Cascade Badgers Trounce Simms Tigers

The Badgers traveled to Simms for the second year in a row due to an offseason conference realignment that placed them back into the strong north.

Simms won the toss, deferring to receive the ball in the second half, while the Badgers took the opening kickoff. After a successful kick return by Peyton Hauk brought the ball to their own 25, the Badgers went to work on the ground. With inside, outside, and edge action complemented by consistent downfield blocking, the Badgers marched down the field and scored an opening 4-yard touchdown by Trevor Standley. Peyton Hauk ran in the 2-point conversion. After a booming kick by Brant Ligameri, the coverage team streaked down the field, and Deyton Raether and Riley Pettit gang-tackled the Simms kick returner near the one-yard line.

On their first play from scrimmage, the Badgers' stout defensive line shut down the Tigers' running attack, causing a fumble that was recovered by Ian McKamey and Isaac Okes. The Badgers quickly scored again on a 2-yard run by Standley, and Hauk caught a pass from McKamey for the 2-point conversion, bringing the score to 16-0. After another booming kick resulted in a touchback, the Tigers started from their own 15, and the Badgers went back to work on defense. The interior of the Badger defense was strong, forcing the Tigers to attempt a passing game. After failing to gain yardage, they were forced to punt, giving the ball back to the Badgers with good field position and momentum on their side.

Following a few short gains, Trevor Standley took a toss from McKamey and shot through a gap between two teammates who were engaged in blocks. Standley sprinted down the sideline for a 50-yard touchdown. McKamey added two points with a bootleg run, bringing the score to 24-0. The next defensive series ended with a bang as Ligameri pressured the Simms passer, and Kegen Vanek swarmed into the passing lane, intercepting an errant pass and weaving his way behind quick-thinking defenders turned blockers for a 20-yard interception return touchdown. The first quarter ended with a score of 30-0.

The second quarter was highlighted by fast and hard-hitting defensive play and more offensive big gains. Standley scored again on a 67-yard sprint, and the defensive pressure forced yet another errant Tiger pass. Like Groundhog Day, Kegen Vanek swarmed into the lane, snatching the Simms pass and finding space behind savvy blockers. Juking left and right, Vanek scored on a second interception touchdown. Asher Nelson added the 2-point conversion on a toss sweep from McKamey. On the next offensive possession, Ian McKamey took the snap, hit the inside gap hard, emerged from traffic, and sprinted 40 yards for the touchdown. The Badgers took a commanding 50-6 lead into the halftime break.

The second half featured solid defensive play from various varsity players, with all three levels of the defense swarming and gang-tackling their opponents until the whistle blew on each play. The highlight of the second half was a 62-yard fumble scoop and score by Kameron Kakalecik.

Final Score: Badgers 56 – 6