West De Pere held off a late Bay Port rally to extend its unbeaten streak with a 33-27 win in the Fox River Classic Conference-North on Friday night in Suamico. The Phantoms led from the start and maintained control despite Bay Port’s attempts to close the gap in the fourth quarter.
West De Pere improved to 7-0 overall and 5-0 in the conference, while Bay Port dropped to 6-1 and 4-1 in league play. The game unfolded with West De Pere jumping out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter on a pair of touchdowns. Braylon Stegall caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Andrew Greisen, who completed 19 of 28 passes for 239 yards and two scores. Running back Kainan Strong added a one-yard touchdown run, finishing with 117 yards on 26 carries and two rushing touchdowns.
The Phantoms extended their lead in the second quarter with two field goals from Maverick Lor, one from 44 yards and another from 40 yards. Bay Port’s offense finally got on the board late in the half when Jackson Smith caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from Bray Babich, who threw for 211 yards and two touchdowns despite the loss. The half ended with West De Pere ahead 20-7.
West De Pere’s passing threat was on full display again in the third quarter as Greisen connected with Parker Diedrich for a 58-yard touchdown reception. Diedrich led the team with four catches for 120 yards. Bay Port responded with a 13-yard touchdown catch by Ethan Orlando from Babich, cutting the deficit to 27-14.
The fourth quarter saw Bay Port close in quickly. Jackson Otradovec broke free for a 52-yard touchdown run, and Owen Sartorelli caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Babich to bring Bay Port within six points at 33-27. The Phantoms failed on a two-point conversion after Strong’s 13-yard touchdown run earlier in the quarter. Bay Port also missed their two-point conversion attempts on their late touchdowns.
Bay Port’s leading receiver was Jackson Smith with 11 receptions for 165 yards, while Sartorelli had seven catches for 108 yards. On the ground, Smith also led Bay Port with 96 rushing yards on eight carries. West De Pere’s receiving corps included Darian Acevedo-Ortiz with four catches for 37 yards and Strong with four catches for 36 yards.
The game remained close until the final minutes, but West De Pere’s early lead and balanced attack held firm. Bay Port’s Bray Babich also contributed 17 completions on 30 attempts and was joined in the passing game by Braydon Maney, who went 7 of 11 for 148 yards.
Elsewhere in the Fox River Classic Conference, Green Bay Notre Dame routed Menasha 66-18 behind Kingston Allen’s 281 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Coleman blanked Shiocton 42-0, led by Wyatt Bieber’s 143 yards and three touchdowns. Marinette defeated Oconto Falls 27-6 with Kanon Maye and Conner Herring each scoring twice on the ground. Crivitz shut out Crandon 36-0, holding the home team to just 89 yards of total offense.
West De Pere’s victory keeps the Phantoms atop the Fox River Classic Conference-North standings as they aim to remain unbeaten through the remainder of the season.
According to Yahoo Sports.
