JANESVILLE -- Energy, excitement and second-half touchdowns filled Monterey Stadium as Janesville Craig's football team took on Sun Prairie West in Friday's season opener.
The Cougars' run game dominated the show, finishing with 285 rushing yards in a 42-8 non-conference victory.
The Cougars focused on their passing attack in the 2023 season, but on Friday's first drive, the Cougars' bread and butter was handing the ball off to senior running back Braden Tyler, who got the game's first touchdown after a 4-yard run.
Tyler finished the night with 144 yards on 20 carries. Friday's game may have shown the Cougars offensive success for the 2024 season will come from power run plays, with a pass-second approach.
However, Tyler wasn’t the only Cougar who found success on the ground with senior quarterback Paul Platts rushing for 44 yards on six attempts, and junior running back Sam Piper having 97 yards on just six carries.
“Braden Tyler had just short of 150 yards on the ground and three TDs. Sam Piper was great in his opportunities, scoring twice,” Janesville Craig football coach Joe Brannan said.
The Cougars started the game at the 45-yard line after being set up by a 28-yard return from Tyler, who capped the series with the aforementioned 4-yard score.
Tyler found paydirt again -- this time from 15 yards away -- and senior placekicker Baylen Woodman's second of six successful point after attempts made it 14-0.
The second half of the contest featured many of the same themes from the first. The Sun Prairie Wolves had a tough time getting their offense to click, while the Cougars began to ramp things up, adding on four more touchdowns in the remaining two quarters.
Tyler kicked off the scoring in the second half with a 6-yard run for his third and final touchdown. The Cougars went on to score three more touchdowns, two of them coming from Piper, who capped off a 37-yard run with a touchdown in the third quarter, pushing the Cougars' lead to 28-0.
The Wolves, who were outgained 380-168, got on the board with a touchdown late in the fourth quarter from junior quarterback Peyton Vander Steeg to junior wide receiver Nolan Rustler.
The Cougars showed off the hard work they put into getting better this offseason.
“We really challenged our kids this offseason in the weight room and it showed,” Brannan said. “Our offensive line was dominant all night, helping us run for 275 yards and five touchdowns.”
The first game of a season helps set the tone for the ensuing games. It also shows what a team needs to still work on.
“It was a great night for our program," Brannan said. "Our kids bought into the changes, and believe they can have a special year. There’s lots of stuff to work on and get better this week in practice, as we got a great matchup against Milton."
Craig travels to face Milton next Friday.
JANESVILLE CRAIG 42, SUN PRAIRIE WEST 8
Sun Prairie West 0 0 0 8 -- 8
Janesville Craig 14 0 14 14 -- 42
First Quarter
JC -- Tyler 4 rush (Woodman Kick)
JC -- Tyler 15 rush (Woodman Kick)
Third Quarter
JC -- Tyler 6 rush (Woodman Kick)
JC -- Piper 37 rush (Woodman Kick)
Fourth Quarter
JC -- Bastain 23 interception return (Woodman Kick)
SPW -- Nolan Rustler touchdown reception (Two-Point Conversion).
JC -- Piper 43 run (Woodman Kick)
Team statistics -- Total plays: SPW 59, JC 49; Total yards: SPW 168, JC 380; Passing yards: SPW 105, JC 95; Rushing yards: SPW 63, JC 285; First downs: SPW 14, JC 18; Fumbles lost: SPW 0, JC 1; Interceptions thrown: SPW 1, JC 0; Penalties-yards: SPW 8-57, JC 4-44.
Individual statistics -- Passing (comp.-att.-yds-td-int): SPW Vander Steeg 11-17-105-1-1, JC Platts 5-12-95-0-0; Rushing att.-yds: JC: Tyler 20-144, Piper 6-97, Platts 6-44; Receptions-yards: Daskam 2-39, Arn 1-25.
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