Getting better each and every week

Sure, the win column still reads zero. But Sauk Prairie football coach Clay Iverson believes he has a team of winners. Lake Mills defeated the Eagles, 22-13, last Friday as Sauk Prairie fell to 0-6 in this truncated season. The nine-point deficit, though, was the closest the Eagles had been all season as Sauk Prairie continues to show improvement and growth. “I think we are just getting better overall,” Iverson said. “Our offensive line has come a long way, even though we never really have had the same five week to week. As a group they have developed and allowed us to be more productive on offense.  “On defense we are communicating and tackling better. We have become more physical in everything we do and that has led to us improving week to week.” That improvement was certainly on display against a solid Lake Mills team (4-2) that has one of the top quarterbacks in the area in Adam Moen. Moen threw an early 16-yard touchdown pass to Grant Horkan as the L-Cats took a 7-0 lead. Sauk Prairie’s Owen Diehl had an 8-yard TD run in the second quarter, though, as the Eagles pulled within 7-6. Charlie Cassidy had a 7-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, and after a successful two-point conversion, Lake Mills took a 15-6 lead.  The Eagles kept battling, though, and Diehl had a 3-yard TD run late in the third quarter to pull Sauk Prairie within 15-13. Moen — who threw for 184 yards and ran for 90 more — had a 14-yard TD run in the fourth quarter, though, to give Lake Mills some breathing room. “I think, as in most close football games it comes down to about three or four plays,” Iverson said. “Give Lake Mills credit for making them. We struggled at times getting off the field on third down, but again that also has a lot to do with them.   “They made a really nice throw and catch on third down with about 90 seconds left. We felt pretty good about how we used the clock at the end, to be in a situation of third and medium and we still had a timeout we were ready to use (if) we stopped them to get the ball back and go down and win the game. But again, to their credit they converted. They are a veteran team in a lot of areas.” The Eagles will end their season Friday when they host Madison Edgewood (4-2) at 7 p.m. And no matter what happens, Iverson is happy his team got their season in and improved throughout. “I’m really proud of this group,” Iverson said. “I know the coach speak about no moral victories, but in the end a coach wants a team to play hard, improve weekly and care.   “Obviously, I wish we could have been ahead when a few games ended, but I love this group and they are one of the more mentally tough groups I have been lucky to be around. So we will celebrate the 2020 football family, but right now we are focused on having a great week of practice and improving.”   Oct. 30 Lake Mills 22, Sauk Prairie 13 Lake Mills ...… 7  0  8  7 — 22 Sauk Prairie .... 0  6  7  0 — 13 LM: Horkan 16 pass from Moen (Levake kick), 2:21 SP: Diehl 8 run (kick failed), 8:50 LM: Cassady 7 run (Retrum pass from Moen), 5:28 SP: Diehl 3 run (kick good), 2:07 LM: Moen 14 run (Lund kick), 1:24 TEAM STATISTICS First downs — LM 16, SP 10. Rushing (Att.-Yds.) — LM 29-149; SP 35-140. Passing yards — LM 154; SP 85. Passes (Comp.-Att.-Int.) — LM 16-20-1; SP 5-15-1. Penalties-yards — LM 4-55; SP 2-16. Fumbles-lost — LM 0-0; SP 1-0.   INDIVIDUAL LEADERS Rushing — LM: Moen 17-90; Cassady 12-59; SP: Uselman 13-44, Wright-Rodriguez 12-43. Passing — LM: Moen 16-20-1 154; SP: Wright-Rodriguez 5-15-1 85. Receiving — LM: Retrum 6-147; SP: Gibbs 2-50.