BHS ripe for a win after stubborn performance
By Pete Watson/News Republic
There's no doubt the Baraboo Thunderbirds football team is moving in the right direction following Friday's stunning second-half rally on the road against the Stoughton Vikings. Focus, execution, leadership, and determination nearly brought BHS back from a halftime deficit of 36-14, before falling 36-29. Now the team needs to start this week's game vs. DeForest the way it finished Friday's. The potential is there, the T-Birds proved that. Despite things not going well early for Baraboo, there were plenty of positive nuggets to unearth after the game. Well-received Senior Micah Kuchta stayed busy against Stoughton, catching 12 balls for 212 yards and a touchdown. Kuchta made his living on Friday on a three-yard hitch route and garnered most of his 212 yards after the catch. But some downfield blocking also helped pad the stats. During Kuchta's first-quarter, 27-yard touchdown reception, fellow senior Steven Lynch met him near the 20-yard line and a made a key block in the middle of the field that allowed his teammate to race down the right hashmarks untouched and into the endzone. Leading the way Like a snowplow clearing a Wisconsin road in trecherous conditions — the T-Birds leadership core is counted on to pave the way during adverse situations. BHS found they have have a deep and reliable one. "Taylor Jahn, Lynch, Kuchta and a couple others really felt the weight was on their shoulders to help get us back in the game," said BHS coach Scott Carr. "That's a pivotal point for a high school senior. What they do in those situation is important — whether they rise to the occasion or not. They and others stepped up and rose to it." Solid play Getting some high praise from coach Carr for their second half play were linebackers Lucas McGann and Joshua Baerwolf, and defensive back Lynch. "I thought Baerwolf played well in the 3-5 look and Steven Lynch had an absolute great game in the defnsive backfield," Carr said. "Lucas McGann played a terrific game and really stepped up as a senior at outside linebacker." Numbers crunch BHS had a tough week leading up to Stoughton, as two more players went down with injury. The squad usually suits nearly 35 players every Friday. Against Stoughton though that number was reduced to 25. Looking on the field during the teams pre-game walkthroughs, the Vikings brandished a line of reserve players that stretched over half the width of the field and numbered 23. Conversely, the Thunderbirds brandished just 10, but that included a pair of injured players on crutches and one water girl. Baraboo's impressive comeback despite the shortage of available players didn't go unnoticed on the opposite sideline. "Sean Stokes (Stoughton coach) complimented us on our gutty play, staying after it and the kid's never quit attitude," said Carr. Passing grade Junior quarterback Jake Banks is only getting better as the season progresses. Banks recorded a season-high 26 pass attempts, completing 16 of them for 251 yards and a pair of scores. With that performance, Banks is now No. 2 in the Badger North Conference for passing yards with 631. He trails Mount Horeb's Tim Holan by 14 yards. The junior's completion percentage through four weeks is near 55 percent (46-84). "With each play we are teaching that kid the game of football," said Carr. "The nice thing is he is picking it up. He's come a long way in the leadership approach and in understanding the game." Update The Waunakee Warriors stayed undefeated and atop the Badger North Conference last week. The squad took down Mount Horeb, 45-7, to improve to 4-0. Waunakee has outscored its opposition so far this year, 150-22.