Speedy Randolph ends Ozaukee’s season

Ozaukee High School’s football team didn’t end like the Warriors would have wanted, but they did make the playoffs under first-year coach Michael Schatz.

No. 1-seeded Randolph knocked off No. 4-seeded Ozaukee, 26-0, in Division 6.

“They are much faster and much more physical than they look on film,” Schatz said. “They are a very, very good team.”

On a cold calm night, rushing was the name of the game for both teams as it was all season. The Rockets racked up 275 yards on the ground, led by Zach Paul’s 151 on 13 carries, including a 71-yard score.

The Warriors countered with Jack Genzmer, who had 83 yards on 21 runs. The team had 133 yards on 35 carries.

“Jack did Jack things. He had five guys on him every play and he still grinded it out,” Schatz said.

“They were just fast. We kept trying to hit the edge and we couldn’t.”

Even when the Warriors tried their power game, the Rockets’ speed took over.

The teams didn’t reach 50 yards through the air combined. The Rockets had 36 yards and Warrior Ty Szczerbinski was 3-for-12 for 11 yards with an interception. Phil McLarty went 0-for-2 passing with an interception.

The Rockets outgained the Warriors, 311 yards to 144.

Rocket quarterback Brayden Haffele had a 58-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, and Paul later had his big scoring jaunt.

Matt Dykstra had a 3-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, and the Rockets had a 19-0 halftime lead.

Haffele hit Sam Grieger for a 21-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

Defensively for Ozaukee, senior Brandon Harbison again led the way with 16 tackles and a first-half fumble recovery.

“Brandon is just a great football player. Whatever school is able to snap him up to come play is very lucky. He is a coach’s dream. He is everything you want from a football player,” Schatz said.

Trevor Decker had the Warriors’ other turnover, recovering a first-half fumble of his own.

“He doesn’t show up a lot on the stat sheet but he does the dirty work. He gets it done,” Schatz said.

Genzmer and Braxton Gahan forced the fumbles. Genzmer added a sack and Gahan made seven tackles.

Jonny Melendez made 11 tackles.

“Jonny Melendez just wants to hit. He is a stud,” Schatz said. “He plays corner. He should probably be a linebacker.”

McLarty added nine tackles and senior Austin Wadkins returned from a hip injury and made five tackles.

“He had a great game,” Schatz said.

Bret Hamm and Cael Large each had six tackles and Zach Bell had four.

“Cael was Cael. Every chance he got, he made a play,” Schatz said.

A couple of injuries forced long snapper Andrew Caswell to play defense as well.

“He just showed he’s always ready and is just great at what he does,” Schatz said.

Schatz said he will miss all of his seniors after spending one season with them.

“With this group of seniors, a first-time head coach couldn’t ask for anything more,” he said. “I’m really disappointed they’re not back next year because they’re such great kids.”

He specifically mentioned Large and Harbison.

“They are so great at what they do. I don’t think people realize how great they are,” Schatz said.

Szczerbinski, Schatz’s senior quarterback, “literally gave us everything he had.”

The Warriors finished the season 4-4 overall and 3-3 in the Big East Conference. Some players missed games throughout the season due to contact tracing, but Ozaukee High, with just 220 students, could always field a team.

“Obviously, we wish it went a little better but I think we had fun and that’s really what it’s all about,” Schatz said.

“I wanted to send the seniors out on a better note but I believe they started something great and we’ll see what that turns into next year.”