Phantoms defense grinds out win against Galloping Ghosts to advance

KAUKAUNA — After a season ending 13-7 loss to Kaukauna in last year’s post season matchup, the West De Pere Phantoms exacted their revenge on the Galloping Ghosts with a 20-14 win to advance to the next round of the WIAA postseason. 

“I saw grit. We’ve talked about it. Those are the four pillars — Grind, Intensity, Responsibility and Trust. I’ll tell you what, I don’t care how we win, whether it’s the old Patrick throwing 8 touchdowns or the defense coming up strong at the end of the game. This is awesome for our team,” said head coach Chris Greisen. 

On their first drive the Phantoms can out strong and worked their way up the field for a touchdown pass from quarterback Patrick Greisen to wide receiver Brock Story from just inside the 20 yard line to take the 7-0 lead. 

However, strong offense by Kaukauna led them to even the score at 7-7 on their next drive. 

Kaukauna took the lead before the end of the first quarter after a long reception by wide receiver Parker Schuh brought them down field. 

Kaukauna led the game 14-7 going into the second quarter. 

Things seemed bleak for the Phantoms when Story had the ball stripped from him after a long reception which the Galloping Ghosts recovered at their own 22-yard line. 

After the Phantoms pulled out a stop, a few drives later Kaukauna’s Linkoln Xiong came up just short on a field goal from the 19 yard line with 3:25 left in the half. 

Phantoms Wide Receiver Judea Kniskern clinched a reception to bring his team in scoring position. 

Brandon Schaefer nailed a field goal from the 15-yard line to bring the score to 14-10 —- a score that would hold the last minute and a half going into half time after defensive back Colin Jindra’s interception on the Ghost’s next possession. 

The Phantoms found themselves 39-yards out from the end zone, but the Phantoms’ next field goal attempt was blocked from the 24-yard line. 

Going into the second half, a bobbled punt by Kaukauna led to a West De Pere touchdown a few plays later by Kniskern with 8 mins left in the third quarter to bring the game to 17-14 as West De Pere took the lead. 

Schaefer made another field goal a few drives later to bring the score to 20-14 with 7 minutes left in the game. 

Kaukauna made their final drive down the field and brought themselves to 4th and 1 with the ball on the 7-yard line with 16 seconds on the clock. 

After securing the first down, two false starts brought them to 1st and 15. 

With 6 seconds remaining the Phantoms defense came up big with a stop to put away the win and advance to the next round of the WIAA post season. 

“(Kaukauna) is a great defense and a really well-coached team. They dropped 8, sometimes 9 guys. They mixed up the coverage and they did a really great job with Patrick changing up the coverages, but he was able to find enough and our offensive line got the run game going a little bit and got it in,” said Coach Greisen. 

“I mean holding Kaukauna to zero points in the second half. That’s huge. Hats off to Coach Morrison and our defensive staff, and the kids.”