By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
Perhaps it’s in his blood.
Day in and day out, Burlington junior quarterback Brad Burling’s dad Eric leads an entire school as principal at Burlington High School.
On the football field, Brad is leading his teammates. And based on Friday night’s showing, he passed his first varsity start with flying colors.
Brad, who found out he won the team’s three-headed QB competition, at least for this week, calmly completed six of nine passes with a touchdown to help lead the Demons to a 22-7 nonconference victory over host Racine Case.
“I was a little nervous going in,” Brad Burling said. “I felt good after the first few drives, though. I threw a lot this summer. We have potential. We can do a lot of good things.”
Burling’s passing efficiency complemented the team’s traditional, smashmouth style. Nobody put up monster numbers, but five running backs averaged 4 yards per carry.
Burlington coach Hans Block said it was a throwback performance.
“We had a tough time handling Case,” he said. “But our kids stepped up and did what we needed to do to get the win. It was old-fashioned Burlington football. It was a slug fest.”
Block referred to a game-clinching, 65-yard drive late in the fourth quarter.
After a series of short runs, Larry Meeks sealed the deal with 3:35 left from one yard out on third down to make it 21-7. Brian Dankle tacked on the extra point.
Meeks led the Demons with 68 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
James Tully got Burlington on the board in the first quarter with a red-zone touchdown catch.
Wyatt Miller left the game with a knee injury and walked off the field on crutches. Block said he didn’t know the injury’s severity.
Burlington travels to Hammes Field again next week to face Racine Horlick.
Check www.myracinecounty.com for any Demon football updates, and pick up Thursday’s Burlington Standard Press for a complete story including photos and more reaction from Block.
Kewaunee 41, Burlington Catholic Central 7
The Hilltoppers started off the season in ugly fashion Friday at the Topper Bowl.
Kewaunee overpowered the host ‘Toppers and scored on its first drive.
By the second quarter, Kewaunee built a 35-0 advantage and never looked back. Catholic Central heads to Lake Country Lutheran next Saturday, Aug. 31.
Pewaukee 18, Waterford 0
The defending Southern Lakes Conference champs couldn’t get anything going Friday in Pewaukee.
Pewaukee took a 10-0 lead into halftime and tacked on a safety in the third period to make it 12-0.
Then, a fourth-quarter touchdown ended any Wolverine comeback chances.
Waterford returns home Friday to battle Racine Case.
Evansville/Albany 30, Union Grove 21
The Broncos proved Friday night last year was merely an aberration of the program’s rich football tradition.
Although the night ended with an ‘L,’ Union Grove hung in there until the very end against one of the better Division 3 programs in the state, Evansville/Albany.
Kyle Dohjola and J.K. Witkofski were on fire, connecting for three touchdown passes, including Witkofski’s 55-yard grab in the third quarter.
Evansville’s Ryan Cashore took over late, though, scoring a touchdown to close the third quarter and providing the dagger with an 11-yard score with 4:11 remaining.
The Broncos’ home opener is Friday against Kenosha St. Joseph’s.
Other area scores
Delavan-Darien 70, East Troy 52
Elkhorn 38, Cudahy 0
Mukwonago 43, Racine Horlick 33
Big Foot 38, Westosha Central 0
Williams Bay 41, Kenosha Christian Life 0
Muskego 68, Milwaukee Vincent 0
Whitewater 31, Palmyra-Eagle 6
Wilmot 13, New Berlin Eisenhower 0
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