Just too much for Ashwaubenon

MANITOWOC - Ashwaubenon and Manitowoc entered Friday’s GameTime Game of the Week maybe not in a must-win situation, but knowing a win would certainly make its path to the postseason much easier.

Each team entered the contest at 1-2 on the season, so the winner would move to .500 on the season, where the loser would drop two games below .500.

Maybe not a must-win, but both sides wanted this one desperately, and it showed. Both teams rallied from two-score deficits during the game, but the legs of Ethan Just proved to be difference.

Just scored on two long touchdown runs and rushed for more than 200 yards as the Ships held off Ashwaubenon, 36-26, in a Fox River Classic Conference game at Municipal Field.

“We have a lot of emotion on the team,” Just said. “We get really excited, we don’t get down. We were playing from behind all game and then we just stepped it up.”

“I give credit to both teams,” Manitowoc coach John Dixon said. “You have a couple teams that have struggled a little bit and neither team gave up. It was hard fought, back and forth.”

Just breaks some big runs
The most crucial plays in the game came from Just. The junior scored two second-half touchdowns that ignited an offense that last week scored just 14 points in a home loss.

Just’s first TD came from 45 yards on the third play of the third quarter to put Manitowoc up 21-12. Ashwaubenon then answered with two touchdowns to grab a 26-21 lead after three quarters.

But the fourth quarter was all Manitowoc’s. After forcing a fumble, Manitowoc’s Tucker Kielsmeier scored his second TD of the game on a 5-yard run to put the Ships up, 29-26.

Then after the defense held Ashwaubenon, Just put the nail in the coffin when he exploded for a 67-yard TD run midway through the fourth quarter.

“We ran that earlier in the game and it wasn’t there,” Just said. “I hit it too fast. I just waited a little bit more and I waited for the hole to be there and it was just there.”

Dixon was pleased to see Just have a big game as he has experienced a position switch.

“Ethan’s a special kid, a special talent,” Dixon said. “He’s been frustrated because he was our starting halfback and our starting fullback got injured and we moved Ethan to fullback. He’s had a tough time. He’s not used to three, four yards at a time.

“At the halfback position he’s used to breaking longer runs. For him to pop a couple long runs, I think he had his confidence back.”

Just, who rushed for 226 yards, is like any running back when he has a good game — he credits the offensive line.

“It’s all about the line really,” Just said. “We ran the same plays all day. The guys just blocked.”

Ships drive to the end
After Just’s TD, Ashwaubenon went three-and-out and Manitowoc took possession with 5 minutes, 46 seconds to play. Knowing Manitowoc was going to run the ball to take time off the clock, the Jaguars were attacking the line of scrimmage, but somehow Manitowoc persevered.

Manitowoc recorded three first downs and ran out the clock, never giving Ashwaubenon a chance to rally.

“To me the most impressive thing about our kids was at the end when they had to put the game away and not give them the ball back; we had a chance to get a couple first downs and just finished the game,” Dixon said.

Manitowoc in position
The Ships reach the halfway point of the season at 2-2 and in a much better spot than Ashwaubenon when clinching a playoff spot is being discussed. Furthermore, Manitowoc has just one home game the rest of the season, so Friday’s home win was big, knowing it’s always tougher to win on the road.

“It’s big,” Just said. “We practiced harder (this week). Our coaches said they never seen a team practice like that the last five years. We just need keep the win streak going. It’s not going to stop us. I’m glad we came out on top.”

• Notes: Jake Imig had 3 catches for 42 yards and two TDs for Ashwaubenon. … Manitowoc’s defense forced four turnovers, two INTs by Nick Spurney and an INT and fumble recovery by Trevor Terp. … The Ships also had a an interception returned for a TD called back. … The teams were scoreless in the first quarter, but scored 62 combined points in the final three quarters. … Manitowoc’s Nick Schroeder scored on a 23-yard QB draw on fourth down in the second quarter. … Ashwaubenon QB Kyle Mrozinski missed the game with a high ankle sprain. … Ashwaubenon QB James Morgan was 10 for 30 for 226 yards and three TDs.
• Game ball: Just, whose big runs keyed the Ships.
• Numbers game: 226 Rushing yards for Just.

MANITOWOC 36, ASHWAUBENON 26
Ashwaubenon…0 12 14 0 - 26
Manitowoc……..0 14 7 15 - 36

Scoring Summary
Second Quarter
ASH: Nathan Jarvis 5 yard pass from James Morgan (kick blocked). ASH 6-0.
ASH: Ethan Streble 3 yard fumble return (kick blocked). ASH 12-0
MAN: Tucker Kielsmeier 5 run (Joel Leifer kick). ASH 12-7.
MAN: Nick Schroeder 23 yard run (Leifer kick). MAN 14-12.

Third Quarter
MAN: Ethan Just 45 yard run (Leifer kick). MAN 21-12.
ASH: Jake Imig 23