BY RICH PALZEWIC
CORRESPONDENT
SUAMICO – The Bay Port football team is just two games away from making Fox River Classic Conference history.
The No. 4 ranked Pirates (7-0) can move one step closer to breaking the all-time FRCC consecutive wins streak this Friday at 7:00 with a Homecoming victory over De Pere (3-4).
Bay Port has won 16 conference games in a row, one short of tying Ashwaubenon’s mark of 17 set from 2012-14.
“That stuff (the streak) is more for the media,” said a smiling Bay Port head coach Gary Westerman after his squad beat Green Bay Southwest 21-14 on Sept. 29 to remain unbeaten. “We don’t worry too much about that…we are just concentrating on going 1-0 against De Pere this week.”
De Pere has struggled this year, with only three wins over Sheboygan South, Sheboygan North and Manitowoc. Those three teams have a combined record of 2-19.
A year ago, the Pirates beat the Redbirds in the regular-season finale 49-12 to finish undefeated in the FRCC for the second time in three years. De Pere gave Bay Port its last conference loss on Oct. 16 of 2015.
The Redbirds have scored just 134 points this season, which is 8th best in the FRCC. They’ve been slightly better defensively, giving up 174 points, which is 6th in the conference.
De Pere Quarterback Christian Bocik is completing just 49% of his passes (68-140) for 872 yards, but he does have 10 TD passes to go along with his 8 interceptions.
Running back Nate Baranek has rushed for 705 yards (5.2 yards per carry) and scored 7 touchdowns.
Receiver Gavin Knott has 22 receptions for 433 yards, which equals an impressive 19.7 yards-per-catch average.
Bay Port leads the league in scoring offense (47.4) and defense (14.7) and is second in rushing yards per game (278.6) and first in total defensive yards allowed per game (198.4).
Quarterback Isaac Krause is one of the best dual-threats in the conference with his strong arm and tough running. Krause leads the team in rushing with 658 yards (7.5 yards per carry) and 10 TDs. He is also completing an impressive 71% of his passes (64-of-90) for 909 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has been picked off just four times.
Running backs Jacob Calawerts and Isaiah Gash have a combined 849 yards on the ground, while receiver Cordell Tinch leads the team with 467 yards receiving on 35 catches.
Sophomore Call Verlanic leads the defense with 68 tackles, while Spencer Van Pietersom and Tanner Hendricks each have 52 stops.