Second verse, same as the first

The sequel was no better than the original. And that was bad news for Sauk Prairie’s football team. The Eagles hosted Baraboo last Friday and fell to the Thunderbirds, 35-0. The game was moved to Sauk Prairie’s new turf stadium due to poor field conditions at Baraboo. The teams also met on Sept. 25 and Baraboo prevailed there, 21-3. “You make some adjustments, they make some, but you do what you do,” Eagles coach Clay Iverson said of playing the Thunderbirds twice in a month. Baraboo improved to 4-1 overall, with its only loss coming to Division 1 Sussex Hamilton. The Eagles fell to 0-5. The games followed similar scripts, with Baraboo using its ground and pound offense to eventually wear down the Eagles. The Thunderbirds ran for 292 yards on 50 carries (5.84 yards per carry) and threw just eight passes all night. “Defensively we have been able to hold our own,” Iverson said. “But with so many kids playing both ways and being a bit undersized I think we might have worn down a bit as a team, not as a specific unit.   “I thought we played with a ton of heart and competed the entire game. Baraboo is a big experienced team that will try and break you. We certainly didn’t give in.”   Baraboo’s Luna Larson had 101 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Owen Nachtigal had 95 yards rushing and a pair of TDs.  Meanwhile, Sauk Prairie struggled on offense, with just five first downs and 138 total yards. The Eagles also lost a pair of fumbles. Sauk Prairie hung around early and trailed 14-0 at halftime. But when the Eagles couldn’t get much going on offense, the Thunderbirds began to take advantage. Baraboo pushed its lead to 22-0 in the third quarter, then tacked on two more fourth quarter touchdowns. “They are very good with their talented backs and have a good offensive line,” Iverson said. “We knew we would have to be bend, but don’t break.  “For the most part we were able to do that in the first half. In the second half we just couldn’t keep the football on offense, which makes it tough to hold up against a big experienced team.” While the Eagles are struggling in the win-loss column, Iverson has seen several other positives. And Sauk Prairie’s veteran coach is thrilled his team is getting the chance to compete this fall while many other programs are sitting and watching. “I love our kids, they are playing and practicing as hard as they can,” Iverson said. “That is our standard. I have a ton of respect for them.   “It is so easy to quit, complain or to stop caring. They have done none of that. I can’t wait to get out and practice with them.”  • On deck: Sauk Prairie hosts Lake Mills Friday at 7 p.m. The L-Cats are 3-2 this season and have one of the area’s top quarterbacks in senior Adam Moen, who has thrown for 1,250 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. “They are another, big, talented, experienced football team,” Iverson said. “Their skill kids stand out, but I am impressed with their kids up front as well.   “Again, though, regardless of score or record we will focus on getting better as a team and program. That is what is in our control. Our kids understand that and are doing a great job.”   Oct. 23 Baraboo 35, Sauk Prairie 0 Sauk Prairie …… 0 0 0 0 — 0 Baraboo ………. 8 6 8 13 — 35 First quarter Larson 12 run (Nachtigal run), 2:27. Second quarter Larson 8 run (run failed), 2:48. Third quarter Nachtigal 5 run (Larson to Philipp), 4:17 Fourth quarter Nachtigal 8 run (Henry kick), 10:52 Mahoney 8 run (kick failed), 8:07 TEAM STATISTICS First downs — SP 5, B 18. Rushing (Att.-Yds.) — SP 20-103; B 50-292. Passing yards — SP 35; B 125. Passes (Comp.-Att.-Int.) — SP 5-14-0; B 7-8-0. Penalties-yards — SP 0-0; B 7-44. Fumbles-lost — SP 2-2, B 3-2.   INDIVIDUAL LEADERS Rushing — SP: W. Uselman 2-42, T. Uselman 8-25; B: Larson 18-101, Nachtigal 22-95, Mahoney 6-72. Passing — SP: Wright-Rodriguez 4-7-0-22, Gibbs 1-7-0-13; B: Larson 7-8-0-125. Receiving — SP: Frey 1-13; B: Weyh 3-73.