By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
DE PERE – It wasn’t pretty, but it was business as usual for the Pulaski football team Friday night against West De Pere.
The Red Raiders used their ball-control offense and three interceptions by the defense to post a 21-7 Fox River Classic Conference (FRCC) victory at West De Pere High School.
“Winning is your best deodorant,” Pulaski Head Coach Jerad Marsh said. “It makes the things that sting a bit go away. We’ll enjoy this victory for a few days before moving on.”
Marsh was referring to his team’s 14-0 loss to Bay Port Sept. 24.
Pulaski’s longest run of the game was 16 yards, but it kept its offense on the field for a good portion of the night.
“Our guys are built that way,” Marsh said. “Our defense is solid, too. My defense this season could be as solid as I’ve ever been around. If we can grind it out on offense, we have a good chance to win. Offensively, we’re still not where we need to be.”
The Red Raiders (6-1 overall, 4-1 FRCC) scored on their first possession of the game when Aaron Maroszek scored from two yards out.
Earlier in the drive, Maroszek converted on a fourth-down run for 16 yards.
Halfway through the second quarter, West De Pere (2-5, 2-3) went for it on 4th-and-2 from its own 22, but running back Najeh Mitchell was stuffed for no gain.
Pulaski scored a few plays later when Derek Block hit Aidan McDougal from 20 yards out to make it 14-0 after the extra point.
The Phantoms made it interesting late when Isaac Kaster picked up a fumble inside the Red Raiders’ 10-yard line and returned it about 85 yards.
The sophomore Kaster was knocked out at the Pulaski 1-yard line.
West De Pere quarterback Duke Shovald scored on a sneak a few plays later to make it 21-7 after the extra point.
The Phantoms recovered the ensuing onside kick, but Elliott Karcz intercepted a Shovald pass in the end zone as time expired.
Mason Wells and Benjamin Suchalla also had interceptions for Pulaski, while Thomas Mudd had one for West De Pere.
The Red Raiders host league-leading De Pere (6-1, 5-0) in a key FRCC matchup Friday, Oct. 8.
“We expect to get a win every week, but we rarely talk about wins and losses as a team,” Marsh said. “It should be another good game next week.”