Bulldogs whitewash Wolves for Homecoming victory
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by Joel DeWitt
Sports Correspondent
BOYCEVILLE – Hoping to rebound from a disappointing loss the week before, the Boyceville Bulldogs hosted second-place Elmwood/Plum City October 1st for their annual Homecoming game.
As the calendar flips to another month, the urgency increases as wins become more crucial to secure a playoff spot.
That urgency was on full display for Boyceville on Friday evening as they controlled both sides of the ball on the way to a convincing 28-0 victory over the Wolves.
“I thought our defense really brought it tonight,” Boyceville head coach Michael Roemhild said. “They listened to what we preached all week and made some slight adjustments that really took away EPC’s run game.”
The stingy defense allowed only 91 total yards on the evening, which included a negative eight yards in the passing category.
“I thought up front, Peyton Ponath, Paul Kurschner, and John Klefstad probably played the best game of the year in terms of our middle three,” commented Roemhild on his defensive line’s performance.
He continued, “Tyler and Mason did great on the edge and our linebackers, corners, and safeties were flying around making plays.”
Of the 91 yards that Elmwood/Plum City gained on the evening, 44 yards of it would come on the Wolves first possession of the game. However, an interception by Caden Wold on fourth and long ended that drive.
Along with the fine defensive performance, the Boyceville rushing attack came through in a big way. As a team, the Bulldogs had 353 total yards, 339 of them on the ground.
“I thought our running backs were great. Tyler, Bash, Braden, Nick, and Jacob ran the ball hard all night keeping EPC on their toes,” mentioned Roemhild. “Our line really blocked well and took away their middle linebacker from flying around.”
The Boyceville ground game was on full display from the start. Big runs by Braden Roemhild and Bash Nielson of 14 and 21 yards, respectively, would put the Bulldogs in great position. Nielson would finish the drive by pushing the ball across the goal line from one yard out to give Boyceville the lead. Nick Olson’s two-point rushing attempt would be good for the early 8-0 lead.
On the next possession, Elmwood/Plum City quarterback Luke Webb would once again turn the ball over. This time it would be John Klefstad who would intercept the pass and return it to his own 40-yard line.
While Boyceville couldn’t convert on that opportunity, the defense would once again come up big. The Wolves’ Luke Webb would fumble the ball on his own 17-yard line and Nielson would recover to put his Bulldogs in prime position to score.
Three plays later Boyceville quarterback Ira Bialzik would call his own number and take it across from one yard out. The rushing PAT by Nielson would put Boyceville up 16-0 at the 5:21 mark of the second quarter.
The third quarter would see both defenses stiffen up and challenge the offenses. However, late in the quarter the Bulldog offense would once again assert themselves. After Elmwood/Plum City would fail on fourth and nine from the Boyceville 11-yard line, the Bulldogs would once again go to the ground to get things working.
Tyler Dormanen would do the heavy lifting on this drive. He’d have carries for 47 and 31 yards to put Boyceville at first and goal on the 10-yard line. Consecutive runs by Nielson of nine and one yards, the latter for a touchdown, would put Boyceville up 22-0 with 10:38 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Bulldog defense would once again hold the Wolves to a three and out. After the punt, Boyceville would see themselves at their own 32-yard line. However, as was par for the evening, it was no big deal for this potent Boyceville rushing attack.
Boyceville would use seven consecutive rushes to score their fourth and final touchdown on the evening to put them up 28-0. The drive was highlighted by a 29-yard gain by Neilson to put the Bulldogs on the Wolves 10-yard line. Dormanen would cap the drive with the score from three yards out.
“Well, we bounced back after a tough loss last week, and I knew these guys would,” said Roemhild. “It was Homecoming and one of the largest crowds I have seen in a long time.”
The large crowd was rewarded with a fine offensive performance, especially in the run game. Dormanen, Nielson, Roemhild, and Olson all notched over 50 yards rushing, with Dormanen leading the way with 124 yards on only eight carries.
As for crowds and big games, Boyceville will host it biggest rival in Glenwood City next week.
“Next week is our cross-town rival GC. They are a very fast and athletic team,” Roemhild commented on Glenwood City.
He continued, “You can throw records and stats aside when it comes to this game. Neither team is going down without a fight.”
Kickoff for the rivalry game is set at 7:00 pm this Friday, October 8th.