Despite scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter, Brookfield East fell just short in a 35-34 loss to Marquette University High School on Friday night.Â
“It was a great program win,” Marquette University High School coach Keith Klestinski said. “Our players believed in themselves and each other and never gave up.”
Both teams exchanged touchdowns in the first quarter as Marquette University quarterback Luke Novotny connected on a 46-yard touchdown pass with Nick Ferge, before Simon Lupton used a 37-yard touchdown run to tie the game for Brookfield East. Marquette University responded in the second quarter with two unanswered touchdowns with a nine yard rushing touchdown from Andrew Gengler and a 10-yard touchdown pass from Novotny to Frankie Collopy to grab a 21-7 halftime lead.
Marquette University and Brookfield East again exchanged touchdowns in the third quarter as Novotny scored a one-yard rushing touchdown before Schmainda connected with Lupton on a 78-yard touchdown pass as Marquette went into the fourth quarter with a 28-14 lead.Â
Both teams exchanged scores early in the fourth as both Schmainda and Novotny threw touchdown passes in the early minutes of the quarter as Marquette University led 35-21 with 8:29 left in the game.Â
Schmainda added on a rushing touchdown before connecting on a 21-yard touchdown pass with Nate Munnagle to make it 35-34. Schmainda failed to convert the two point conversion as Brookfield East fell one point short.Â
“We have known all year that we can play like this we were just too inconsistent,” Klestinski said. “I believe that our athletes on the defensive side are becoming more confident and improving at just the right time.”
Schmainda led the Brookfield East passing attack with 253 yards and three touchdowns, and also ran for 71 yards on the ground. Novotny led the Marquette University passing attack with 167 yards and three touchdowns, while Gengler ran for 217 yards on 36 carries.Â
“The ability to balance our offense is huge and critical to us keeping defenses on their heals,” Klestinski said. “We are getting healthier on the offensive line and that is making a big difference.”
Brookfield East falls to 6-2 with the loss, while Marquette University improves to 3-6. Brookfield East travels to Sussex Hamilton next week, while Marquette University hosts West Allis Hale in the final week of the regular season.
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