just 0:21 to play, making the score at recess Lodi 42 - NGM 0. (Not a misprint). Double Ouch!

The second half started with fireworks, literally(!), as someone set off a rather spectacular 90+ seconds pyrotechnic display whilst the NGM kick was in the air and the Lodi receiver in the process of his return. Pretty as it was, someone missed their cue of what no doubt was intended to be the conclusion of the Homecoming halftime show. Call it "gallows humor" but I found it added a much-appreciated touch of levity to the evening.

Beyond that the third quarter was of no interest...no offense, no scoring, just a bunch of rather pedestrian three-and-outs by both teams with the clock now running nonstop (per 35-point rule).

NGM's lone highlight reel moment came at the 6:48 mark in the fourth when Marty found his favorite receiver, senior A.C. Strok, for an 80-yard touchdown! Strok zigged, zagged, and weaved his way the length of the field with a lone defender in hot pursuit but unable to catch him. Strok, having entered the game as the conference leader in yards per catch, can add this to his resume.

Final score: Lodi 42 - NGM 7.

And that, as they say, is that! A good old fashioned whip'n laid on by a very good opponent with its sights clearly set on playoff positioning.

NGM next travels to play the State's #2 ranked Columbus Cardinals. Game time is 7:00 p.m. See you in Columbus.

NOTE: Just recently NGM has added another game to the schedule. Now they will play Southwestern High School at Hazel Green to close out the season on Friday, October 21.