MILTON Massive defensive stops and a botched hold on an extra point proved crucial in what was a 7-6 victory for the Milton football team on Friday night against DeForest.
On a night that put a bow on Miltons Homecoming week, the Red Hawks (3-3, 3-1 Badger Large) came up with countless stops on defense. Pair that with Milton kicker Owen Fisher converting on what proved to be a game-deciding extra point on an early touchdown, and the Red Hawks walked off of the field with their third-straight win of the season.
When we fight, and we play together, and we stay together, we win games like this one, Milton head coach Jeff Spiwak said after the teams win. We got really banged up with a ton of injuries, so it became next man up. A game like that youve gotta make some pretty big plays in some crucial situations, and the kids stepped up tonight.
Milton came out and made a statement on the opening two possessions of the game, carrying the same momentum they had from a week ago against Oregon.
The Red Hawks started the night off by forcing an early punt out of the Norskies. Milton followed it up by driving down the field on a clinical opening drive.
Running back Brayden Dopkins ripped off several solid runs, and quarterback Brice Remington finished the drive a perfect 4 for 4 passing including connecting with Caden Pernot from 15 yards out for the games opening touchdown.
Just under nine minutes into the game, everything was coming up Milton.
The Red Hawks forced a three-and-out the following drive, giving the offense an opportunity to blow the game wide open. Remington then made a major miscue by throwing an interception to DeForests Baylor Skolaski, giving the Norskies the ball on Miltons 25.
DeForest drove down and found their answer at the 1:40 mark of the opening quarter with fullback Nolan Kemp pounding forward from the two-yard line for a rushing TD.
A botched hold proved to be Miltons saving grace, though, as DeForest failed to convert on their point after attempt to keep Milton in front 7-6.
Both offenses were then stalled out for the remainder of the half.
Milton had a solid opportunity to build on their lead before the half when a lengthy run by Dopkins set the Red Hawks up with first and goal from the nine. However, Dopkins went down injured on the play, effectively ending his night.
The Red Hawks only went backwards on the ensuing plays, keeping their narrow lead at 7-6 heading into halftime.
Following Homecoming halftime festivities that included the Milton band performing and Homecoming court being introduced, a massive kickoff return by Pernot set the Red Hawks up on DeForests side of the 50 to begin the second half.
Milton worked its way into the Norskies red zone once again, but a missed field goal try by Owen Fisher from 26 yards out kept the score unchanged.
Both teams proceeded to trade punts and fourth down stops, with both defenses bending but never breaking. Most importantly for Milton, as the time continued to tick down, the Red Hawks maintained their one-point advantage.
DeForest had one-last gasp in the game, getting the ball on their own 24 for a final drive with around three minutes remaining.
The Norskies eventually reached midfield, but were faced with a game-deciding fourth and five. DeForests quarterback Tru Killerlain ran a play action bootleg, attempting to find the edge to turn up field for what wouldve been a first down.
However, the outstretched hand of an unblocked Christopher Knutson caught the foot of Killerlain, forcing the QB to stumble and eventually fall for a loss for five on the play.
Knutsons massive TFL, alongside countless other plays by the rest of the Milton defense, had won Milton the game.
Nobody blocked me, I just saw he was on a bootleg and made the play, Knutson said after the game. They were really pounding the rock, but we kept stopping them. They could get inside of our red zone, but then wed stop them once they were there.
As a whole, Milton ended up out-gaining DeForest with 267 total yards of offense compared to their 168. Additionally, the only touchdown allowed by the Red Hawk defense came on a shortened field following an interception.
Brice Remington, despite his early INT, still threw for 145 yards and a touchdown on a 12 for 24 clip. Pernot was Remingtons favorite receiver on the night, going for five catches, 53 yards and a score.
Dopkins, prior to going down with his injury in the second quarter, was one pace for yet another monster stat line. His night ended with 16 carries for 87 yards (5.4 yards/carry) in just under two quarters of action.
Milton now closes out a three-week homestand next Friday, October 2, by welcoming Sun Prairie East (3-3, 2-2 Badger Large) to Jerry Schliem Stadium for a Badger Large Conference matchup. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
Were excited. I mean, anytime you play a team like Sun Prairie East, or even a team like DeForest, our schedule is just loaded. Theres no cupcakes. Its just one more challenge, Spiwak said.
We might have some injuries, we might have some different things going on, but were going to have to step up and rise to that challenge.MILTON 7, DEFOREST 6
DeForest 6 0 0 0
Milton 7 0 0 0
FIRST QUARTER
M Caden Pernot 15-yd pass by Brice Remington (Fisher kick good).
D Nolan Kemp 2-yd run (Schaus kick no good).