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Vesterfelt leads Parker past Craig

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Parker vs. Craig Football

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JANESVILLE — Adam Vesterfelt’s first carry of the game was a forgettable one.

The Janesville Parker High School senior fumbled on the first play from scrimmage in Friday night’s clash with cross-town rival Janesville Craig.

The Cougars would like to forget Vesterfelt’s other 26 carries.

Vesterfelt shredded Craig’s defense for 253 yards and six touchdowns to lead Parker to a 50-23 win in a Big Eight Conference battle for the Monterey Rock at Monterey Stadium.

The 50 points are the most scored in the 45-year history of the city series.

Craig (1-1) cut Parker’s lead to 29-23 midway through the third, but Decker Thompson’s amazing 29-yard scoring run in which the Vikings’ quarterback covered half the field en route to the end zone pushed the lead back to 13. Vesterfelt then put the Cougars away in the fourth quarter with scoring runs of 25 and 77 yards.

“The bottom line is that we didn’t stop pushing, even though we were tired, especially our offensive line,” Vesterfelt said. “I had some big holes, thanks to them because they were able to wear Craig’s defensive line down.

“And Decker’s run was huge. That got us all excited and made us want to work even harder the next time we had the ball.”

Craig capitalized on Vesterfelt's fumble with a 11-play scoring drive to make it 7-0 midway through the first quarter. Vesterfelt tied the game with 2:57 left in the opening quarter on a 1-yard run and gave his team the lead for good with another 1-yard plunge with 8:55 left in the half. Parker went on to a 23-14 halftime lead.

Parker coach Joe Dye said that, while his offense continues to impress, the defense— especially in the secondary—made plays.

“Our secondary took a step forward tonight,” Dye said of the group that intercepted Craig sophomore quarterback Tom Gabower five times. “(Defensive) coach (Dick) Schuh would be the first to tell you that Erik (Albeck) did not have a good game last week back there. Tonight, he made plays, and that’s what good players do.”

Albeck finished with three interceptions, and Tyler Brooks added two more.

Gabower completed eight of 18 passes and rushed for over 100 yards but was victimized by Parker’s athletic corners. Craig senior quarterback Cameron Wright was held out for the second straight week while he recovers from a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Parker took advantage of Albeck’s 60-yard interception return to push the lead to 29-14 early in the second half. Vesterfelt plowed in from four yards with 10:52 left in the third quarter, but the Cougars scored nine straight points to cut the lead to six. A safety and Michael Whittaker’s 51-yard scamper up the middle on a counter trap got Craig within 29-23 with 6:19 left in the third.

Craig coach Ben McCormick said Parker's offense, led by the All-Big Eight two-time first-team selection Vesterfelt, was as good as advertised.

“Give Parker credit. They took it to us tonight,” McCormick said. “They’re a good football team, and we didn't wrap up, at times, like you need to against a back like Vesterfelt. And our offense put our defense in some bad situations, too. Short field, things like that.

“But we did some good things tonight, and I’m proud of our guys. But we definitely have some things to work on.”

Parker finished with 365 yards rushing, while the Cougars had 397 yards of total offense.

Vesterfelt had 95 yards rushing at half, then broke loose for 158 in the second half.

PARKER 50, CRAIG 23

Janesville Craig 7 7 9 0—23

Janesville Parker 7 16 6 21—50

Scoring summary: JC—-Ron Lindgren, 2 run (Monica Speth kick). JP—Adam Vesterfelt, 1 run (Cullin Simonson kick). JP—Vesterfelt, 1 run (kick

failed). JP—Vesterfelt, 7 run (Simonson kick). JC—Darian Sharifi, 27 pass from Tom Gabower (Speth kick). JP—FG, Simonson, 22. JP—Vesterfelt, 4 run (kick failed). JC—Safety, ball snapped out of end zone. JC—Michael Whittaker, 51 run (Speth kick). JP—Decker Thompson, 29 run (Simonson kick). JP—Vesterfelt, 25 run (Simonson kick). JP—Vesterfelt, 77 run (Simonson kick).

Statistics: First downs—JC 14, JP 16. Rushing—JC 45-240, JP 41-365. Yards passing—JC 157, JP 61. Passes—JC 19-9-5, JP 6-5-0. Fumbles--JC 4-1, JP 1-1. Penalties—JC 5-25, JP 4-42.