Westosha Central stops Round Lake

Round Lake football not only lost its sight and dealt with a low-lying fog during its nonconference opener on Friday night.

The Panthers also couldn't stop Westosha Central (Wis.) through the mist, either, falling 24-0 in Round Lake.

"We had good effort, but we didn't have good focus throughout the game," Round Lake coach John Coursey said. "We've got a young group of guys and inexperienced football players. Our key now is, can we develop better focus?

"It's never about who we play, it's all about us. If we can focus each game. What we can do to improve and execute. The win will come. And when it comes we'll all be excited for it."

Round Lake has lost 17 straight games, with its last win in Week 2 a couple of years ago. Still, the Panthers had good efforts on defense and on special teams.

"You never expect to get beaten," Coursey said "Every game, you expect to win.

"I thought we played outstanding on defense. I thought there were five plays that made the difference. Offensively, we need to get things fixed."

Meanwhile, defensively, the Panthers' Mecca Griffin and Gerald Williams picked off interceptions. Javier Villa recovered a fumble.

The Panthers' offense was held to 59 total yards, of which 51 came on the ground, with only 1 first down.

"It was the first shutout we've had in a long time," said Westosha Central coach Scott Mirkes, whose team broke its eight-game losing streak. "We've got a senior-dominated defense. We put the kids in there who have the experience before. We relied on the defense carrying us through.

"We thought (Round Lake) would throw the ball but with the conditions, you can't see the ball through the mist. We knew if we stop the run we'd be solid."

Falcons quarterback Austin Damascke (12 carries, 93 yards) rushed for 3 touchdowns (1, 4 and 43 yards ) and Danny Neighbors (12 carries, 67 yards) scored the other on a 30-yard run.