Football: Shawano forces five turnovers in tight win

SHAWANO — Brayden Dickelman rushed for three touchdowns to lead the Shawano Community High School football team, but it was five takeaways that helped the team finish off a 21-14 nonconference win over Oconto Falls on Friday.

Dickelman, a senior running back, and junior Gage Timm got the Hawks off to a fast start, splitting the carries on a five-play, 61-yard touchdown drive to open the contest. Dickelman capped the drive with a 21-yard touchdown run.

Shawano’s defense also came out strong, forcing a punt on the first Oconto Falls’ drive.

The visiting Panthers settled into the game soon after though, sacking Timm on third down to force a punt before putting together a seven-play scoring drive to tie the contest.

Shawano looked to be on its way to answering the score with a touchdown of its own, but several penalties eventually put the hosts in a situation to big to overcome, and a sack on fourth down inside the 20 ended the threat.

The Hawks’ defense had its first takeaway on the next drive, as junior Max Hanuer picked off a pass after Oconto Falls had passed midfield.

The takeaway helped the defense settle in before another takeaway on a fumbled punt return set up the Hawks’ second touchdown.

Timm connected on passes with junior Kaleb Lowney and sophomore Elliott Lowney during the drive before strong runs from Timm and Dickelman put the hosts inside the Oconto Falls’ 5. The next play, Dickelman powered into the end zone to make it 14-7.

“It’s great when we can get some great defensive games. I think against Seymour and Waupaca were also games like this,” said Dickelman on how the defense carried the team. “It really helps our offense out, especially when we are struggling (offensively).”

Oconto Falls wasn’t done yet though, scoring on its second possession of the second half to tie the game again.

Dickelman helped the Hawks answer in a hurry, returning the kickoff to the Oconto Falls’ 45 before taking the handoff and breaking free for the game-winning score a play later.

From there, Shawano’s defense sealed up the victory. The Panthers were on three promising drives before the Hawks forced turnovers.

On the possession following Dickelman’s third touchdown, senior Ben Carroll stepped in front of a pass for an interception.

The next Oconto Falls’ offensive drive also ended in an interception. Senior Nick Sherman recorded the pick after Oconto Falls had worked the ball inside the 20.

The Panthers’ final drive of the game just worked past midfield before Dickelman put the exclamation point on the victory after snatching a fumble out of the air.

“They’re methodical, they move the football with their run game and their not in a hurry and they run what they want to run,” said Tomow of Oconto Falls’ offense. “So for us defensively, it was really bend but don’t break. Get them in third-and-longs and out of their comfort zone of running the ball and a lot of times we did. Our defense came up with turnovers and I thought they did a nice job.”

Shawano improved to 4-3 overall after the win. The Hawks will now return to Bay Conference play for the final two weeks of the season, with one win making the team playoff-eligible and two wins guaranteeing a playoff spot.

Shawano is scheduled to play at Menasha on Friday before hosting Green Bay West on Oct. 18.

Oconto Falls 7 0 7 0

Shawano 7 7 7 0

First quarter

S: Brayden Dickelman 21-yard run (Ethan Schwitzer kick), 10:04

OF: Mitchell Manns 52-yard run (Manns kick), 2:59

Second quarter

S: Dickelman 4-yard run (Schwitzer kick), 0:32

Third quarter

OF: Wyatt Borkovec 1-yard run (Manns kick), 1:53

S: Dickelman 45-yard run (Schwitzer kick), 1:35