Middleton excited for rematch with Verona
Seven weeks ago, Middleton’s football team was punched in the nose.
Visiting Verona came to town, spoiled a night in which the Borden Athletic Complex was unveiled to the entire community, and defeated the Cardinals, 28-21.
Afterwards, Middleton co-interim coach Tim Simon issued a challenge to his team.
“The thing for our kids to understand is now we find out if we’re a mentally tough team,” Simon said that night. “Anybody can be mentally tough when you’re winning by a couple touchdowns. So we’ve got to hang together.”
Middleton has done just that. And now the Cardinals get a chance at revenge.
Middleton, the No. 3 seed in its bracket, travels to second-seeded Verona for a WIAA Division 1 second round playoff game Friday at 7 p.m. It’s a battle of the Big Eight Conference’s two premier programs and a pair of teams that don’t care for each other.
Verona (9-1 overall) won the Big Eight with a perfect 7-0 mark and has won nine straight games since losing its season-opener to mighty Muskego. Middleton (9-1 overall, 6-1 Big Eight) has rolled off six straight wins since falling to the Wildcats.
When the teams square off Friday, it will mark 49 days since they last met. And the Cardinals are optimistic they can get the better of the Wildcats this time.
“We’re built for this redemption game,” Middleton senior quarterback Gabe Passini said. “I think we’re going to come out hard at practice this week and hopefully get the job done.”
Middleton couldn’t get the job done back in Week 4 largely because it dug itself a 21-0 hole midway through the second quarter. The Cardinals closed within 28-21 with 4 minutes left and were driving for the potential tying score, but were stopped at the Wildcats’ 1-yard line.
“It’s really disappointing,” senior linebacker Sam Pilof said that night.
The Cardinals have a chance to reverse that disappointment, but they’ll have to be better in a few key areas.
First, they must find a way to slow down Verona left handed quarterback Elijah Lagomasino. In the first matchup, Lagomasino was sensational, throwing for 219 yards, three touchdowns and averaging 24.3 yards per completion.
Mike Valitchka was Lagomasino’s favorite target, hauling in five catches for 174 yards and two TDs.
Lagomasino has thrown 20 touchdowns this season and run for eight more, while Valitchka has 10 TD receptions.
Second, Middleton must solve a Verona defense that’s gotten dramatically better as the year has gone on.
The Wildcats have posted four shutouts this season and are allowing just 3.6 points per game in their last five contests. Verona blanked Janesville Parker, 25-0, in Level 1 and has shutout three of its last five opponents.
Passini had a big game against Verona in Week 4 with 227 passing yards and touchdown strikes to Isaiah Oliver, Elijah Coleman and Damien Hansbro. Passini also ran for 99 yards.
Passini will have to be that good again — and maybe better — if the Cardinals hope to emerge victorious.
“Obviously they’re very good,” Simon said. “They’re undefeated conference champs, so they deserve the (No.) 2 seed, if not a 1 seed. We’ve got to play our best game.
“I told the kids the good news is we won (in Level 1). The other good news is we still haven’t played our best game. So let’s look forward to playing our best game next week because we’re going to need to do that.”
Third, the Cardinals can't dig themselves a huge hole again, like they did during their first meeting with Verona.
The Wildcats managed just one first down and 45 second half yards in the first game. By that point, though, Middleton’s deficit was simply too great to escape.
The Cardinals are healthier than they were back in Week 4. They’re brimming with confidence thanks to their six-game winning streak.
And they believe they’re poised for revenge.
“We’re excited. We’ve got to be sharp in practice this week and just play our game,” junior tight end Drew Cooney said. “We’re just looking to play our game.”
Added Pilof: “We’re definitely certainly excited. The first game didn’t go our way, now we’re full strength again.”
