Milton edges DeForest football 7–6

DeForest lost a defensive football game to Milton, 7–6, on Friday, Sept. 25, narrowly missing a chance for its second road victory of the season.

After opening Badger-Large play with an 8-7 victory over Oregon, DeForest lost its next two games, falling to Sun Prairie East (28-13) and Waunakee (42-13).

This set up an important game at Milton’s Jerry Schliem Stadium on Friday, Sept. 25. Not only was DeForest looking to get back to .500 in the conference, but DeForest aimed to strengthen their playoff résumé with a remaining schedule.

DeForest came close to securing its second road win of the season, but fell narrowly short in a 7-6 defeat to the Red Hawks.

Both DeForest (1-5 overall, 1-3 in the Badger-Large) and Milton (3-3 overall, 3-1 in the Badger-Large) scored their only points in the first quarter.

Game recap

The Red Hawks scored first, capping their first drive of the game on a 15-yard touchdown reception to take a 7-0 lead over DeForest.

After Milton forced a quick 3-and-out from DeForest, the Red Hawks’ offense marched inside Norski territory.

But Baylor Skolaski had other plans. Skolaski, a junior linebacker, picked off Milton’s quarterback inside their 25-yard line.

DeForest used Skolaski’s interception to drive up the field. Junior fullback Nolan Kemp put a finishing bow on DeForest’s methodical drive, punching home a two-yard rushing touchdown with 1:40 remaining in the first.

However, according to a report from Zane Goedderz, sports editor at the Janesville Gazette and Milton Courier, DeForest botched the hold on the ensuing point-after attempt.

That proved to be the difference maker in the game.

DeForest’s defense, though, prevented Milton from taking a two-touchdown lead throughout the game. Late in the second quarter, DeForest kept Milton from extending its lead, stopping the Red Hawks after 1st-and-goal from the nine-yard line.

In the second half, Milton missed a 26-yard field goal, keeping the door open for DeForest to make one last push.

And so they did. On their final drive of the game, DeForest marched from the near 20-yard line to midfield. However, their drive ended on 4th-and-5 as Milton snuck away with the one-point victory.

According to stats provided by Goedderz, DeForest senior quarterback Tru Killerlain threw for 51 yards on 4-for-8 completions with zero interceptions.

Norski senior running back Dalton Lee rushed for 45 yards on 13 carries, while Killerlain scrambled for 39 yards. Lee also notably connected on a 22-yard reception, while junior defensive end Jackson Davenport brought down one sack.

Up next for DeForest, they’ll return home against Watertown on Friday, Oct. 2, before hosting Sun Prairie West on Friday, Oct. 10. DeForest close regular-season play at Monona Grove on Friday, Oct. 16.