By Joshua Staloch
Correspondent
GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Southwest football team put together a gritty week-two performance in a 14-10 win over De Pere at Southwest High School Aug. 29.
The victory for the Trojans was in large part due to the play of Javonnee Szymanski, who had a kickoff return for a touchdown and two interceptions on defense.
“That was exactly what you want from a high school football game,” said Southwest co-head coach Pat Wallace. “So much credit goes to our defense. They were out there a ton – we had one first down on offense in the first half. We’re such a young team – to see them fight back from the opening kickoff score was great. We got better as the game went on.”
The Fox River Classic Conference contest got off to a fast start, as De Pere’s Kyjuan Vengrowsky took the game’s opening kickoff for a touchdown before either offense had taken a snap.
“We felt like special teams didn’t help us much in week one, but obviously, you can’t start a game better than we did tonight,” said De Pere head coach Chad Michalkiewicz. “That was great.”
The Redbirds (0-2 overall, 0-2 FRCC) put together a solid drive in the second quarter to add to their lead thanks largely to a 24-yard rush from Adam Timbrook, which took the visitors deep into Trojans’ territory.
However, the Southwest (1-1, 1-1) defense stiffened and forced a field goal by Mulu Joyce to make it 10-0.
The ensuing kickoff saw some fireworks.
The bobbled ball between two would-be receivers ended up on the turf before being scooped up by Szymanski, who diced his way through the first wave of tacklers, found a sliver of a running lane and never looked back in cutting the deficit to three.
“I wasn’t nervous,” Szymanski said when asked what was going through his mind when he picked up the ball. “We practice, practice, practice. As soon as I got it, I thought, ‘score.’ I trust my teammates. I knew they were going to open things up and I’d look up and be right behind my blockers.”
Right before halftime, De Pere responded by marching deep into Southwest territory, only to have Szymanski intercept what would have been a touchdown pass from Redbirds quarterback Christian Bocik at the 5-yard line.
“We had a come to Jesus moment with the offensive line at halftime,” Wallace added. “We challenged them and let them know that if we’re going to start winning games, it’s going to be on their blocking. They came out and gave us the kind of effort we know they’re capable of.”
With the game still 10-7 to begin the fourth quarter, De Pere again looked to score as it took advantage of a roughing-the-passer-call against Southwest which moved the ball into the red zone.
Inside the Trojans’ 10 on second down, Bocik rolled out of the pocket and rifled a pass to the goal line, but again, Szymanski was there to make the play, intercepting the ball at the 1.
After Southwest’s ensuing drive advanced to midfield, De Pere fumbled the punt return setting up a wild finish.
Starting the drive at the De Pere 32 late in the game, the Trojans went to their ground game in search of the lead.
The running of Taejon Richard and scrambling ability of quarterback Alex Kowalczyk set up a nice pitch to Richard from 11 yards out for the go-ahead score.
Kicker Kiara Thomas split the uprights on her second point-after try of the evening to provide the final margin of victory.
“Our defense did a good job right up until Southwest put together that big drive,” Michalkiewicz said. “We’re seeing flashes. We had more positives tonight than we did last week, but we can’t continue to commit turnovers. Overall, I’m pleased with the effort from the kids.”