Campbellsport Football Defeats Kewaskum 18-14 in Final Minute

On August 29, the Campbellsport and Kewaskum football teams squared off in their annual rivalry game for the Kettle Moraine trophy at Kewaskum High School.
Campbellsport (1-1) and Kewaskum (0-2) traded punts on the first respective offensive drives of the game, before quarterback Eli Ogi threw a beautiful, deep pass over the Cougars’ defense into the hands of Jace Wichtoski for a 58-yard touchdown to give the Indians a 7-0 lead over Campbellsport with 7:11 on the first quarter clock.
Pierce Kaehne responded for the Cougars with a 58-yard kickoff return on an ensuing kickoff to give Campbellsport the ball at the Kewaskum 30-yard line, but the Cougars turned the ball over on fourth down, giving the ball back to the Indians.
“It was nice to get off to a good start, Eli and Jace are very talented players,” said Kewaskum Head Coach Jeff Rondorf. “I feel anytime those two hook up, there is a chance we can score.”

Kewaskum made one first down on their next drive, which was earned by Kingston Grisolono after receiving the ball from Ogi and reversing his field about 15 yards behind the scrimmage, which allowed him to gain six yards for the first down.
The two teams were at a standstill in an early defensive battle when Kewaskum stopped a Campbellsport drive with a fumble recovery by Easton Derge, giving the ball back to the Indians at their own 36-yard line.
Campbellsport’s defense rose up wth a fourth-down stop to get the ball back to their offense at their 37-yard line.
The Cougars converted two fourth downs on the drive, capped off by a Jackson Straub 30-yard passing touchdown to Kaehne, who hauled in the pass after it was tipped in the air and strolled into the end zone, putting the score at 7-6 with less than one minute left in the half.
Kewaskum’s opening kickoff of the second half bounced off a Cougar and was recovered by the Indians, which gave the Indians an unexpected offensive possession to start the second half.
The Indians got a big passing play from Ogi to Grisolono for 36 yards, which set up Kewaskum within the Campbellsport 20-yard line.
“Kingston ran the ball well and fought all game for the extra yards,” said Rondorf. “He is a talented athlete and I expect him to have a great season.”
Ogi hit Wichtoski for their second touchdown passing connection on the day with a 15-yard touchdown to give Kewaskum a 14-6 lead with seven minutes left in the third quarter.
“Eli did have a good game statistically, but what I was especially happy with was how he kept his composure throughout the game,” said Rondorf.
Campbellsport was facing a third down when Straub found a streaking Kaehne down the left sideline, who outraced the defense for a big, 74-yard touchdown for their second touchdown of the day to put the score at 14-12 in favor of the Indians with 5:40 on the third-quarter clock.
“Pierce has stepped into a bigger role this season in multiple places and is making it pay off so far,” said Campbellsport Head Coach Todd Wondra.
The two rivals punted before Kewaskum fumbled the ball at the Campbellsport 41-yard line, recovered by Keegan Sabish for the Cougars.
The Cougars fumbled on their second offensive play, which was recovered by the Indians’ Chase Heinonen at the Campbellsport 43-yard line.
“Our defense played well against a good Campbellsport offense, which usually doesn’t turn the ball over,” said Rondorf. “Getting those two turnovers was a credit to how good our defense is.”
Kewaskum converted a key third down on their drive when Ogi was originally stuffed at the line of scrimmage, but burst down the sideline for an 18-yard run, with the Indians looking to add to their lead in the fourth quarter.
The Indians fumbled the ball, and Carter Gellings recovered the bouncing ball off the turf for Campbellsport at their 20-yard line.
“We knew we were going to have to lean on our defense early in the year, and that group is hungry and wants to keep pushing to get better every game,” said Wondra.
Campbellsport proceeded to go on an epic 22-play and 80-yard drive in the fourth quarter, with many key moments, with running back Chris Taddey converting two third-down rushes to get the ball to midfield.
Straub converted a fourth-down pass to Trent Schladweiler for nine yards to keep the drive for the Cougars.
Carter Gellings made a tough run to keep the drive alive on another fourth-down play for Campbellsport on the 17th play of the drive, with the ball resting at the 13-yard line with the fourth-quarter clock ticking down.
Campbellsport got a Straub five-yard scramble on third down to get the ball first and goal from the one-yard line.
Kewaskum stuffed the Cougars on first down, but Blake Heltemes broke into the end zone for a one-yard touchdown for Campbellsport to finish off the 22-play drive and giving the Cougars an 18-14 lead with 26.7 seconds left in the game.
“The last drive was huge as we used almost the entire fourth quarter, and we told the kids at the end of the third quarter, we needed to put together a long, time-consuming drive, and they responded,” said Wondra. “Everyone stepped it up just a little bit there, and we were able to capitalize on it and take the lead for good.”
The Indians got the ball back with the opportunity to attempt to win the game with Ogi starting the drive with a 15-yard completion.
The dreams of the comeback were ended on the next play when a deep pass from Ogi was intercepted by Gellings to give Campbellsport the 18-14 win to retain the Kettle Moraine trophy for another year.
“It was a good win in that rivalry game, with the kids fighting and working hard all night,” said Wondra. “We know when those teams get together, nothing will come easy, and you’re going to know it after all is said and done.”
“Our staff is extremely happy with this group for their never-quit attitude,” said Wondra.
Campbellsport will travel to Lomira on September 5 at 7 p.m. to start their conference season schedule.
Kewaskum will host Edgewood on September 5 at 7 p.m. to begin their conference schedule.

Game Summary

Friday, August 29
Campbellsport 6-0-6-6 18
Kewaskum 7-0-7-0 14
Final

First Quarter

Kewaskum: Eli Ogi to Jace Wichtoski 58-yard passing touchdown (XP Good) 7:11 Kewaskum 7-0
Campbellsport: Jackson Straub to Pierce Kaehne 30-yard passing touchdown (XP blocked) 1:00 Kewaskum 7-6
Third Quarter
Kewaskum: Eli Ogi to Jace Wichtoski 15-yard passing touchdown (XP Good) 7:01 Kewaskum 14-6
Campbellsport: Jackson Straub to Pierce Kaehne 74-yard passing touchdown (2pt failed) 5:40 Kewaskum 14-12
Fourth Quarter
Campbellsport: Blake Heltemes 1-yard rushing touchdown (2pt failed) 26.7 Campbellsport 18-14

Team Stats
Campbellsport: Total Yards: 243 Passing: 6-16-146-2-0 Rushing: 39-97-1
Kewaskum: Total Yards: 276 Passing 10-22-175-2-1 Rushing: 33-101

Individual Stats
Campbellsport
Passing: Jackson Straub 6-16-146-2-0
Rushing: Chris Taddey 16-52. Jackson Straub 6-27. Carter Gellings 7-20. Trent Schladweiler 2-3. Blake Heltemes 4-1-1 Pierce Kaehne 4-(-6)
Receiving: Pierce Kaehne 2-104-2. Zach Zimdahl 2-19.. Cullen Reis 1-14. Trent Schladweiler 1-9
Tackles: Blake Heltmes 9.5. Carter Gellings 7. Levi Bentz 7. Zach Zimdahl 5
TFL: Keagan Sabish 1. Zach Zimdahl 1
Int: Carter Gellings 1
FR: Carter Gellings 1. Keagan Sabish 1

Kewaskum
Passing: Eli Ogi 10-21-175-2-1. Kingston Grisolono 0-1-0-0-0
Rushing: Kingston Grisolono 22-75. Eli Ogi 7-17.. Gavin Madel 3-7. Evan Soyk 1-3
Receiving: Jace Wichtoski 4-88-2. Kingston Grisolono 4-57. Levi Whitfield 1-15. Johnny Hooker 1-15.
Tackles: Gabriel Halopka 12. Levi Whitfield 6.5. Evan Soyk 6
TFL: Gabriel Halopka 4. Easton Derge 2.5. Parker Gruen 2. Evan Soyk 1
FR: Easton Derge 1. Chase Heinonen 1