By Murray Gleffe, Sports Correspondent
The Bay Port Pirates football team got off to a 28-0 start, gave up 21 unanswered to the Jaguars, and then scored the game’s final 20 points to defeat the Jaguars by a final score of 48-21. For the Jaguars, Alex Stanko rushed for over 180 yards, and two touchdowns, and recovered a fumble on the defensive side of things.
The Pirates took the opening drive and went 65 yards in 8 plays resulting in a Jack Plumb 5-yard touchdown reception to put them up 7-0 with 8:08 left in the opening quarter. Meanwhile, the Jaguars managed just 10 plays on their two first quarter possessions. Both resulted in punts. The Pirates second possession produced a 61-yard touchdown reception by Cordell Tinch, and their 3rd was a Ryan Smith 1-yard plunge to put the Pirates in a commanding position up 21-0.
The heartache continued (for the Jaguars) as the 2nd quarter opened up. Jaguars star back Alex Stanko was stripped as he was heading upfield. The Pirates recovered and cashed in 5 plays later. Pirates running back Jacob Calawerts took the ball around the right corner 8 yards, and into the endzone. The Pirates led 28-0 with 6:49 left in the 2nd quarter and many in attendance thought a running clock was going to take place before long.
On the ensuing kickoff, however, Will Adair gave the Jaguars a resurgence of energy by returning the ball 50 yards to the Pirate half of the field. That play set the tone for the Jaguars for the next 20 plus minutes. Jaguars QB Anthony Guarascio started the series by throwing to Cam Wheeler out of the backfield for 8 yards. That was followed by two Stanko runs, and the drive was capped off by Evan Wood who hauled in a 12-yard TD reception to put the Jaguars on the board at 28-7 with 5:42 remaining till the half.
The Jaguars came out of the ‘shed’ at halftime and on the second play from scrimmage to start half number two, Alex Stanko, once again, broke a long run. This time, he walloped through the Pirate defense for 78 yards and a Jaguar touchdown to cut the margin to 28-21. Who would have thought 7 minutes earlier that the Jaguars would have ripped off 21 straight to pull within one score? After exchanging punts, during the 3rd quarter, the Pirates put the cap on a 9 play, 51-yard drive that Isaac Krause finished off with a 13-yard run around the left side of the line. The touchdown seemed to sap all the energy out of the Jaguars who at that point only trailed 35-21 with 2:06 left in the 3rd, but would fail to score again in the game.
The Jaguars had two fairly decent drives end in turnovers on downs on the Pirate side of the field in the 4th quarter. The Pirates added two late touchdown drives to add to their 27-point victory of margin. The Jaguars will travel to Green Bay Southwest next week.
High School Football Preview:
Ashwaubenon Jaguars (1-3) at Green Bay Southwest Trojans (4-0)…September 15th (7:00 PM)
The Jaguars and Trojans played one of the most epic games in 2016! The game featured 17 touchdowns, and over 1000 yards of offense. This year’s game will feature the undefeated Trojans who have defeated the likes of Pulaski, DePere, Green Bay Preble, and Manitowoc. The Trojans once again have bruiser running back Josh Komis who has rushed for near 400 yards, and QB Nick Howard who has passed for almost 1000 yards just four games in. His favorite targets are Kaleb Keener, Will Pytleski, and Noah Schmidt. The Jaguars sit at 1-3 and are fighting for their playoff lives. They desperately need a win on the road. Alex Stanko leads the Jaguars on the ground going for over 500 yards. He busted two touchdown runs over 70 yards vs the Pirates last week. A number of receivers (Will Adair, Evan Wood, Grifin Baierl) are capable for the Jaguars, and more than one will have to step up against a very stout Trojan defense.