Heights falls to Newman Catholic

There are weeks you can gameplan, scheme and study film until you can’t keep your eyes open — and it might just not matter. The guy lining up across from you is just flat out better. Wisconsin Heights’ football team had a week like that, falling to mighty Newman Catholic, 48-20 last Friday. The Vanguards fell to 5-2 overall and 3-2 in the Great 8 Conference, while Newman Catholic improved to 7-0 overall and 5-0 in the league. “Without a doubt Newman was the best team we had faced all season,” Heights coach Trevor Steiner said. “Fast, agile, and fundamentally phenomenal! They were simply bigger, faster, and stronger than we were.” The loss puts Newman Catholic in the driver’s seat for the conference title. Afterwards, though, Steiner couldn’t have been more proud of the effort and attitude his team displayed. “I was so proud of the team on Friday night,” Steiner said. “We knew going in that Newman was going to be the best team we were going to play to that point, and the kids stepped up and played their hearts out. “Two key starters were out of the game before the end of the first period and yet, we played with them step for step in the first half. And even though they built up a lead in the fourth quarter, our kids showed no signs of let-up.” Despite odds stacked against them, Heights hung tough in the first half. Willie Hanson had a 4-yard touchdown run with 7 minutes left in the first quarter. And when quarterback Ozur Kepler hit Everett Buol with a two-point conversion pass, Heights had an 8-7 lead. Newman Catholic reclaimed a 14-8 lead late in the first quarter. But Kepler hit Ace Ayers with 4:51 left in the first half to help the Vanguards pull even, 14-14. After another Newman Catholic touchdown, Kepler hit Garrett Kerl with a 58-yard touchdown pass just before halftime and the Vanguards closed within 21-20 at the break. The second half was all Newman Catholic, though, as it outscored Heights, 20-0, in the third quarter and pulled away in the fourth. “Towards the end of the first half, they had made us one dimensional by taking away the run,” Steiner said. “We did our best to see if we could figure out a way we could find a consistent run, but it did not work out. “They dominated the line of scrimmage, and forced us to pass in numerous cases, and they had the speed to cover our receivers. Ozur had to throw under tremendous pressure at times.” Despite the loss, Steiner was extremely happy with the Vanguards’ effort. “I think we found out who we are in that game,” Steiner said. “It’s easy to win and walk off the field with your head high after a win, but it’s a test of character knowing the other guy is getting or got the best of you, and as a coach I couldn’t have been happier with how the kids handled themselves in all that adversity.” • On deck: Heights hosts Rockford Christian Life Friday at 7 p.m.