October 9, 2021 – Jackson, WI – The Living Word Lutheran Timberwolves were geared up to play for their seniors and their playoff lives as well. The game was a defensive chess match all day, one the Brookfield Academy Blue Knights came out on the winning end multiple times.
The first score of the game came when Brookfield Academy senior quarterback Jonah Jensen threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to junior Andrew Li halfway through the first quarter.
Jensen would put the Blue Knights on the board again in the early stages of the second quarter with a 15-yard touchdown pass to junior Tate Grossman.
The Timberwolves however, were undeterred, as junior quarterback Mark Schaefer connected with junior receiver Matthew Fox on two great passes on their next drive, one for 19 yards and a second 11-yard pass for a touchdown, making the score 14-6 in favor of Brookfield Academy after LWL failed a two-point conversion.
Momentum seemed to be turning the Timberwolves way towards the end of the half defensively too, as Schaefer tipped a pass near the Timberwolves’ end zone, which was then intercepted by sophomore Beau Kuhl.
The Timberwolves were unable to capitalize on offense and unfortunately gave up a 28-yard passing touchdown in the final 30 seconds of the half when Jensen connected with junior Maliq Crawford, giving the Blue Knights a 21-6 halftime lead.
The Timberwolves continued tough defense against the Blue Knights in the second half, but the Blue Knights chipped away and scored just over halfway into the third quarter when Jensen completed a 1-yard run (the Blue Knights missed the extra point).
From there another defensive stalemate ensued, later broken again by the Blue Knights. This time with 5:34 left to play in the fourth quarter junior Alex Dieck took the ball on a “sweep” running play for a 3-yard touchdown making it 34-6 Brookfield Academy.
The Timberwolves tried to string together at least more offensive charge and even got the ball inside the red zone, before fumbling the ball on the Blue Knight’s 5-yard line with just under three minutes left in the game.
Unfortunately, the game would end prematurely and on a sour note, as Living Word Lutheran senior Allen Torian suffered an injury while being caught up in a pile of players during a Blue Knights running play.
Torian was unable to move, in part for his own safety, and an ambulance was called to the field, arriving about 20 minutes after the injury occurred. Although there was still technically 1:28 left to play in the fourth quarter, both coaches agreed to end the game due the circumstances of the injury and the score.
The Timberwolves (3-6, 2-4) have been eliminated from playoff contention, but will still play one final regular season game on the road against Kenosha St. Joseph (9-0, 6-0) on Friday, October 15, 2021 with a 7 p.m. kickoff.
Brookfield Academy (6-3, 4-2) will play their final regular season game at home against Kenosha Christian Life (5-4, 3-3) on Friday, October 15, 2021 with a 7 p.m. kickoff.