Stefanich’s star blooming for RLO football team

Jeffrey Stefanich is developing into a force on both sides of the ball, and Random Lake/Ozaukee high school’s football team has won three of its first four games.

The latest victory came in a 13-7 battle over Reedsville at in Random Lake last Friday.

Stefanich had 17 carries for 109 yards, and he made 10 tackles and intercepted a pass.

“He was dynamic,” RLO coach Cole Large said. “I think he’s shown it now.”

The Bison stopped the Panthers on fourth down near midfield with about three minutes to go in the game, then iced it.

“I liked how we responded after getting in a battle that didn’t go our way,” Large said, referring to a 26-6 home loss to Oostburg two weeks ago.

Colton Dybul ran 16 times for 88 yards and made six tackles.

“Dybul did well running through tackles and holes,” Large said.

Jack Upson ran seven times for 38 yards and had both of the Bison’s touchdowns.

“He played good at fullback. He and Carter (Abgglen) split time. It gives those guys rest,” Large said.

The Bison had 244 yards rushing on 41 carries, averaging six yards per run.

“The offensive line did a heck of a job opening holes. It was their best game of the year,” Large said.

Otto Schmitz had seven tackles and a sack, and regularly pressured Panthers’ quarterback Lucas Lodel.

“Otto had a heck of a game on defense. He was all over the place,” Large said.

Gage Berndt returned from injury and made eight tackles.

“He had a pretty good game on the edge, chasing guys down,” Large said.

The Bison held Lodel to 3-for-9 passing for 88 yards with two interceptions. Besides Stefanich, Owen Uselding picked off a pass and returned it 46 yards.

The Panthers had 144 yards rushing on 28 carries, led by Jeffrey Zabel’s 16 runs for 88 yards.

The Bison didn’t fumble or throw an interception. Stefanich went 1-for-4 passing for 14 yards. Carter Abegglen caught that pass.

The Bison led 13-0 at halftime and nearly had the game in hand a couple of times, but a holding penalty negated a touchdown run of more than 50 yards with 30 seconds left in the second quarter. Two touchdowns were called back on the Bison’s final drive due to holding penalties.

“It was called on both sides,” Large said of the penalties. “It’s something you’ve got to play through.”

The Panthers scored on a long drive to start the second half. The Bison tried to answer with a long drive of its own, but that’s when two touchdowns were called back in the red zone. They didn’t convert on fourth down from the 7-yard line.

The Bison, 1-1 in the Big East, host defending conference champion Manitowoc Lutheran, 4-0, for Ozaukee’s homecoming game on Friday, Sept. 19.

“We know they’re a really good football team. It will be a challenge,” Large said.