DE PERE – The De Pere football team had all three phases clicking in its 26-3 Fox River Classic Conference (FRCC) victory over Ashwaubenon on Thursday, Sept. 11.
The Redbirds (2-2 overall, 1-1 FRCC) scored offensively, via special teams and the defense picked off Ashwaubenon (2-2, 1-1) quarterback Sawyer Walton three times at De Pere High School.
Coming off a 28-10 week three conference loss to Pulaski, De Pere Coach Ben Strickland said his team needed a good showing against the Jaguars.
“I’m proud of how the guys responded after a slow start,” he said. “We got some help early in the game from our defense – they kept us in the game until we got our offense rolling in the second quarter.”
Strickland said he looks at every conference game as a must-win.
“We only get nine games overall and seven conference games, so we need to play with that sense of urgency,” he said.
Ashwaubenon got on the scoreboard first after a 13-play drive culminated with a 34-yard field goal from Izzy Kwaterski near the end of the opening quarter.
The Redbirds were set up nicely for their next drive after Gavin Jensky returned the ensuing kickoff 55 yards to the Jaguars’ 45-yard line.
Kicker Mason Bratonia ended the drive after he booted a 28-yard field goal early in the second quarter to tie the game, 3-3.
A Jonathen Moore interception set up De Pere’s next score.
Caden Schampers finished off the drive with a one-yard plunge.
After Bratonia’s extra point, the Redbirds led 10-3.
A bit later, Moore nabbed his second interception of the first half, nearly scoring in the process.
One play later, Dante Matta scored from two yards out to end the first half scoring at 17-3 after Bratonia’s extra point.
Matta picked off a pass on the ensuing Jaguars’ drive, which eventually led to a Bratonia field-goal attempt with time winding down, but his kick was blocked.
In the third quarter, Bratonia drilled a field goal from 35 yards out to make it 20-3, before wide receiver Sam Robb hauled in a 27-yard touchdown pass to end the scoring.
On Friday, Sept. 19, De Pere hosts Green Bay Preble, while Ashwaubenon travels to Bay Port.
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