Coming off an appearance in the WIAA Division 7 State Championship game, the Potosi varsity football team enters the 2013 season as the favorites to win the program’s sixth straight Six Rivers Conference title.
Coach Mark Siegert’s squad showed just why it is the favorite this year by defeating Shullsburg last Saturday afternoon, 38–12, in their season opener played in the Six Rivers Jamboree at UW–Platteville’s Ralph E. David Pioneer Stadium.
The Chieftains (1–0, 1–0 Six Rivers) used a variety of running and passing plays on offense to post 38 points in their first game of the season, but also had a strong defense that made life tough for the Miners (0–1, 0–1).
Following an interception by Potosi senior Chase Kruser on Shullsburg’s first possession, the Chieftains put together an opening drive of their own that covered 79 yards in 14 plays and led to a touchdown.
Kruser scored from three yards out on a running play, while Brent Curtis hauled in a two-point conversion pass from junior quarterback Kyle Kaiser to make it 8–0.
The Chieftains went on to score touchdowns on their next two possessions, taking a 22–0 lead with 4:49 to play in the first quarter.
Potosi’s second scoring drive used just three plays and ended with a 50-yard TD pass from Kaiser to senior tight end Mitch Kuster. Senior fullback Trevor Ehlen ran in the two-point conversion.
Kaiser and Kuster then hooked up again for the team’s third score, this one covering 45 yards. The two-point conversion run failed.
Kaiser and Kuster are in their first year as starters replacing 2012 all-state selections Tim Fritz (113-of-196, 1,905 passing yards, 26 TDs) and Mitch Langkamp (31 receptions, 489 yards receiving, 7 TDs).
Following back-to-back interceptions on their final two possessions of the first half, Potosi stalled at the Miners’ 11-yard line first drive of the third quarter.
Shullsburg eventually got on the board in the third quarter, and scored again late in the fourth, but the outcome was never in question.
Potosi put the game away with two fourth-quarter touchdowns, one a 13-yard run by Kaiser, and another a 24-yard scamper by Riley Hawes, who was in for the injured Kruser.
In all, Potosi ran for 234 yards and three touchdowns on 34 attempts, led by Hawes, who finished with 72 yards and one TD on just seven carries. He also ran in a two-point conversion.
Kaiser completed 6 of 9 passing attempts for 112 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also ran for a score and threw a two-point conversion pass.
Kuster finished the day as Potosi’s top receiver with two receptions for 95 yards, which included touchdowns of 50 and 45 yards.
The Miners accumulated 248 rushing yards on 44 attempts, while completing 3 of 12 passing attempts for 63 yards.
Each team had two turnovers in the game, while Potosi had six penalties for 50 yards, and Shullsburg just three penalties for 25 yards.
This Friday night, coach Siegert’s squad will travel to Bloomington to take on River Ridge (0–1), who suffered a 35–18 loss to Cassville in their opening game.
Potosi 38, Shullsburg 12
(from Saturday, Aug. 24 @ Shullsburg)
Potosi 8 14 0 16 — 38
Shullsburg 0 0 6 6 — 12
First quarter
P: Chase Kruser 3 run (Brent Curtis pass from Kyle Kaiser)
Second quarter
P: Mitch Kuster 50 pass from Kaiser (Trevor Ehlen run)
P: Kuster 45 pass from Kaiser (run failed)
Third quarter
S: H. Matye 6 pass from B. Matye (run failed)
Fourth quarter
P: Kaiser 13 run (Riley Hawes run)
S: B. Matye 1 run (pass failed)
P: Hawes 24 run (Friederick run)
Team Statistics
First downs: P 18, S 12. Rushing: P 34-234, S 44-248. Passing yards: P 112, S 63. Passes: P 6-9-2, S 3-12-2. Fumbles-lost: P 2-0, S 2-0. Penalties-yards: P 6-50, S 3-25.
Individual leaders
Rushing: P: Hawes 7-72, Kruser 12-69; S: Houtakker 24-148. Passing: P: Kaiser 6-9-2, 112; S: B. Mayte 5-13-2, 68. Receiving: P: Kuster 2-95; S: H. Mayte 3-52.
Big plays carry new-look Potosi
Senior TE Kuster catches two long TD passes