L-C upends Wrightstown

LUXEMBURG – Dillon Maney challenged his team to step out of the pool and into the ocean this week.

The Luxemburg-Casco football team didn’t just take a step Friday. It made a splash.

The Spartans put together a dominating performance to hand Wrightstown its first loss of the season with a 21-0 shutout.

L-C outgained the Tigers 306-145 in yards of offense in a matchup of the last two North Eastern Conference champions.

“It was just a great team win, overall,” said Maney, whose squad had an 11-minute advantage in time of possession and didn’t commit a turnover.

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“We really challenged our (lines) because I thought that’s where the game was going to be won and lost. We knew Wrightstown had tough kids and watching them on film I knew they got off the ball hard, so we really challenged our offensive and defensive lines. I think they really responded tonight.”

The offensive line of sophomore Blake Yagodinski, junior Bryce Hanmann, senior Cole Erickson, sophomore Kyle Kroll and junior Zach Riemer didn’t allow a sack as senior Garrit Aissen completed 13 of 20 passes for 186 yards.

Aissen also rushed for 75 yards and a touchdown, while senior Nathan Coisman added two rushing touchdowns.

Senior Anthony Otradovec caught five passes for 64 yards. Senior Ian Doell made three receptions for 59 yards. Coisman added three receptions for 53 yards.

Junior Jeremy Van Zeeland rushed for a team-high 63 yards to lead the Tigers, who never got into rhythm in being shutout for the first time since 2016 at the hands of L-C.

After the Spartans took a 14-0 lead in the third quarter on an Aissen 11-yard touchdown run, Erickson forced and recovered a fumble on the ensuing Tigers’ drive for the game’s lone turnover.

“Our defensive line was just flying around,” Maney said. “Nathan Coisman and Wyatt Kruse were doing some phenomenal things. They weren’t able to move us off the ball and I think that was a big key.”

Senior Nathan Ronsman recorded a team-high 10 tackles, including eight solo and one tackle for loss to lead the L-C defense.

Kruse added nine stops, senior Austin Geldmeyer chipped in six tackles, and senior Colton Worachek made five tackles and tallied a sack for the Spartans.

Geldmeyer, a nose tackle, also saw some time in the offensive backfield, helping lead the way for Coisman on a 14-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

“We’ve been talking about finishing games because we haven’t been finishing in the fourth quarter,” Coisman said. “Tonight, it felt good to finally be able to finish.”

Wrightstown (7-1) will try to finish the regular season strong as it faces Little Chute with a chance to win a share of a second straight NEC title with a victory.

Meanwhile, L-C (6-2) will host Oconto Falls in its regular-season finale as it will look to build on the tidal wave of momentum it now has going into the WIAA playoffs.

“Tonight’s win was huge,” Aissen said. “Our team needed this. Now we have momentum going into the playoffs because this is a great win against a great football team.”