High School Football!

Is there anything more American than high school football? I think not. I had the chance to see the 2004 State Champion (Conference 3 of 7) Wisconsin Lutheran Vikings face off against the Hartford H.S. Orioles. The home team Vikings are in blue.

This was supposedly a major game between two "undefeated" teams (both teams had lost a couple of games, but I guess we don't count those) with major conference implications. You could cut the tension in the air with a knife.

Last season, the Vikings outscored their opponents 556-99 on the way to a 14-0 season and the Division 3 title, so I was expecting a lot.


It was Homecoming Sunday, complete with a King, a Queen, and a court sitting on a couch on the field.


They even had jolly refs!


They had cute cheerleaders!


They had a huge marching band!


They even had football players! Awesome. The Vikings were lead by Senior QB Jarod Ferch, who checked in at 6'1" and 185 lbs. Ferch would have a good game, getting some throws beyond the Orioles safeties and running a pretty good option.


Ferch got the Vikings off to an early start that got the fans (above) into the game and a lead that Wisconsin Lutheran would never lose. I was also impressed with the play of senior WR/DB Tony Filter, who Ferch looked to when he was in single man coverage.


The Hartford Orioles fans though were not amused.


The Orioles had a good ground game, and scored near the end of the first half. Their poor special teams play and lapses on defense spelled their doom.


The Orioles best pass of the day came from #44 though, who hit on the ball girls on the sideline as his team was marching down the field. I don't blame the kid, as he had more of a chance to score off the field than on it.


The halftime show was impressive. They had Wisconsin Lutheran dancers, cheerleaders, a band, and a junior football team.


The cheerleaders showed off their power of levitation.


The Wisconsin Lutheran fans were happy with the halftime lead, as well as the entertainment.


The Hartford Orioles would fight back in the second half, spreading the field with screen plays which helped their inside running game. Junior DB Zach Burczyk did a good job on the outside to make sure this play did not break one. (I couldn't find a roster for the Orioles, so I apologize for not mentioning their individual good plays). I think their QB is Zach Christopherson, who on one play evaded tacklers, left the pocket, and gunned one into the end zone on a fourth down play.


Good offensive line work, as well as the threat of sophomore RB/DE Chris Echols (#32 ) helped the Vikings grind the clock with an option attack.


Little things killed the Orioles, like two blocked extra points and Vikings WRs getting past Hartford safeties.


The Vikings would beat the Orioles 41-28, and they would run out the clock with the big boys on the line.


Orioles fans left dejected...


...while Vikings fans could wear their red, white, and blue proudly.


Things just didn't happen for the Orioles.

As their website put it:

The Hartford Orioles are certainly sick of getting close this season. Again Hartford faced a ranked opponent and again was in a position to take the came into their own hands. Unfortunately, it was mistakes that again proved to be Hartford's downfall as they fell to defending champion Wisconsin Lutheran 41-28. The Orioles proved themselves as one of the most potent offenses in the area moving up and down the field at will on Wisco. Aaron Rusch had another phenomenal game proving himself as one of the premier receiving threats in the state of Wisconsin. The Hartford ground attack was just as potent as the Oriole offensive line, which has continued to grow stronger with each week, controlled the line of scrimmage. A key 4th down penalty for Hartford as well as some defensive and special teams lapses allowed Wisconsin to capitalize for some big plays that proved to be the difference in this one. The loss puts the Vikings in the driver's seat for the WLT Title. Hartford comes back to Gib Mahr field next weekend for homecoming against West Bend West where they look to get back on track as they make a final push for the playoffs.

It was a great time. There was such a spirit in the stadium, and it was unlike anything I had growing up in a New York City public no good sports high school.

America rocks!

RELATED LINKS:
Wisconsin Lutheran Vikings 2005 Roster


Wisconsin Lutheran High School info

RELATED LINKS:
America's Treasures

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