Blue Dukes Collar Bulldogs, 35-3
- Updated: September 4, 2016
The Blue Dukes made a statement about retaining their championship title in the conference opener against Cedarburg, dominating the Bulldogs 35-3. Bay took just six plays to score when on a 3rd and 11 from the Cedarburg 47 yard line; QB Cade Garcia arched a perfect pass WR Maurice Lee, who dragged a defender and the ball into the end zone for the touchdown.
Running Back Bo Bassindale had 2 TDs and 80 rushing yards.
Photo: Brad Caspari | Full Photo Gallery
Box Score/Play-By-Play 
It’s good to see Lee back on the field after week one’s injury, as he gives the potent Blue Dukes offense yet another weapon. Garcia was good on the conversion to give the Dukes a 7-0 lead. Starting their first possession on the 15 yard line, the Bulldogs ran the ball ten straight times for three first downs. CB David Thompson made a great defensive play on a long pass attempt to save a sure touchdown. The visitors used the balance of the first quarter bulldozing their way on an 18-play drive before finally being stopped by the defense. Cedarburg settled for a 27 yard field goal to make the score 7-3.
Garcia started the next drive with a 12-yard keeper, followed by a 5-yard gain by RB Bo Bassindale. It was obvious that Cedarburg’s game plan was to take away our passing game by devoting extra coverage to Bay’s conference leading receiver Alex Anthony. On a third and five, Garcia found Michael Kirkendoll for a 12-yard reception and a first down. Garcia completed the same scenario three plays later by passing to Bassindale for a 14-yard reception. FB Patrick Nau rumbled 6 yards up the gut to advance the ball to the 8, where two plays later Bassindale swept to the left side, finding a crease in the pursuit, twisting his body into the end zone for the touchdown. Garcia drilled the extra point for a 14-3 advantage with 6:30 left in the half. Cedarburg would mount an eight play drive, resorting more to the pass to move the ball downfield. The Bulldogs decided to go for it on a 4th and 1 on the Bay 34 yard line but LB Carson Kimple stoned the ball carrier and was quickly supported by Nau and the rest of the Dukes defense. Garcia quickly moved the offense with completions to Kirkendoll, Anthony and TE Chris Caspari, looking for one more score before the half. Garcia appeared to have Lee open for a 33-yard TD strike, but Cedarburg’s 6’5” 235 pound defensive tackle hit him just as he released the ball, leading to an interception before time ran out in the half.
Quarterback Cade Garcia Garcia completed 12 passes for 165 yards and 2 TDs.
Photo: Brad Caspari | Full Photo Gallery
Time to Walk (Run) the Dog
The Dukes held Cedarburg’s offense on three straight plays to start the second half, including a well-defended pass by Kimple,had a big night on both sides of the ball. After the punt, WFB responded with four straight runs by Bassindale for two first downs, bringing the ball to the Bulldog 31-yard line. The offense was getting its running rhythm and Bassindale was fighting for every yard. A false start penalty and a couple of missed pass attempts would stall the drive. Bay decided to kick and P Zach Lichosik lofted a beauty towards the corner hitting with backspin usually only seen at Augusta, pinning the Bulldogs at their own 5 yard line. Cedarburg completed a pass to get them out of the shadow of their own goal post, but when they went back to pass on the ensuing 3rd down, DE Brady Weas placed heavy pressure on the QB who threw away the pass to avoid a sack, forcing the Dogs to punt the ball back to Bay.
The Dukes started once again with a run to Bassindale for 6 yards. On the next play, Bassindale appeared to be set up for another run, but Garcia handed the ball to Kirkendoll on a jet sweep. The senior sprinted 61 yards for the touchdown. Garcia added the extra point to make it 21-3 with just over 5 minutes remaining in the third quarter. On the next possession, LB Andy Oates delivered a big hit on a Cedarburg receiver; on the following play, sophomore starter DT Mark Moraski recovered a mishandled snap to give Bay the ball on the Bulldog 39. Bassindale would break off an exciting 23-yard gain down the side line before Garcia connected with Anthony for a 13-yard touchdown pass. Garcia nailed his fourth extra point and the Dukes were up 28-3. Garcia ended the day completing 12 passes for 165 yards and 2 TDs.
Defense Shuts Down the Dogs
Cedarburg moved the ball quickly downfield connecting on three big passes before Kirkendoll stepped in front of a receiver to intercept the ball in the end zone terminating the Dogs’ scoring chances. The teams would exchange possessions before Kirkendoll, starting at Safety for the injured Case Fleck, pulled down a deflected pass and returned his second interception for 42 yards to the Bulldog 40. Bassindale picked up another 5 yards before Garcia found Caspari over the middle for a 29-yard reception that Caspari grabbed after a defender tipped the ball away. Caspari was a big offensive addition, providing some major blocks to help open the running game. Bassindale ran the next play 6 yards to pay dirt behind pulling guard Kimple and a nice block by Caspari, for his second TD run of the night. Garcia added the kick for his 5th extra point, running his two game total to 9 of 9 conversions!
There would be two more possession exchange featuring many of the underclassmen getting their first real Varsity experience. RBs Eric Anthony and Tim Nelson shared a few runs before QB Ben Burroughs, finished the contest by assuming the victory formation as time ran out.
Dukes of the Game
Nights like this make it difficult to pick just one player of the game, with many noteworthy performances by our Blue Dukes. So I will recognize two players, one on defense and one on offense: Michael Kirkendoll and Bo Bassindale
