Oregon's big-play ability, coupled with a pair of momentum-stopping mistakes by the Baraboo High School football team, led to a 42-12 non-conference setback at home on Friday.
"Field position and turnovers hurt us, and you can't have that," said BHS coach Scott Carr. "We're digging ourselves holes and we can't do that and we shouldn't be."
The Thunderbirds were marred by five turnovers in the game, including one near the end of the first half that killed a five-play drive and led to the Panthers' third touchdown of the game and 21-0 lead.
Baraboo did bounce back and got on the board with 1:21 remaining in the half, as quarterback Jake Banks found his fullback Dylan Luther sneaking out of the backfield for a five-yard touchdown pass to cap a 10-play, 58-yard march. BHS missed the PAT and went into halftime trailing 21-6.
Whatever momentum the T-Birds flew into halftime with was grounded immediately out of the locker room. Oregon speedster, Matt Knipfer, who finished with 210 yards rushing, broke free for an 80-yard kick return to put the visitors back up by three scores, 28-6.
"That really hurt us and what we had done near the end of the first half," said Carr.
The Panthers outgained the Thunderbirds 339-237 in the game, keeping the BHS defense off-balance with play-action fakes, mixed with the option and runs between the tackles.
"We were defending the option more than we were defending their base run plays, which included their counter plays," said Carr. "Defensively, we were thin number-wise and we missed tackles, which didn't help us."
The T-Birds found the end zone one more time in the second half, displaying their offensive potential by sustaining a long drive. A five-yard trap play for six by Jordan Leonhardt, who paced the T-Birds on the ground with 24 carries for 105 yards, put the finishing touches on a 15-play, 68-yard drive.
"It's nice to get that out of (Leonhardt)," said Carr. "He's wanted the ball and wanted it since we've started this year, and I'm pleased with that.
"We need to simplify some things — maybe pound the ball some more and control the clock — especially the way we're playing defensively so far."
Despite the 0-2 start on the season, Carr is confident they'll be ready next week as Badger North Conference foe Mount Horeb comes into town for a Friday game.
"I'm proud of our kids; they play hard," said Carr. "They never quit."
Oregon 42, Baraboo 12
Total yards
Oregon 332, Baraboo 237
Turnovers
Oregon 2, Baraboo 5
Oregon
Passing
Adam Nelson 4-9-83,
Rushing
Matt Knipfer 19-210, 3TD
Chuck Hohnbaum 3-7
Brandon Arndt 3-2
Adam Nelson 4-37, 2TD
Receiving
Alex McCauley 1-29
Joe Stetzer 1-24
Brian Ironmonger 1-16, TD
Weston Matthews 1-14
Baraboo
Passing
Jake Banks 6-17-57
Rushing
Kevin Green 16-59
Jordan Leonhardt 24-105, TD
Jake Banks 4-18
Receiving
Steven Lynch 1-10
Mark Kowalke 2-8
Micah Kuchta 2-20
Dylan Luther 1-5, TD
