Gibraltar upends N.E.W. Lutheran

GREEN BAY – The Gibraltar football team needed this one.

A 22-point effort in the second half propelled the Vikings to a 28-6 victory at N.E.W. Lutheran Saturday in an MONLPC 8-player game.

The win not only ended a five-game losing streak to the Blazers, but helped Gibraltar get on track following an unusual start to its season.

The Vikings picked up a forfeit win in their season opener scheduled for Aug. 17 after Oneida Nation opted to cancel the game.

Prior to that, Gibraltar saw a head-coaching change at the beginning of preseason practices when Scott Biemeret resigned after accepting a new teaching position in the Southern Door School District.

The Vikings fell behind early against N.E.W. Lutheran before finding their footing and some big plays through the air.

Trevor Reinhardt threw for 252 yards and four touchdowns, including three to Alex Laughlin, who finished with 206 receiving yards and 87 rushing yards.

It was Gibraltar’s first victory over the Blazers since making the transition to the 8-player game in 2013. Its last win against N.E.W. Lutheran came on Oct. 7, 2011 in an 11-player game.

“They’ve been the thorn in our side for probably the last five or six years,” Gibraltar interim head coach Jim Laughlin said. “We’ve had some good teams, but it seems like every time we run into N.E.W., we just can’t seem to get it done. So, to come out here early in the season, first win, and get it done is a pretty big deal. It’s a big boost for our program.”

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The Blazers got off to a fast start with Luke Bukowski scoring on a 52-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and then coming up with an interception on the ensuing Gibraltar drive.

Bukowski finished a team-high 145 rushing yards. It came a week after the senior rushed for three touchdowns and caught another in a 36-34 overtime loss at Gillett.

“My quarterback is a rocket because he just gives everything,” N.E.W. Lutheran coach Dick Hasseler said.

“The effort was there. They’ll bounce back and play hard and keep going.”