Defensive battle in Port goes to Homestead

The game featured more punting yardage than offense, and Homestead High School’s football team walked out of Port Washington with a 24-7 victory last Friday.

The Highlanders built a 21-0 halftime lead and were to receive the third-quarter kickoff. But the Pirates had other ideas.

Kicker Will Stopczynski recovered his own onside kick.

That led to a 38-yard drive for the Pirates’ only score of the game.

Nolan Makoutz finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown run.

The Pirates’ defense forced three punts on four Highlander possessions in the second half, only allowing a 24-yard field goal and 61 yards of offense.

But the Highlanders picked off two passes to stop Pirates’ drives. One led to a field goal. They recovered a fumble in the second quarter that led to a touchdown.

Patrick Lippe led Port in rushing with 19 yards on seven carries and in receiving with three catches for 32 yards.

Quarterback Ethan Baierl went 5-for-18 for 52 yards and an interception. Aedan Egan went 2-for-5 for six yards and an interception.

Port was held to 69 yards of offense.

Highlander Sam Fehrenbach had 116 yards rushing and three touchdowns on runs of six, five and two yards. Quarterback Jack Wirthlin went 4-for-7 passing for 50 yards.

Homestead had 219 yards of offense. It ran 56 offensive plays to 40 for the Pirates.

The Pirates punted seven times for 243 yards, a 34.7 average. The Highlanders punted five times for 166 yards (33.2).

The Pirates went to 1-6 in the North Shore Conference and overall. They play at Whitefish Bay (3-4) Friday.

Homestead (6-1) hosts Slinger (5-2).