Southern Door slams door, windows on Ozaukee

Southern Door High School brought a solid football team to Fredonia last Friday and sent Ozaukee to its second straight loss to start the season.

The Eagles beat the Warriors, 27-0, behind a formidable rushing and passing attack while stuffing Ozaukee’s running game.

“They came in and played tough and we just didn’t match it,” Ozaukee coach Cole Large said.

“Guys are playing hard and they’re staying healthy. We just need to execute better.”

All-Big East Conference running back Jack Genzmer was held to 52 yards on 18 carries in his first action of the season, and sophomore Bret Hamm, who ran for 138 yards and two scores in the season opener, had 25 yards on five runs and caught three balls for 38 yards.

Quarterback Phil McLarty ran seven times for 19 yards and went 6-for-13 passing for 84 yards.

“Phil had a better game throwing the football. He’s settling in getting more comfortable,” Large said.

Sophomore Sawyer Kowalkowski had Ozaukee’s highlight of the night with a 54-yard kickoff return.

“He was a shoestring away,” Large said. “It was a big play and we couldn’t capitalize on it.”

The Warriors managed to get to the red zone, but struggled from there, Large said.

On defense, McLarty stopped a drive at the goal line with an interception and returned it 45 yards. Joe Grabowski had nine tackles. Punter Calvin McKee averaged 43.8 yards on four punts.

For the Eagles, Jack Peterson went 13-for-27 passing for 222 yards with three touchdowns and an interception, and he ran 15 times for 99 yards. Jonas Jandrin ran 21 times for 126 yards and a touchdown. Drew Daoust caught six balls for 127 yards and two scores, and Jared Hawkey caught five for 87 yards and a touchdown.

The Eagles had a 7-0 lead after the first quarter and were up 21-0 at halftime. They scored their final six points in the third quarter.

“They brought it. They came to play,” Large said.

Along with a 34-13 loss to Kohler/Sheboygan Lutheran/Christian — which pummeled Random Lake, 80-6, last Friday — the Warriors started the season with two quality opponents.

But, Large said, the nonconference foes provided game film and time to fix issues.

“These two games gave us a lot to look at as to what we need to get better at,” Large said.

The going in the Big East doesn’t get any easier in the near future. Regular powerhouse Hilbert (2-0) visits on Friday after beating Randolph, 42-6. Then, the Warriors travel to defending league champ Reedsville (2-0), which beat Lourdes Academy, 40-0, last Friday.

“Some of our toughest conference opponents right out of the gate, really quality opponents who have had good programs for a while. We need to get over the hump,” Large said.

“The season hasn’t started the way we wanted. Each guy has to step up more than they are. That includes everybody in the program. That includes coaches.”

While the Warriors only have 22 players in the program, it’s quality and not quantity that counts, Large said.

“It doesn’t matter if you have 50 guys on the sideline or 10. It’s only 11 guys playing at a time,” he said.