Waupaca's last-second effort comes up short against Foxes
Fox Valley Lutheran's football team hadn't defeated Waupaca since an overtime playoff win over the Comets in 2001.
The Comets' streak of nine straight wins over the Foxes since then ended Friday, Sept. 30, with a 21-20 loss at FVL.
Waupaca overcame a 21-7 deficit in the second half, but had chances to win or at least tie the game late.
"It's a disappointing way to come off of a great win (over Appleton Xavier)," coach John Koronkiewicz said.
The Foxes took a 14-7 halftime lead on a pair of Austin Eisenmann touchdown passes. He connected with Mitch Skarban for a 24-yarder and tossed a 20-yarder to Jake Igel. Waupaca Aaron Gooch cut the deficit to one score late in the first half by picking off an Eisenmann pass and returning it 32 yards.
The FVL defense held the Comet offense to only one first down in the first half.
"They took away our run game, which quite frankly is our strength," Koronkiewicz said.
Eisenmann hooked up with Kalvin Baena for a 48-yard TD in the third quarter, but the Comets answered with Sam Menzies' 2-yard run.
Menzies scored again from 4 yards out with 1:17 remaining in the game. Waupaca decided to go for two to take the lead, but Menzies was stopped less than a yard from the goal line.
"Our regular long snapper took a shot to the lead and was not able to go, so we had our backup center out there," Koronkiewicz said. "We were within a yard of maybe winning the game."
The Comets recovered their onside kick to get the ball back, but the Foxes were able to partially block Bjorn Asher's field goal attempt as time expired.
"We scored in the final minute and gave ourselves a chance," Koronkiewicz said. "That's all you can ask. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't This was just one of those times where it didn't work out for us."
The Foxes outgained the Comets 262-229. Waupaca had a 143-118 advantage on the ground, but Eisenmann threw for 144 yards and the FVL defense held Menzies to 86.
"They have some playmakers that they can get to down the field," Koronkiewicz said. "I think that was a difference."
Waupaca will host winless Ripon at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7.
"We get to go back home," Koronkiewicz said. "It's Parents' Night and that's an important night for us. It may be the last time our team ever walks out on Haberkorn Field."
Waupaca fell to 5-1 in the EVC and 5-2 overall, while FVL is now 4-3 in league play and 4-3 overall. The Foxes also qualified for the state playoffs with the win, while the Comets made the playoffs with their win over Xavier.
"We're still in position for a conference championship," Koronkiewicz said. "No one's going to give us anything."
The Comets' streak of nine straight wins over the Foxes since then ended Friday, Sept. 30, with a 21-20 loss at FVL.
Waupaca overcame a 21-7 deficit in the second half, but had chances to win or at least tie the game late.
"It's a disappointing way to come off of a great win (over Appleton Xavier)," coach John Koronkiewicz said.
The Foxes took a 14-7 halftime lead on a pair of Austin Eisenmann touchdown passes. He connected with Mitch Skarban for a 24-yarder and tossed a 20-yarder to Jake Igel. Waupaca Aaron Gooch cut the deficit to one score late in the first half by picking off an Eisenmann pass and returning it 32 yards.
The FVL defense held the Comet offense to only one first down in the first half.
"They took away our run game, which quite frankly is our strength," Koronkiewicz said.
Eisenmann hooked up with Kalvin Baena for a 48-yard TD in the third quarter, but the Comets answered with Sam Menzies' 2-yard run.
Menzies scored again from 4 yards out with 1:17 remaining in the game. Waupaca decided to go for two to take the lead, but Menzies was stopped less than a yard from the goal line.
"Our regular long snapper took a shot to the lead and was not able to go, so we had our backup center out there," Koronkiewicz said. "We were within a yard of maybe winning the game."
The Comets recovered their onside kick to get the ball back, but the Foxes were able to partially block Bjorn Asher's field goal attempt as time expired.
"We scored in the final minute and gave ourselves a chance," Koronkiewicz said. "That's all you can ask. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't This was just one of those times where it didn't work out for us."
The Foxes outgained the Comets 262-229. Waupaca had a 143-118 advantage on the ground, but Eisenmann threw for 144 yards and the FVL defense held Menzies to 86.
"They have some playmakers that they can get to down the field," Koronkiewicz said. "I think that was a difference."
Waupaca will host winless Ripon at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7.
"We get to go back home," Koronkiewicz said. "It's Parents' Night and that's an important night for us. It may be the last time our team ever walks out on Haberkorn Field."
Waupaca fell to 5-1 in the EVC and 5-2 overall, while FVL is now 4-3 in league play and 4-3 overall. The Foxes also qualified for the state playoffs with the win, while the Comets made the playoffs with their win over Xavier.
"We're still in position for a conference championship," Koronkiewicz said. "No one's going to give us anything."
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