Cashton handles Indees with strong running game, stout defense


Independence/Gilmanton senior Hunter Guenther threw the ball 30 yards downfield on a fake punt to close the first half of a 67-7 loss to host Cashton last Friday.        (Times photograph by Benjamin Pierce)

As cheers flooded the football field at Cashton High School last Friday and the final tones of the National Anthem faded, the visiting Independence/Gilmaton Indees gathered on the sideline preparing for what would be a grueling battle with one of the best teams in all of Division Seven.

The ensuing opening kickoff was returned 78 yards for a touchdown by Cashton’s Connor Butzler. It was the flame to a match that would remain lit all night as the Eagles — ranked fourth in the state — handled the Indees 67-7.

Independence/Gilmanton (0-2 this season) was scheduled to host Trempealeau County foe Blair-Taylor this Friday to open Dairyland Conference play.

Cashton built up a 52-0 lead at halftime on Friday, tacking on a 13-yard passing score from Jacob Huntzicker to Jack Kleba on their first possession. Huntzicker finished the day four-for-four with 76 yards.

Most of the lead was built in the running game, as the Eagles scored six times on the ground. Sophomore Lane Klinge had three of the touchdowns and Colin O’Neil had two as 10 different Eagles carried the ball on Friday.

Offense was not nearly as easy for the Indees, which conceded multiple fumbles and had an interception returned for a touchdown by O’Neil in the second quarter.

The Indees broke the shutout with a two-yard touchdown scamper by quarterback Ben Pyka midway through the fourth quarter. Two of Klinge’s runs were the only other scores of the second half.

Pyka and teammate Hunter Guenther combined to throw 2-for-5 for 29 yards. The Indees finished with 120 yards rushing, led by a 47-yard night from Pyka. Tyler Kingsbury and Mason Gierok added 35 and 37 yards on the ground, respectively.

Kingsbury had the only two catches for the Indees, good for 29 yards.

I/G—

Rushing (att./yds.)—M, Gierok 11/37, Kingsbury 9/35, B. Pyka 17/47, N. Pyka 3/7, O. Gierok 1/0, Santillan 1/-3, Marsolek 3/-3.

Receiving (rec./yds.)—Kingsbury 2/29.

Passing (comp./att./yds.)—Pyka 1/3/-1, Guenther 1/2/30.

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