Dukes Crush Nicolet, 35-12
- Updated: September 17, 2016
QB Cade Garcia made 12 completions for 156 yards and 3 touchdowns against Nicolet.
Photo: Brad Caspari | Full Photo Gallery
Box Score/Play-By-Play 
It did not take long to determine the victor in Friday’s game against the visiting Nicolet Knights. In the first 18 minutes of play, the Blue Dukes dominated every aspect of the game to take a 35-0 lead before pulling many of their starters for the rest of the night.
Offense Gets a Fast Start
Bay started the game with a nine-play drive featuring big plays by running backs Michael Kirkendoll and Bo Bassindale. Quarterback Cade Garcia then found a wide open Kirkendoll in the south end zone for a 6-yard TD pass. Zach Lichosik’s extra point gave the Dukes the lead at 7-0. The defense took its turn with consecutive tackles by Jordan Riley, Case Fleck, and Brady Weas. The Knights punted the ball to Kirkendoll who returned the rock back to the Bay 44-yard line. It would take eight plays, including two receptions by Kirkendoll, before Garcia lofted a 21-yard fade pass to wide receiver Alex Anthony in the corner of the end zone for the touchdown. Zach Lichosik‘s kick made it 14-0. On the second play of the next possession, the Knights quarterback tried to pass to his receiver on a quick sideline pattern, but found sophomore linebacker Patrick Nau instead. Nau’s interception gave Bay the ball on the Nicolet 24 yard line. A penalty would move the ball back 15 yards which was quickly regained behind a nifty run by Bassindale. From there, it was a 29-yard pass from Garcia to wide receiver Maurice David Lee, who made a diving catch for the touchdown. Garcia was back in top form after his game-ending injury one week earlier. The conference-leading quarterback played just five series, but connected with five different receivers on 12 of 18 pass attempts, for 156 yards and 3 touchdowns. Lichosik made the extra point to make the score 21-0 with still over three minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Dukes Defense Dominates
The aggressive Dukes defense stymied the Nicolet running game led by some great open field tackling by Fleck. A fumbled snap was alertly recovered by defensive tackle Thomas Deakin on the Nicolet 40-yard line. Deakin has been a steadily improving force on the defensive front line for the Dukes. Consecutive runs by KIrkendoll and Bassindale carried the pigskin to about the 1-yard line, but a series of self-inflicted mistakes, including a bad snap on a field goal attempt, kept the Blues Dukes from recording their fourth
DT Thomas Deakin has seen steady improvement and recovered a fumbled snap against Nicolet.
Photo: Brad Caspari | Full Photo Gallery
score of the quarter. Whitefish Bay began the second quarter with suffocating defense, making the visitors punt from deep in their own territory. Senior cornerback David Thompson found a gap in the protection, flying in to block the punt. Fleck came out of the pile with the ball and the touchdown just over a minute into the second quarter. Lichosik connected on the kick, making the score 28-0. Four plays into the next possession, junior linebacker Jacob Hawig forced another Nicolet fumble which was recovered by Fleck, giving the defense its fourth turnover of the game. Bay would not give Nicolet a break.
Let’s Call it a “Knight”
Bay’s next drive started with a couple of runs by Bassindale and pass completions to Lee and Anthony. Garcia then connected with his sure-handed conference-leading receiver Anthony for about 30 yards, moving the ball deep into the red zone. Bassindale would get two carries, the final being a two-yard run up the middle for the score. Lichosik drilled his fifth extra point of the night to make the score 35-0. Coach Jake Wolter held a quick conference with his high-powered offense to let them know he wouldn’t need their services for the rest of the evening.
The balance of the game was mercifully shortened by applying the running-clock rule. Wolter spread the ball around getting carries for Deon Harris, Eric Anthony, Brandon Yang, Patrick Nau and David Thompson. The line would see action from Devlin Bliffert and Noah Alling. He also put quarterbacks Ben Burroughs and Dylan Weickhardt into the game to run the offense. The defense would continue to play well with Andy Oates and Case Fleck providing the leadership. Allen Primack and Nathan Valk and many other players got some of their first Varsity experience. Nicolet managed two late scores, including one as the clock ran out, making the final score 35-12.
Dukes of the Game
Quarterback Cade Garcia and is the Offensive Player of the Game and Safety Case Fleck are the Dukes of Game.
