Photo Credit - Manitowoc Lutheran High School
The Manitowoc Lutheran Football Team continues its quest for back-to-back Big East Conference titles tonight as they travel to Hilbert to battle the Wolves.
The Lancers extended their conference winning streak to 15 (dating back to 2024) by defeating Oostburg 28-0 on Homecoming last Friday night at Coach Heidrich Field.
In typical Lancer fashion, they pulled away in the second half.
They simply wore down the visiting Flying Dutchmen with their physicality on both sides of the ball.
Senior Josiah Martin ran for 132 yards and two scores while all the adjectives have about been used up to describe the “Lancer D”.
They held Oostburg to 130 total yards on 66 snaps, averaging less than two yards per play, and capped the victory with a pick-six by sophomore Julian Stuebs, his third of the year.
Collectively, the Lancers have not allowed a defensive touchdown this season, rotating seven defensive linemen to take on blocks and letting several athletes on the back end go get the opposing ball carrier.
Nine players have recorded at least double-digit tackles; of their 287 total tackles, 219 have been solo, along with 42 tackles for loss.
Hilbert will provide a major test as the Wolves enter tonight’s game with a 3-1 record in The Big East and 4-2 overall.
They are coming off an impressive 44-13 victory over Reedsville last Friday night and will take a similar approach to Manitowoc Lutheran.
They love to run the ball, having totaled 1,637 yards through six games. Seniors Jack Pakala and Ezra Sevela have combined for 1,362 of those yards, with Pakala rushing for 792 yards and 14 touchdowns and Sevela for 570 yards and 5 rushing touchdowns, plus an additional 149 receiving yards and a touchdown.
The Wolves’ defense is just as impressive, recording 255 total tackles, 225 solo, and 35 tackles for loss, led by (Jack) Pakala and junior Aaron Halbach, who each have 33 total tackles, 30 of which are solo.
Sophomore Carter Stephany is to the Wolves what Julian Steubs is to Manitowoc Lutheran, a strong presence on the back end, leading the team with four interceptions.
This is basically a matchup of an irresistible force against an immovable object that could come down to who wins the turnover battle and limits mistakes.
Coverage on 980 WCUB and CubRadio.com begins at 6:45 p.m.
Elsewhere in the Big East, Reedsville heads to Oostburg, and Random Lake/Ozaukee travels to Howards Grove to battle the Tigers.
Mishicot hosts Cedar Grove-Belgium for Homecoming on Saturday.
