By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent
PULASKI – Pulaski’s Ben Redlin rushed for 185 yards and two touchdowns in the Red Raiders’ 34-6 Fox River Classic Conference victory over Ashwaubenon at a blustery and cold Saputo Stadium Oct. 11.
Nash Lemerond threw for two touchdowns and rushed for 49 yards in the win.
“This was a huge win for us,” said Lemerond. “We have to keep doing what we are doing and practice very hard this week. The guys are ready to go out and get this last regular season victory.”
Ashwaubenon running back Connor Ramage was held to 61 yards by the stout Pulaski defense.
The victory for the Red Raiders (8-0 overall, 8-0 FRCC) sets up a conference showdown Oct. 18 with Bay Port (8-0, 8-0) to determine the league champion.
Ashwaubenon (6-2, 6-2) took the opening drive and marched down the field with quarterback Cadian Vang’s shifty running.
Ten plays, 73 yards and 6:36 later, Ramage scored from 9 yards out to give the Jaguars an early 6-0 lead after the point-after attempt was mishandled.
“They did a real nice job chewing up clock,” said Pulaski head coach Jerad Marsh. “Our coaches got together after the first drive and decided to clean things up. We had a nice last three quarters with our defense not giving up any points.”
With Pulaski facing a 3rd and 9 deep in its zone on its first drive of the game, Redlin took a handoff and galloped 74 yards down the right sidelines for a score.
The ensuing PAT gave the Red Raiders a 7-6 lead with 3:25 remaining in the opening quarter.
Midway through the second quarter, Vang was picked off by Jake Binkowski, setting Pulaski up in good field position.
Three plays later, Redlin took a counter and went 43 yards up the middle for another score and a 13-6 advantage halfway through the second frame.
“Pulaski is a well-coached football team that doesn’t make a lot of mistakes,” said Ashwaubenon head coach Brian Ryczkowski. “We had a nice opening drive, and then they clamped down on us for a majority of the rest of the game and got their offense going.”
Near the end of the second quarter, the Jaguars punted near midfield, and a huge gust of wind forced a 3-yard punt.
They milked the last drive of the half all the way down.
With 10 seconds remaining, Lemerond found Bo Bramschreiber from 1 yard out with a fake run, quick heave similar to what Florida quarterback Tim Tebow used to do.
It gave the Red Raiders a 20-6 lead heading into the second half.
“We know our bread and butter is the run,” said Marsh. “When we throw in a pass, we have the utmost confidence those guys will make the plays. Tonight, there were some opportunities, and you cannot ask for much more.”
The Red Raiders essentially put the game away after Brock Egnarski intercepted Vang and took it 30 yards to the house to give the home team a three-touchdown advantage midway through the third quarter.
Bramschreiber added a 27-yard touchdown grab early in the fourth to provide the final margin.
“They’ve stuck with the 1-0 mentality all season,” Marsh said. “I don’t think we’ll change that up at this point heading into week nine.”
Box score
Ashwaubenon: 6, 0, 0, 0—6
Pulaski: 7, 13, 7, 7—34