Badgers Football Dominates Columbus 51-10 in Special 9/11 Home Victory

3–5 minutes

By Marisa Dawson, Photos by Marisa Dawson & Jeff Douglas

A wide view of a football field filled with players and officials, with a large crowd of spectators seated in the bleachers in the background, under a cloudy sky.

The Bennington Badgers continued their perfect start to the 2026 season with a decisive 51-10 non-conference win over the Columbus Discoverers on Friday night, September 11, at home. The victory improved Bennington to 3-0 while dropping Columbus to 2-1.

The night carried extra meaning as the community marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Members of the Bennington American Legion Post 266 presented the colors and raised the flag as the Bennington High School Marching Band performed the National Anthem. A traveling memorial featuring a piece of the World Trade Center, brought by the Irvington Volunteer Fire Department, was on display in the parking lot. At halftime, first responders and military personnel were honored, with local first responders on duty gathering on the field for recognition.

A group of several men in uniform, including a flag bearer, walking in formation on a grassy area near a sports field.
Veterans standing in formation during a flag ceremony, with American flags displayed and a scoreboard in the background.
A group of veterans in uniform carefully folding an American flag during a ceremonial event.
A man in a military-style cap and white shirt is preparing to raise an American flag, holding it with one hand while adjusting the mechanism with the other.

On the field, Bennington controlled the game from the start. The Badgers opened with a scoop-and-score touchdown by senior Cruz Nichols (pictured below, left) on the opening drive. Columbus answered with a long touchdown run by Xavien Lopez-Long in the second quarter, but Bennington responded quickly as senior quarterback Ty Bouaphakeo connected with junior Lane Molacek (pictured below, right) for a score. The Badgers led 17-10 at halftime before pulling away in the second half.

A football player in a blue uniform with the number 33 runs across the field, holding a football. In the background, spectators watch the game and a photographer sits nearby.
A football player in blue uniform running for a touchdown, with a digital scoreboard displaying the number 40 in the background, while an opposing player in a white uniform trails behind.

Despite the eventual 41-point margin of victory, head coach Kam Lenhart said the Badgers faced moments of adversity throughout the game, particularly in the first half.

“In the first half, I felt like we were in control but didn’t have the points to show it,” Lenhart said. “Our defense was playing lights out, and we were moving the ball offensively but only had 17 going into halftime.”

Penalties and mistakes threatened to slow the Badgers’ momentum, but Lenhart said the team’s response to those setbacks was one of the most impressive aspects of the night.

“I was really impressed on how our team handled setbacks caused by ourselves,” Lenhart said. “Whether it was a mistake or a penalty, we didn’t let it get to us. We kept pushing through, focusing on the next play, and eventually accomplished what we knew we could do!”

Two high school football players in blue uniforms are executing a play on the field, with one player handing off the football to the other while fans watch in the background.
Will Gutz takes the ball from Ty Bouaphakeo.

Bouaphakeo finished an efficient night, completing 10 of 13 passes for 96 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. He also added 48 rushing yards on 12 carries. Senior running back Will Gutz paced the ground attack with 14 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown. The Badgers amassed 188 rushing yards and 96 passing yards for 284 total yards of offense.

Receiving touchdowns went to Braydan Kloster and Bryce White (33-yard score) along with Molacek. Mason Bluhm scored on a short run, and the defense contributed two more scores: an interception return by Demarcus Perkins and a fumble recovery return by Nichols. Sophomore kicker Jake Crawford (pictured below) was reliable, converting 6 of 7 extra points and adding a 23-yard field goal for nine points.

A high school football player in a blue uniform prepares to kick a football during a game, with spectators in the background.

Defensively, Bennington was stout, recording 80 tackles (including 12 for loss), two sacks (by Harrison Henke and Jay Stahlecker), one interception, two fumble recoveries, and four pass breakups. Stahlecker led with 10 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss.

Lenhart credited the team’s ability to work together across all three phases of the game for its success through the first three weeks of the season.

Group of young fans at a sporting event, wearing patriotic clothing and holding American flags, cheering and celebrating.
The student section was alive with spirit, cheering on the Badgers through every play.

“I think our team has done a tremendous job at playing complementary football in all three games,” Lenhart said. “Each facet of the game has had to step up in a moment, whether it’s been a defensive stop, a big first down completion, or a special teams play that makes a difference in the game. Each one of them has done their job and complemented the other.”

The Badgers’ balanced attack and opportunistic defense produced seven touchdowns in the lopsided win. Bennington will look to stay unbeaten when it hosts Creighton Prep at home again this Friday.

A high school football game in progress, featuring players in blue and white uniforms tackling an opposing player in a white jersey with a red helmet.

With the team now 3-0, Lenhart said the focus remains on the process rather than the undefeated record. He pointed to the team’s approach of staying focused on the present as an important part of maintaining that momentum.

“I think we have to really focus in on our value of being present. Being right here right now our goal in everything we do,” Lenhart said.

A football player in a blue jersey with the number 23 is running with the ball, while a player in a white jersey with the number 8 attempts to tackle him during a night game on a grass field.
Jacob Workman

With each week bringing a new opponent and new challenges, Lenhart said the team’s schedule makes looking too far ahead difficult.

“Each week is going to present its own challenges and if we don’t focus on where we’re at in the moment, we can easily get derailed,” he said. “What I love about our group of kids is that they believe in the process and understanding each week is the most important week for Bennington football.”

A large group of students dressed in patriotic outfits, holding American flags and a banner that reads 'LENHART 2026' with a 'VOTE' symbol, gathered together at a school event.
High school football team running onto the field through a banner held by cheerleaders, with fans cheering in the background.
A group of cheerleaders in white and blue uniforms performing together on a track in front of a large crowd at a sports event.
A group of high school football players wearing blue uniforms with 'Badgers' on them, celebrating on the field. The players are engaged and focused as they prepare for the next play.
A football player in blue uniform, number 13, kneels on the field reaching for a football while teammates and spectators watch in the background.
A football player in a blue uniform running with the ball on the field, with two defenders in white uniforms chasing from behind.
A youth football game in progress, featuring two players in blue uniforms, one preparing to receive a snap from the center. In the background, spectators and cheerleaders are visible.
A group of cheerleaders in white and blue uniforms, standing on a blue track, performing a cheer routine. They are holding pom-poms and smiling, with an American flag visible in the background.
A football player wearing number 86 prepares to kick the ball while another player in blue, number 13, holds it on the ground during a game. Spectators are visible in the background.
A high school football player in a blue jersey with 'Badgers' printed on it runs with the ball, while a player in a white jersey chases him on a grassy field.
A football player in a blue jersey is being tackled by two opponents in white jerseys during a game, while another player lies on the field in the background.
A high school football player in blue jersey number 20 evading multiple opponents in white jerseys during a game on a football field.
Two football players in blue uniforms celebrating a touchdown by jumping and high-fiving on the field, with a camera and spectators in the background.

Photos by Jeff Douglas:

A football player in a blue jersey runs through a banner that reads 'I Pledge Allegiance' with patriotic decorations, while cheerleaders in uniforms cheer in the background at a sports event.
A line of football players in blue jerseys standing on the field with their helmets lined up in front of them, during a team event.
A football player in a blue jersey with the number 86 is preparing to kick a football on a field. The player stands on grass with a blurred background of spectators and equipment.
Two football players in blue jerseys tackle an opposing player in a white jersey on the field during a game.
A high school football player in a white uniform is being tackled from behind by a player in a blue uniform, while another blue-uniformed player is nearby. The scene takes place on a grassy football field with goalposts in the background.
A group of football coaches and players in blue uniforms are gathered on the sidelines during a game, with a crowd of spectators visible in the background.
A football player in blue jersey number 86 kicks a ball during a game at sunset, with an American flag visible in the background.
A football player in a blue jersey crouches on the field, preparing to snap the football to an opposing player in a black and white uniform, with players in the background.
A football player wearing a white jersey with '6' running with the ball while being tackled by an opponent in a blue jersey with '13' during a night game.
A large crowd at a nighttime event, many holding up their phone lights, waving an American flag. The crowd is dressed in patriotic colors, while cheerleaders in white outfits perform in front of them.
A high school football game in progress, featuring players in blue and white uniforms on the field. One player is evading a tackle while others are positioned in the background.
A high school football player in a blue jersey with 'BADGERS' and the number '12' throwing a football on a field during a night game.
A high school football player in a blue uniform with 'Badgers' on the front, wearing number 19, celebrating on the field under stadium lights. A referee in black and white stripes is signaling a play in the background.
A football player is tackled on the field by multiple opposing players during a game.
A blue jersey football player jumps to catch a pass in the end zone while a white jersey player tries to defend during a night game.
A high school football game scene showing players in blue and white uniforms attempting to recover a loose ball on the field, with some players diving toward the ball while others engage in a tackle.
A blue jersey football player is being tackled by two opponents during a night game on a turf field.
Two high school football players in blue uniforms, one quarterback in number 10 jersey preparing to pass the ball, and another player in number 25 jersey running alongside to receive.
A high school football game in action, featuring players in blue and white uniforms engaged in a tackle on the field.

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