Reedsville stays undefeated with Ozaukee shutout

Reedsville High School’s football team showed why it is in first place in the Big East Conference last Friday in Fredonia.

The Panthers ran for 279 yards on only 30 carries, averaging nearly 10 yards per rush, and got a highlight-reel defensive touchdown in a 28-0 victory.

“I think if four, five plays change it’s a totally different game. I don’t feel we were that far off in this one despite what the score says,” Ozaukee coach Michael Schatz said.

Ozaukee nearly took control of the game early. The Panthers muffed the opening kickoff after a stiff wind blew the ball back toward the Warriors.

But Reedsville forced Ozaukee into fourth and 11, and the Warriors gained eight yards on a Jack Genzmer run.

Reedsville promptly drove 83 yards and scored a touchdown on a 20-yard pass.

The Warriors threatened again, driving to Reedsville’s 34-yard line, but the Panthers’ Brennen Dvorachek tipped an overthrow to himself and raced 75 yards down the sideline for another score.

Cael Large shut down one Panther drive by lunging in front of a receiver to make an interception.

The game was 14-0 at half.

In the third quarter, the Warriors got stopped on fourth and goal from the 9 and never got that close to the end zone again.

The Panthers got a 3-yard touchdown run from Dvorachek and a 15-yard scoring run from Cole Ebert in the second half.

Genzmer was held to 54 yards on 20 carries. Bret Hamm rumbled for 46 yards on 13 carries, but Reedsville was able to stop him inches from a first down on fourth and three near midfield in the fourth quarter.

“Bret’s just a bull. He loves contact. He just wants to deliver the blow, he doesn’t want to take it,” Schatz said.

Ty Szczerbinski went 2-for-3 passing for 10 yards and an interception.

For the Panthers, Dvorachek went 2-for-3 passing for 61 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Weston Liebzeit had five carries for 80 yards.

“Reedsville has some really good players out there and they made plays,” Schatz said, and he also complimented the Panthers’ coaches for making adjustments.

Ozaukee was without center and linebacker Brandon Harbison due to contact tracing, and defensive back Austin Wadkins due to injury.

Schatz praised backup center Kevin Diaz and backup linebacker Austin Lemke for filling in, as well as Sawyer Kowalkowski in his first start at cornerback.

The Warriors, despite the score, fought until the final play.

“Heart is the No. 1 attribute of this team,” Schatz said. “I have nothing but great things to say about every single kid on this team.”

Ozaukee (3-2) plays at Manitowoc Lutheran (1-3) on Friday. Reedsville (5-0) hosts Hilbert (4-1) in a game that could help decide the Big East title.