September 10, 2021 – Kewaskum, WI – The Kewaskum Indians and Plymouth Panthers put their undefeated seasons on the line this Friday night to determine who will be near the top of the East Central Conference.
The two teams are tied with Berlin for the best record in the conference, each team holding a 3-0 record including one conference win.
Both teams will play Berlin this year, but since Plymouth does not play them until their final game of the season, (Kewaskum will play Berlin on Friday September 24, 2021) this could be viewed as a must win for Plymouth in its quest to secure a claim for the conference title.
Kewaskum won its last game against Kettle Moraine Lutheran 21-14 in overtime. Meanwhile Plymouth handily took care of Sheboygan Falls 34-8 in its last game, with defense allowing its first points of the season following two shutouts.
Kewaskum is looking for its first win against Plymouth since 2017, although last season the Indians came close to beating the Panthers, ultimately losing 28-21.
It will be a battle of rushing attacks between the two offenses, led by Kewaskum senior running back Max Melzer. The Indians senior is the second-best rusher in the East Central conference with 382 rushing yards (127.3 per game) on 59 rushing attempts and 6 running touchdowns.
Plymouth senior quarterback Kellan Mella is fourth in the conference with 257 rushing yards (85.7 yards per game) on 42 rushing attempts and 6 rushing touchdowns.
Mella has struggled this season as an actual quarterback, namely in ball security, throwing three interceptions and no passing touchdowns, although he has thrown for 369 passing yards and completed over 51% of his passes.
On the Indians side, quarterback Matthew Buechel has thrown for 443 passing yards (third best in the conference), with a 65.7 completion percentage, 3 passing touchdowns and 1 interception this season.
The two teams are nearly even in offensive point production, with Kewaskum scoring 99 points this season, while Plymouth has scored 98 points this season.
Defensively the two teams have been impressive forces, with the Panthers having 6 fumble recoveries, 7 interceptions, with 3 interceptions for returned for touchdowns and 6 sacks, while the Indians’ defense has 4 fumble recoveries, 5 interceptions (2 returned for touchdowns) and 4 sacks.
Special teams may also be an x-factor in this game, as Kewaskum is the only team in the East Central Conference with a special teams’ touchdown, via a kick return by senior wide receiver Benjamin Butler.
Kewaskum Head Coach Steve Tennies is prepared for a great challenge with the game against Plymouth. “Nothing really changes in terms of our preparation for this game, and we are grateful to have this opportunity (to lead the conference standings) with a healthy and well-performing team,” Tennies said.
The game between the two will take place in Plymouth on Friday, September 10, 2021, with kickoff at 7 p.m.
