Heights gets back on track

The folks at Wisconsin Heights aren’t sure about school records. This much is certain, though: what the Vanguards did last Friday bordered on remarkable. Quarterback Ozur Kepler threw seven touchdown passes, including four to wide receiver Ace Ayers. That remarkable duo helped the Vanguards roll past host Sturgeon Bay, 74-38. Heights improved to 4-1 and is 2-1 in the Great 8 Conference. And after losing to Belmont the previous week, the Vanguards bounced back in a big way. “Yes, we certainly did need a game like this,” Heights coach Trevor Steiner said. “The Belmont game left a bad taste in our mouth, and the kids wanted to get right back on the field.” Kepler completed 20-of-35 passes for a whopping 366 yards and those seven touchdowns. Ayers had eight catches for 201 yards and four touchdowns. While Steiner wasn’t sure where those numbers ranked in the school record books, he did know both players were something special. “Ozur is one tough kid who competes every down,” Steiner said. “And I had a feeling (Ayers) could have a good night. We liked his match-up and he took advantage!” They weren’t the only ones. Willy Hanson ran for 139 yards on 23 carries (6.0) and had two touchdowns. Everett Buol had a rushing touchdown and a receiving TD, Garrett Kerl caught a touchdown and both Hunter Walz and Ayers had rushing TDs. Heights raced to a 30-6 lead early in the second quarter behind three passing touchdowns from Kepler to Ayers. But by early in the third quarter, Sturgeon Bay had pulled within 36-24. “I think we did relax a bit,” Steiner said. “But I also credit Sturgeon Bay for not staying down. They kept fighting, got some momentum, and before we knew it, they were right back in the game.” Heights answered the bell, though. The Vanguards scored 22 unanswered points to take a commanding 58-24 lead. Hanson had two TD runs in that stretch and Ayers caught his fourth TD of the game. And after a Sturgeon Bay TD, Buol had his two touchdowns as the Vanguards finished off their rout. “Our kids showed some toughness on their part taking care of the job in the second half,” Steiner said. “I really liked that, because at halftime we talked about the fact that both teams practice, both teams have equal chances of winning, and it is a four-quarter game. We wanted to see four quarters of mental and physical toughness, and eventually we wore them out.” • On deck: Oakfield comes to Wisconsin Heights Friday at 7 p.m.