HAZEL GREEN - Injuries in the defensive backfield left the Boscobel football team vulnerable to the pass. And Southwestern took full advantage, strafing the Bulldogs for three long touchdown throws in the Wildcats' 49-8 SWAL win over Boscobel on Friday.

"We had three guys, who had significant playing time back there, out," said Bulldogs coach Todd Fischer. "So, we played some young guys who haven't had a lot of playing time back there, and we got burned deep."

Southwestern quarterback Keaton Kephardt teamed up with Brady Wilkerson on scoring strikes of 40, 26 and 75 yards for the Wildcats, who led at the half 43-0.
The lone bright spot for Boscobel was a 75-yard punt return by Zach Richards in the fourth quarter.

"It was out of hand by that point, but he picked up four key blocks," said Fischer. "I don't want to over-exaggerate it, but it was a nice play and a positive thing, and it shows we never stopped playing."

Still, it was a long night for the Bulldogs, who fall to 0-4 overall and 0-2 in the SWAL with the loss. Southwestern moves to 1-1 in the conference and 2-2 overall.

What's tough to take for Boscobel is that the Bulldogs had a good ground game going and did generate scoring chances.

"We still ran the ball pretty well, and we were able to move the ball at times, but troublesome field position and those long scoring passes combined to dampen the Bulldogs' spirit.

"When you're moving the ball down the field, you get stopped and then they throw a deep pass for a score, that's tough attitude-wise," said coach Fischer. "It takes the wind out of you."

Wilkerson's 40-yard TD catch started the scoring, with Connor Kuhl scampering 17 yards for another first-quarter score for Southwestern.

Down 16-0, Boscobel gave up 27 points in the second quarter, including a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown by Kephart.

Aaron Kaiser scored on a 3-yard run to cap the scoring for Southwestern.
On Friday, Boscobel hosts Darlington.