Franklin, Greendale getting defensive
Neither football team has allowed a point this season
Two weeks into the season and a pair of football programs known mostly for spread offenses and racking up touchdowns is making just as many waves on the defensive side of the ball.
Both Franklin, the top-ranked team in the NOW Newspapers sports writers poll, and Greendale, tied for third with Brown Deer, have posted consecutive shutouts to open the season. The Sabers shut out reigning WIAA Division 1 champion Marquette, 21-0, at Hart Park on Friday after slamming Greenfield, 40-0, in the season opener. Meanwhile, Greendale blanked host Pewaukee, 33-0, Friday, snapping the Pirates' 19-game conference winning streak in the process, after hammering Campbellsport, 37-0, in week one.
The teams' offensive leaders and quarterbacks, Franklin's Lance Baretz and Greendale's Ernie Valente, have come away impressed thus far.
"Everybody's been talking about our offense," Baretz told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Friday. "We've been getting all the press and ink. We love the press. But defensively, those guys are just as good as us.."
In a separate interview with the Journal Sentinel, Valente added, "(His defensive teammates) are unbelievable. Just unbelievable. We have such a great rivalry in practice, but out here, I'm sure glad they're on our side."
Tough games ahead
Both units will be put to the test again Friday. The Sabers open the Southeast Conference season at undefeated Muskego (2-0) at 7 p.m. The Warriors make their living running the ball and are averaging 285.5 rushing yards per contest. Senior Luke Przbylka leads the team with 290 rushing yards with junior Jordan Gruettner close behind with 253, including 237 in a season-opening win over Port Washington.
The Sabers edged the Warriors, 41-36, in a shootout a year ago. But that high score won't be repeated if Franklin has it its way this time around.
"This year our goal was to be known for our defense," senior linebacker Macon Plewa told the Journal Sentinel. "Our defense has been working hard ever since last year."
The Panthers likewise will have their hands full when they meet up with stud senior running back Chris Smith and undefeated Brown Deer on the road at 7 p.m. Friday.
After leading the NOW area in rushing a year ago and earning a spot on the NOW All-Suburban Team, Smith is off to a fast start again. Through two games, he is averaging 163 rushing yards per game for the Falcons, now the favorite to win the Woodland Blue Division after Pewaukee lost.
If the front line of Jordan Campbell and James Wilson shuts down Brown Deer like it did Pewaukee - the Pirates crossed midfield just twice and did not get a first down in the second half - Greendale should like its chances against the Falcons' passing game based on what it accomplished Friday. The Panthers intercepted four Pewaukee passes, two each by junior linebacker Drake Barczak and senior defensive back Jo Jo Sardina.
Both Franklin's and Greendale's offenses were equally sharp in their week two victories. Valente rushed for 117 yards and one touchdown and passed for another, a 20-yard TD pass to Andrew Brees.
Baretz and company went on a 19-play, 80-yard drive to start the game, scoring on a 1-yard plunge by Baretz 9 minutes, 9 seconds into the possession. The senior finished with 114 rushing yards, including another score from 26-yards out in the fourth quarter, and 114 passing yards with a 30-yard TD pass to Brady Oates.
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