Football: FVL spoils Oconto Falls’ homecoming

OCONTO FALLS — The Oconto Falls High School football team had its homecoming game spoiled by Fox Valley Lutheran on Friday.

Fox Valley Lutheran scored touchdowns on five of its seven possessions in the first half to take a 38-0 lead into halftime of the North Eastern Conference matchup. The Foxes also scored on their first drive of the second half before Oconto Falls scored twice in the fourth quarter to finish the scoring in a 45-14 final.

Looking for a fast start against one of the conference’s top teams, instead Oconto Falls’ first offensive possession ended in a three-and-out. A long punt return set FVL up at the Oconto Falls’ 20-yard line, and two plays later, the Foxes scored to go up 7-0.

The Panthers’ second possession also ended in a punt after just three plays, but this time, Oconto Falls’ defense held up. After a passing play looked to have set up FVL in Oconto Falls’ territory, the Panthers forced a fumble that senior Mitchell Manns recovered.

The big defensive play gave a bit of a jolt to the hosts, who picked up a first down on a Manns’ run on the ensuing drive. But a sack on the next third down halted the drive.

FVL then put together a five-play, 80-yard drive that included a couple of long passes.

“They are really fast, just super fast on the outside. They got five, six, seven kids that can catch the ball in space and make you miss and it’s off to the races for them,” said Oconto Falls coach Nick Bohl on what made FVL tough to stop.

The Panthers picked up another first down on their next drive after senior quarterback Joey Walters hit senior Jarod Parsons and junior Owen Huber on passes, but the hosts were eventually forced to punt again.

Another long pass put the Foxes deep in Panthers’ territory, but the host’s defense held FVL to a field goal. Oconto Falls junior Daylen Hischke made a tackle for no gain before Manns broke up a pass attempt to force the long field goal.

A sack put the Panthers in a tough situation on the next drive, but a roughing the punter call extended the host’s drive. Facing a third-and-four, Oconto Falls couldn’t connect on a pass play, having to punt the ball back to FVL.

A couple long FVL pass plays moved the ball down the field quickly before a short rushing touchdown extended the visitor’s lead. A fumble by Oconto Falls on the ensuing kickoff gave FVL great field position, and the Foxes scored after just two passing plays to go up 31-0.

“They are more of a passing team and our entire conference does a lot of running. It’s a different pace and we have to get up to that. They’re very fast, they just get to the corner and go,” said Parsons. “Our open-field tackling wasn’t good, we need to get better on that because we were there for the plays, we just didn’t finish them.”

Oconto Falls’ offense picked up another first down on its next drive on a fake punt run, but again had the drive stall and had to put.

FVL got another long return and started its drive at the Oconto Falls’ 10, scoring three plays later for the final score of the first half.

With under three minutes to go until the half, Oconto Falls tried to put together a scoring drive. Huber carried the ball three times, picking up a first down on third-and-one. But again, one first down was all Oconto Falls could muster, forcing a punt with under five seconds to go. FVL nearly added to its lead on the punt return, but the Panthers ran the returner down inside the 10.

FVL’s starters stayed on the field to start the second half, putting together a six-play, 75-yard drive to extend its lead to 45-0.

Walters hit Hischke on a pass for a first down on the Panthers’ first drive of the half, but the drive ended in a punt.

The Panthers forced the first FVL punt on the next drive, and the offense kept the momentum going. On the first play of the drive, Manns broke free for an 80-yard touchdown run.

“It was a good feeling because it gets some good energy going for next week,” said Manns. “Good positive plays at the end and kept our heads up.”

After stuffing a pair of runs to start the next FVL drive, junior Garrett Vervelde picked off a pass after a deflection to get the offense the ball again.

The Panthers took advantage, putting together a 60-yard drive. The drive started with runs from senior Wyatt Borkovec, sophomore Dylan Thomson and Manns before Walters hit Parsons for a 15-yard touchdown pass.

“That’s how we play at Oconto Falls. We fight until the end and don’t stop for anybody,” said Walters on the team’s fight until the end.

The loss dropped Oconto Falls to 0-5 overall and in conference play. The Panthers will host Luxemburg-Casco in week six on Friday.

Fox Valley Lutheran 17 21 7 0

Oconto Falls 0 0 0 14

First quarter

FVL: Josiah Behm 15-yard pass from Isaiah Ulman (Andrew Martin kick), 9:35

FVL: Andrew Behm 5-yard run (Martin kick), 3:47

FVL: Martin 39-yard kick, 0:04

Second quarter

FVL: A. Behm 2-yard run (Martin kick), 7:38

FVL: Sam Steigenberger 4-yard pass from Ulman (Martin kick), 6:51

FVL: Ulman 7-yard run (Martin kick), 2:43

Third quarter

FVL: Parker Knoll 12-yard pass from Ulman (Martin kick), 8:22

Fourth quarter

OF: Mitchell Manns 80-yard run (Manns kick), 10:24

OF: Jarod Parson 15-yard pass from Joey Walters (Manns kick), 5:04

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