October 15, 2021 – Kewaskum, WI – Two playoff teams get ready for one final test, against each other in the final week of the 2021 football season. Kewaskum (6-2, 4-2) is also looking to avenge themselves for last season, where in Port Washington’s first season playing football in the East Central Conference, the Pirates got its only win of the 2020 season at the Indians expense, 35-21.
The Pirates (5-3, 4-2) are enjoying their best season as a football program since 2008, which was the last time the school finished a season with a record better than .500. That season, the Pirates went 8-4, and 5-2 in (North Shore) conference play, only to fall in that year’s playoffs to ironically, Kewaskum 33-15.
Kewaskum also eliminated Port Washington from the playoffs in 2016, a year where the Pirates lost to the Indians in the regular season too. So, while it’s not likely they will face each in the first round of the playoffs, this game definitely carries significant weight if for no other reason than momentum for each team as the WIAA playoffs draw near.
Kewaskum enters this game after a through 54-0 shutout win against Waupun last week, while Port Washington was stunned in their last game at home by Kettle Moraine Lutheran in a 16-11 loss.
The Indians enter with an offense that has most total points scored this season in the East Central Conference with 275, just a handful more than the undefeated Plymouth who has 269. This can be attributed, in part to the Indians fast and efficient starts in the first half of play, putting up a total of 176 points in the two quarters of games across the season.
Combine that with an offense powered by a senior triple threat of quarterback Matthew Buechel (third best passer in the conference with 929 passing yards, 9 touchdowns and a 59.2 % completion), running back Max Melzer (second best runner in the conference with 833 rushing yards, 104.1 rush yards per game, and 11 of the team’s 23 rushing touchdowns), and receiver Benjamin Butler (second best receiver in the conference with 25 catches for 426 receiving yards and conference best 5 receiving touchdowns), and the Indians provide a tough challenge for even the stoutest defenses.
Speaking of stout defenses, the Indians have one of the best in the East Central Conference, especially when it comes to generating turnovers, with 4 fumble recoveries and 14 interceptions, the latter stat tied for first overall in the conference.
The Pirates have had great overall team success, however, no one aspect or players on their have stood out more than others this season, with the possible exceptions of junior quarterback Nate Uselding who has a 61.5 % pass completion rate, 1,094 passing yards, with 10 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions (all second best in the conference), and his top receiver, senior Patrick Lippe who has a conference leading 39 receptions for 511 receiving yards (best in the conference) and 4 touchdown receptions (second best in the conference).
Defensively, the Pirates are also good at forcing turnovers and getting sacks, but even then, they are still near the bottom of the East Central Conference in those categories. The Pirates will need to up their game in those areas to achieve a deep playoff run, starting with this game against Kewaskum.
The game will take place in Port Washington on Friday, October 15, 2021 with a 7 p.m. kickoff.
