Eight Port football players recognized

Its season was cut short due to Covid-19, but some Port Washington High School football players still turned in solid years in their new conference.

Ten Pirates were honored by the East Central Conference, including three selections to the first team.

Junior Michael Bunyan, coach John Bunyan’s son, made the first team as a tight end. In five games, he caught 13 passes for 146 yards and was a key blocker.

“I think Michael had a really good year blocking-wise,” coach Bunyan said.

In the passing game, he caught fades, slants and balls across the middle.

“He made catches when we needed to make the catches,” Bunyan said.

Bunyan also made the first team at defensive end. He made 34 tackles — four for losses — had a fumble recovery and defended a pass. He also blocked a punt and made a diving tackle for a safety.

“He was pretty explosive. We blitzed him from both sides and up the middle. He was able to create some havoc,” coach Bunyan said.

Junior defensive back Patrick Lippe was a unanimous selection to the first team. He had 41 tackles — three for losses — had a forced fumble and an interception.

“He was well-deserving of that,” Bunyan said.

“He was like the captain in the back there, putting us in the right coverages. He made a lot of plays athletically to come up on the run and had some pass break-ups.”

As wide receiver, Lippe was one of five Pirates to make the second team. He caught 25 passes for 265 yards. He also rushed 28 times, usually on jet sweeps, for 162 yards and a touchdown.

“He had some clutch catches for some first downs. He came back to the ball nicely,” Bunyan said, adding, “He had a big impact for us with his ability to run the ball.”

Junior offensive lineman Landon Mitchell helped open some of those holes for Lippe and other runners.

“He has worked real hard. He’s real physical at the point of attack. He pulled real well on some of our sweep stuff. We ran behind him a ton,” Bunyan said.

Tackle Mason Riha was one of three defensive selections on the second team. He used his 300-pound frame to stuff the middle and make 20 tackles.

“I call him a tree stump. He’s hard to move, that big boy. He really had a solid year,” Bunyan said. “If he can hold two A gaps, we can hold some stuff outside. That’s basically what we needed up front.”

Junior inside linebacker J.D. Brahm led the team with 52 tackles — six for losses — had a sack and an interception.

“He called all the defenses for us. He could run sideline to sideline. He’s improving and gaining more weight and getting stronger,” Bunyan said.

Senior outside linebacker Lucas Schumacher had 36 tackles, including one for a loss.

“He was real long. He was able to keep guys off of him and have some pass pressures. He dropped into coverage a couple of times and was also up there on the tackle chart,” Bunyan said.

Junior offensive lineman Keegan Szydel earned honorable mention.

“We ran behind him a lot. He was able to open up some stuff,” Bunyan said.

“He has really good feet and is able to climb to the next level and get to the backer at times.”

Sophomore quarterback Nate Uselding also earned honorable mention. He went 62-for-96 passing (64.6%) for 590 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. He ran for 32 yards and a score.

In Port’s only victory, a 35-21 win in its final game of the season on Oct. 23 at Kewaskum, Uselding went 10-for-14 passing for 89 yards and three scores.

“He had a great year for a sophomore,” Bunyan said.

The season, Bunyan said, was one of his most stressful, but not because of football. It was Covid-19.

“You’re just so consciously aware of the health of the kids and coaches,” he said.

Not being able to use the locker room or weight room or get together to watch film made preparation different.

“When we got to play, it was fun,” he said.

The team started the year with four seniors and had three by the end of the season. Bunyan said he looks forward to next season when the Pirates will be more experienced.

“We’re going to have a good year next year,” he said.