October 15, 2021 – Port Washington, WI – It was the first true fall weather game this season as people’s breath hung in the air, fans were wrapped in blankets in the stands and players from Kewaskum and Port Washington both wore long sleeves.
The game may not have mattered to either team in regards to making the WIAA playoffs, but they were both determined to gain momentum before their respective first-round regional matches next week.
Port Washington got off to a quick start as junior quarterback Nate Uselding scored off a one-yard run just three minutes into the game. The first of many unfortunate miscues for the Indians occurred on the next drive, as sure-handed senior running back Max Melzer fumbled a handoff by senior quarterback Matthew Buechel, which was recovered by the Pirates.
Using the short field following the fumble, the Pirates scored again, this time a one-yard touchdown run from senior Brady Fleischmann, just 80 seconds after their first touchdown.
The scoring stopped for a while as both teams traded blows, but Port Washington would score again with 10:08 left in the second quarter when Uselding threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to junior Matt Esselmann.
Esselmann would end the Indians next possession a mere 30 seconds later with an interception, which led to a massive 96-yard drive by the Pirates and capped off with Uselding throwing an 8-yard touchdown pass to senior Michael Bunyan.
Despite being down by 28 with just 3:19 left in the first half, the Indians rallied and managed to sustain an offensive drive concluding with Buechel throwing a 20-yard touchdown to Melzer making it 28-7 Port Washington at halftime.
Both offenses struggled to begin the second half, but with 5:15 left the third quarter, Port Washington broke through for their final score when Fleischmann scored off a two-yard run, although the Pirates missed the extra point.
The offensive stalemate would resume after that until Esselmann intercepted another Kewaskum pass with just 4:50 left to play in fourth quarter.
Port did not capitalize thus giving Kewaskum one last chance to score a touchdown out of pride. The Indians would do just that, as junior quarterback Ryan Cook scored off an 8-yard touchdown run, followed by a failed two-point conversion and leaving just :06 on the game clock. The final score was 34-13 in favor of the Pirates.
Port Washington finishes the regular season 6-3 overall record with a 5-2 conference record. Kewaskum finishes the regular season with a 6-3 overall record and a 4-3 conference record.
The WIAA Football Playoffs beginFriday, October 22, 2021.