Nekoosa Turning Point
(10.02.09)-- With the Wisconsin Dells Chiefs offense and passing game struggling throughout the teams opening five games (especially inside of the red zone) they faced a fantastic opportunity on their first offensive series of the game.
Following Jordan Hinzes opening kick return out near midfield, the Chiefs caught a huge break when Alex Yackos fumble harmlessly rolled out of Gair Waltas hands and then out of bounds.
A roughing the passer call then turned a short Ryan Stroede pass play into a 20-yard gain as the Chiefs were camped at the Nekoosa 25-yard line. Three Yacko runs later and the Chiefs sat first-and-10 at the Papermakers 13-yard line.
With Nekoosas right side of their defense eating up Josh Elftmann and Kit Conrad, Yacko was met in the Chiefs backfield on first down. A roll out and incomplete pass to a wide-open Elftmann on second down, then made it third-and-11 for the Chiefs.
Sophomore Cody Buss then went in motion on third down and cut up field before the snap, drawing the yellow flag. Nekoosa waved off Buss error as Ben Tenpas came through the Chiefs strong side and stuffed Yacko for another two-yard loss.
An easy call for offensive coordinator Jeff Buss, Wisconsin Dells went for it on 4th-and-14.
Rolling out towards the weak side, junior quarterback Skylar Liebzeit came under heavy backside pressure from Derek Martinson who came in untouched between Conrad and Elftmann. Liebzeits floated pass towards the end zone was picked off by sophomore Austin Kukulka who returned it to the 32 for the turning point of the game.
The Papermakers then put together an eight-play touchdown drive to go up 6-0. They then pushed that to a 9-0 lead by the half. The Chiefs would make it a 9-6 game before the third quarter ended. Then late in the fourth quarter (on their final drive) the Chiefs faced a first-and-goal at Nekoosas eight-yard line.
A holding penalty on Elftmann and another motion penalty on Buss would wipe out that scoring chance as the Chiefs lost the game and ultimately the South Central Conference title, 9-6 as Nekoosa finished SCC play 5-0 with the Chiefs going 4-1.
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