Fondy Heads to Appleton East

It's amazing how fast the high school football season flys by. We are at week #4 of the season, which is in fact the so-called "halfway" point of the Friday night games as the final game of the regular season is on either Wednesday or Thursday. It also amazes me that you can go through almost half a season and final have the first "normal" week of practice...meaning that the kids are in school for the full week with the normal practice schedule after school. With teams starting so early now and school starting later and later...and then the Labor Day holiday, it took this long to get to a "normal" week.

Last week Fondy picked up a HUGE win on the road at Neenah. I look at Fondy, Neenah, Menasha, and Oshkosh North as so called "middle of the pack teams." or teams that may not have enough to win a conference title, but have enough to make the playoffs. Getting a road win at Neenah was big for Fondy to take another step to getting that 5th win of the season and qualifying for the post-season.

The way Fondy did it was also impressive. The Cards were rolling in the first half, when QB Ben Anderson went down with an injury. Sophomore Joe Bertram came in and as coach Koz said "managed" the game well and didn't do anything to put the Cards in danger of losing the lead.

On defense, it got scary for the Cards. Neenah went to a Power-I in the 3rd quarter and ran all over Fondy, and it looked like they would score at will and run away from the Cards. That didn't happen though. After two TDs, Fondy made some adjustments on defense and shut down the Rockets and held on for the win after a big play by Paul Biolo in the secondary to secure the win.

The Cards showed great character in picking up the win. In fact both of their wins this season have been close, which should bode well for them down the stretch of the season.

This week its off to winless Appleton East. The Patriots are 0-3 but a few mistakes have cost them games, so it won't be a cake-walk for the Cardinals. Fondy would love to have Ben Anderson back at QB on Friday night, but if not, I'm sure Joe Bertram will do fine.

Let's face it, this game on Friday night is a game Fond du Lac should win, leaving them at 3-1 on the season. With two tough games coming up, at home against Menasha and at Oshkosh West, a win would be big for momentum, and keep them on track for the playoffs.

If you can't make it to Appleton East, you can hear the game on News-Talk 1450 KFIZ. The kickoff is set for 7pm. Our high school coverage begins at 6pm with the Trepanier's Backyard Grill Friday Night Kickoff Show. That show will broadcast live from Fruth Field as Springs gets set to host Mayville.

I'll see you at the game!

PS...Thanks for the hat! (You know who you are!)