DeForest defense leads football win over Oregon

DeForest relied on its defense and a single score to claim its first football victory of the season against Oregon.

In its third road game in as many weeks, DeForest leaned on a stubborn defensive effort to defeat the Oregon Panthers 8-7 on Friday, Sept. 4 to open Badger-Large play.

“I’m really proud of the players and coaches for the game plan this past week,” DeForest coach Todd Grundahl said. “They did a great job coming in with a plan and sticking to it, and of course, the players executing it.”

In the defensive slugfest, neither team scored in the first or second quarters. Oregon scored the first touchdown of the game on their first drive of the third quarter, taking a 7-0 lead over DeForest.

That lead held until the fourth quarter before DeForest made their push.

Defensive performance

Early in the fourth quarter, threatening to find the end zone, senior quarterback Tru Killerlain scrambled to his right. He rushed for a five-yard touchdown with 8:34 remaining.

DeForest opted for a two-point conversion. They completed it on a pitch to senior Cooper Brown, who rushed to the left side of the end zone untouched.

Before DeForest even scored, Coach Grundahl said he knew his team was going for the two-point conversion in an attempt to take the lead.

“We felt our defense was playing so well that even if we didn’t get it, we’d still be able to hold them and get the ball back,” Grundahl said.

Indeed, DeForest got the ball right back.

With Oregon inside their own 40-yard line, senior cornerback Gabe Wahl picked off the quarterback near the Panthers’ 15-yard line with 5:31 remaining.

It was DeForest’s second interception of the game. Senior linebacker Gabe Lavold picked up a key interception inside Oregon’s 19-yard line with 8:16 remaining in the second quarter.

Senior linebacker Gabe Lavold picked up DeForest's first of two interceptions on the evening. Lavold’s interception came in the second quarter inside Oregon’s 19-yard line. DeForest’s second interception came from senior cornerback Gabe Wahl inside the Panthers’ 15-yard line with less than six minutes in the fourth quarter.

But Oregon threatened to score one last time. Facing third-and-9 from the 34-yard line with just 50 seconds remaining, the Panthers rushed up the middle. They were one yard short of a first down.

That one final stop encapsulated a valiant defensive performance from DeForest.

“Our defense did a tremendous job against the run,” Coach Grundahl said. “We were able to knock down some passes, do some good things, and put some pressure on the quarterback. Our defense played lights out.”

“I think (our defense) stepped it up another notch.”

Grundahl also credited DeForest's offensive line, which helped DeForest rush for over 100 yards Friday evening.

“Our O-line played phenomenal; they gave us a good push up front,” he said.

Killerlain led DeForest in rushing yards with 55, while seniors Carsten Schaus and Dalton Lee each rushed for 30 or more yards. Schaus recorded 39 yards on nine carries, while Lee raced for 30 yards on 13 carries. Junior Caden Abrams chipped in with seven rushing yards.

Additional details

Killerlain has led DeForest in rushing yards in each game this year.

“It’s a great dynamic to have,” Grundahl said on Killerlain’s rushing abilities. “It adds that third head to your arsenal that you’re trying to get.”

On the receiving end, seniors Cooper Brown (wide receiver) and Owen Taylor (tight end) each caught for 26 yards. Killerlain tossed for 52 yards total on 6-for-11 completions and two interceptions.

Defensively, senior linebacker Bryar Herring led DeForest in tackles with six, while seniors Brody Schmidt (defensive tackle), Dane Faas (linebacker) and Gabe Lavold (linebacker) each corralled four tackles apiece. Senior defensive end Brayden Courtier registered one sack for DeForest.

Up next for DeForest is a quick turnaround. DeForest returns home for the first time this year on Thursday, Sept. 11 against Sun Prairie East. To follow, they’ll host crosstown rival Waunakee on Friday, Sept. 18.

Week 3 Badger-Large Scores

Waunakee 35, Sun Prairie East 0

Monona Grove 42, Milton 7

DeForest 8, Oregon 7

Sun Prairie West 36, Watertown 14