Lions share Woodland title
DAN MURPHY
NEW BERLIN EISENHOWER 21, CUDAHY 20
Lions share Woodland title
Eisenhower rallies to derail Cudahy
By DAN MURPHY Special to the Journal Sentinel
Thursday, October 24, 2002
Cudahy — The wait and the worrying about getting a conference title are over for coach Jeff Setz and his New Berlin Eisenhower football team.
For the first time in Woodland Conference play, the Lions beat Cudahy. The 21-20 Eisenhower victory on Wednesday night gave the Lions (7-2, 6-1) a share of the conference championship. Greendale also finished 6-1.
It is the first conference title in the 12 years Setz has been coaching the Lions.
“It’s been very stressful trying to get a conference championship and I’m almost in shock right now,” Setz said. “To beat (Cudahy) here on their own field and get the title is something very special for me and the team.”
The victory certainly didn’t come easily. The Packers took a 14-0 halftime lead, scoring on an 18-yard first-quarter run by Symeon Cabell and a 1-yard second-quarter quarterback sneak by Chad Crivello.
The Eisenhower offense managed just two first downs in the first half, and it looked as if the Cudahy winning streak would continue.
But the Lions needed just two plays to get into the end zone in the third quarter. On the second play of the half, halfback Adam Blair took a handoff and threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to Chris Sobczak.
Cudahy held a 14-7 lead entering the fourth quarter and put together a drive that reached the Eisenhower 26 with 10 minutes remaining. But a Cudahy fumble on an 11-yard pass play was recovered by the Lions’ Gary Pietrowiak, and the momentum shifted to Eisenhower.
On the next play, running back Brad Hughes took a handoff, got around the left side of the offensive line and sprinted 83 yards for a touchdown and a 14-14 tie.
Cudahy broke the deadlock with 5 minutes left. Eight consecutive runs by Cabell put the Packers at the Eisenhower 1, and Crivello capped the drive with a touchdown dive. But the extra-point attempt was blocked by the Eisenhower defensive line and the Packers led, 20- 14.
The Lions didn’t take long to answer. Again, Hughes found a hole on the left side and ran 54 yards to the Packers’ 2.
On the next play, Hughes dived into the end zone with 2:25 to play. Jeff Peters added the all-important extra point to give Eisenhower the winning margin.
“We didn’t look too good (in the first half),” said Setz. “I told the kids we had to play our best half of the year, and I really believe we did.”
Hughes finished with 180 yards on 20 carries. Cabell amassed 226 yards on 37 carries for the Packers (4-3 Woodland, 6-3 overall).
The Packers had possession two more times. Cudahy fumbled with 2:13 left, and a desperation pass with 2 seconds to play was intercepted by Eisenhower’s Steve Satula.
“Turnovers and penalties are the name of the game. We haven’t been on the plus side of those all year and that’s why we’re where we are right now,” said Cudahy coach Jeff Cavanaugh.
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