KLC’s weaponry handles Ozaukee

Friday wasn’t the start the Ozaukee High School football team was looking for, but the Warriors showed some flashes of sharp play in a 34-13 home loss to Kohler/Sheboygan Lutheran/Christian.

Sophomore Brett Hamm ran 38 times for 198 yards and two touchdowns, which made up the bulk of Ozaukee’s offense.

“He ran hard. Some of those four and five-yard runs, he’s getting hit at two yards,” first-year coach Cole Large said.

The Warriors started flat but got into a rhythm in the second quarter, Large said. Hamm had a six-yard touchdown run and KLC held a 14-7 halftime lead.

In the second half, KLC built a 34-7 lead before Hamm scored on a two-yard run in the fourth quarter.

The Warriors’ offensive line got going in the second and fourth quarters, led by right guard Skyler Mills and left tackle Zach Bell.

“They were busting their butts up front,” Large said.

On defense, safety Phil McLarty made 10 tackles, which, Large said, is a mixed bag of results.

“He had a lot of tackles but at the same time that means they’re getting to the second level,” he said.

After missing last year due to injury and trying out new positions, linebacker Blake Cocanower had four tackles and an interception. At fullback, he helped lead the way for Hamm.

“He was really physical on offense, and on defense he made some nice plays too,” Large said.

Overall, Large said, the defense has to wrap up better in tackling.

For KLC, Matt Stephany ran 15 times for 110 yards and two scores, and Robby Michael ran 12 times for 94 yards. Michael went 10-for-17 passing for 137 yards and three scores with an interception.

The Warriors had prepared for KLC’s passing game but KLC adjusted and ran the ball well, Large said.

“They were a very good football team. We knew that they were a solid team,” he said. “We were gassed out in the third and fourth quarters.”

Ozaukee almost exclusively moved the ball on the ground. McLarty went 1-for-8 passing for 20 yards, and Noah Harness threw one incompletion. Cocanower had the Warriors’ only catch.

This week, the Warriors host Southern Door, which beat one of Ozaukee’s Big East Conference rivals Oostburg, 25-17, at home last Friday.

“We’re excited to get a chance to bounce back this week. We’ve got a lot of opportunities,” Large said.