Turnovers prove costly for Marines against Bonduel

BONDUEL, Wis. — For the second straight season, the Marinette High School football team was unable to do much damage against Bonduel’s defense as the Bears came away with a 28-7 win in Packerland Conference play.

With both squads entering with a 1-4 record, one team was going to claim a much-needed victory in Friday night’s tilt. Unfortunately for Marinette, the Marines were unable to solve Bonduel’s defense until late in the fourth quarter.

After shutting out the Marines 34-0 last season, the Bears limited the Marines to 83 total yards of offense on Friday.

Bonduel capitalized on several Marinette turnovers and scored 14 points in the second quarter, six in the third and eight in the fourth before the Marines finally punched the ball into the endzone with just over a minute to play.

As advertised, Bonduel quarterback Noah Weier was prone to interceptions. Weier had thrown four picks in five games coming into the contest, and the Marines were able to come up with three interceptions, including a pair from sophomore DB Max Jacobson.

However, the Marines were unable to move the ball against a staunch Bears defense. Marinette was two-for-12 on third down and one-for-six converting on fourth down while managing only 64 yards on the ground and 19 yards passing.

The Marines also tossed an interception of their own and lost two fumbles on the night.

Bonduel pinned the Marines deep in their own territory and forced a punt from their own endzone at the end of the first quarter. The Bears took advantage of the short field and started the second quarter by capping a 22-yard drive with a seven-yard flea-flicker from Cade Johnson to Weier.

Marinette fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Weier hit Colin Margelofsky from 34 yards out as the Bears stretched the lead to 14-0.

In the third quarter, Marinette fumbled a snap at their own 13-yard line. Once again, the Bears capitalized on the miscue, this time Owen Springborn punched the ball in with a 13-yard run to push the score to 20-0.

Bonduel’s next drive started with an interception by Johnson. The Bears drove the field and Weier hit Karson Stoss from 15-yards out early in the fourth quarter. Bonduel was successful on a two-point conversion try, taking a 28-0 lead.

With time winding down, the Marines finally put together a drive. Jacobson started and ended an 11-play 61-yard drive. The sophomore returned an interception to the 39-yard line and later caught an 11-yard pass from Cooper Smith in the back corner of the endzone.

Marinette can now put a rough five-game stretch in the rear view and focus on three winnable contests to close the season. The team’s final three opponents hold a combined record of 5-13.

Up nextMarinette: The Marines will celebrate homecoming against rival Peshtigo. The Marines will try to avenge a 30-20 loss to the Bulldogs last season. Friday’s gametime is set for 7 p.m. at Higley Stadium.

Bonduel 28, Marinette 7Marinette 0 0 0 7 — 7

Bonduel 0 14 6 8 — 28

Passing: (Marinette) Doubek 2-3-7, INT. (Bonduel) Weier 4-9-64, 2 TDs, 2 INTs; Johnson 1-1-6, TD.

Rushing: (Marinette) Doubek 4-11. (Bonduel) Springborn 6-54; Westrich 8-35; Weier 5-33.

Receiving: (Marinette) Jacobson 1-11, TD. (Bonduel) Margelofsky 1-34, TD; Johnson 2-18; Stoss 1-12, TD; Weier 1-6, TD.

Packerland Conference standings (Through Week 6)

Kewaunee — 4-0 Packerland, 6-0 overall

Southern Door — 4-0, 6-0

Sturgeon Bay — 3-1, 4-2

Bonduel — 2-2, 2-4

Oconto — 2-2, 3-3

Mishicot — 1-3, 2-4

Marinette — 0-4, 1-5

Peshtigo — 0-4, 0-6