Bennington Football Remains Perfect with Dominant 47-0 Shutout of Standing Bear

2–4 minutes

By Marisa Dawson, Photos by Jeff Douglas

A group of high school football players in white and blue uniforms running onto the field during a game at dusk.

The Bennington Badgers stayed undefeated Friday night with a decisive 47-0 road victory over Standing Bear in Lincoln.

Senior running back William Gutz (pictured below, left) powered the offense with 266 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 20 carries. Senior quarterback Ty Bouaphakeo completed 18 of 24 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Lane Molacek hauled in three catches for 61 yards and a score, while senior Braydan Kloster and junior Samuel Pitzl also found the end zone through the air. Sophomore Jake Crawford (pictured below, right) converted 5 of 7 extra-point attempts.

A football player wearing a white and blue uniform runs with the ball during a night game, dodging defenders on the field.
A football player in a white uniform with blue accents is about to kick a football during a game. The scene is set against a sunset sky, with other players and a stadium in the background.

Bennington built a 40-0 halftime lead, scoring 19 points in the first quarter and 21 in the second before adding a final touchdown in the fourth.

The Bennington defense delivered a dominant shutout performance, limiting Standing Bear to no points while recording 47 total tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and two fumble recoveries. Junior Demarcus Perkins (pictured below, right) led the pass rush with a sack for an eight-yard loss, while senior Gabriel Nickel (pictured below, left) came up with the team’s lone interception. Seniors Owen Vernon and Jay Stahlecker each recovered a fumble, and several players contributed strong tackle totals, including juniors Mason Thiele and Trey Almond along with senior Harrison Henke, who each finished with five stops.

A football player in a white uniform preparing to catch a football under stadium lights at night.
A football player in a black jersey carrying the ball is being tackled by a player in a white and blue uniform on a turf field during a night game.

Head coach Kam Lenhart called it the team’s most complete performance of the season.

“I thought this was the most ‘complete’ game we have played,” Lenhart said. “Everything worked well in all three facets of the game.”

The Badgers improved to 8-0 and will close the regular season Friday at home against Millard North. Playoffs begin the following week.

Lenhart said the group continues to emphasize daily preparation and staying present as the wins accumulate.

“We emphasize the importance of taking care of Monday through Thursday first,” he said. “One of our beliefs is that we have to be ‘Right Here, Right Now.’ We start every practice by getting centered and reminding ourselves of that belief.”

A high school football player in a white and blue uniform runs with the ball on a field, while other players are engaged in a play in the background.
Knox Naughton
A football player in a white and blue uniform leaps to catch a flying football during a night game at Union Bank Stadium, with the opposing team and spectators visible in the background.
Braydan Kloster

He described the team’s chemistry and confidence as high after 12 weeks of working together, including the preseason.

“I would say both chemistry and confidence are high, and they should be,” Lenhart said. “This group has been playing together for the last 12 weeks when you include the preseason. They understand each other and know how to communicate with one another. As we preach, confidence comes through great preparation. At the end of the day, if our players do everything they can to get better Monday through Thursday, there is no reason they shouldn’t be confident when they step on the field Friday.”

A high school football player in a gray uniform dodges a tackle from a defender in a white and blue uniform while several other players look on during a night game.
Draeden Siebe
A football player in a white uniform with blue accents, number 12, is throwing a football while being chased by an opponent in a black uniform, number 83, during a night game.
Ty Bouaphakeo

Looking ahead to the postseason, Lenhart wants consistent complete games against tougher competition.

“I want to see us put together a ‘complete’ game consistently,” he said. “Every opponent from here on out will be tremendously tough. Taking care of the ordinary things each day will put us in the best position to be successful.”

He also praised the players beyond their on-field results and thanked the community for its support.

A football player wearing a white and blue uniform with 'Bennington' on the front celebrates while holding a football, with a teammate in the background.
Jay Stahlecker
A football player in a white and blue uniform celebrates while holding a football, with a teammate in the background. The scene is set on a football field at night.
Samuel Pitzl

“This group is more than just a great group of football players. More importantly, they are a great group of young men,” Lenhart said. “I believe they do a great job representing what it means to be a Bennington football player, both on and off the field. We truly appreciate the community and the support they show us every week!”

A group of fans cheerfully seated in a stadium, dressed in blue and black attire, some with blankets and hats, enjoying a sporting event.
A high school football game scene with players in black and blue uniforms in an action-packed moment, as one player attempts to tackle another on an artificial turf field.
A high school football game scene at dusk, featuring a player in a black uniform with the number 6 running away from a defender in a blue and white uniform representing Bennington. Two other players can be seen in the background, and the atmosphere is charged with competition.
Two football players celebrate a touchdown on the field, with one player jumping in the air while being lifted by another, and a scoreboard visible in the background.
A football player prepares for a kick while another player holds the ball on the field during sunset.
A football player in a white jersey catches a pass during a night game, with opposing players nearby and a crowd in the background.
A high school football player in a white jersey with blue accents runs with the ball, avoiding defenders during a night game.
A football player wearing a white jersey with blue stripes and the name 'Bennington' runs with the ball while being pursued by two defenders in gray uniforms on a well-lit field.
A football player wearing a white and blue uniform with the number 20 runs with the ball on a field, while a teammate in a similar uniform supports him from the left.
A high school football game in action, featuring players in blue and gray uniforms. One player is tackling another on the field, with a crowd visible in the background.
A football game scene with players in action, featuring a player in gray being tackled by two players in blue jerseys.
A football player in a white uniform with blue accents runs with the ball, surrounded by teammates and opponents on a nighttime field.
A football player in a gray uniform with blue accents catches a pass on a stadium field, while another player in a black uniform attempts to defend. The stands are filled with spectators in the background.
A football player in a white uniform with blue accents is running towards the end zone during a night game, with spectators in the stands in the background.
Two football players celebrating after scoring a touchdown under the goalposts at night, with a referee observing.
A high school football game in progress, featuring players in blue and gray uniforms. A player wearing number 6 is being tackled by an opponent as teammates surround the action.
A group of football players in white uniforms with blue accents from Bennington are tackling an opposing player in a dark gray uniform on the field during a game.
A football player in dark uniforms throws a pass while being challenged by a defender in white uniforms during a night game.
A high school football player in a gray uniform runs with the ball, evading a tackle from an opponent in a white and blue uniform. The referee is visible in the background, observing the play.
A football player in a white and blue uniform, number 12, is preparing to throw a pass on the field during a night game. He is being pressured by a defender in a gray uniform, number 99, while another teammate offers support.
A football player in a white uniform with blue accents running on a field at night, preparing to catch a pass.
A football player in a blue uniform evades an opponent in a gray uniform while running on the field. In the background, a group of players and spectators watch the action.
A football player wearing a white jersey with blue stripes, representing Pennington, runs on the field holding a football. In the background, a referee signals, and the stadium is filled with spectators.
A high school football team preparing for a play on the field at night. Players are in white uniforms with blue accents, huddled around the center who is about to snap the ball.
A football player in a blue uniform from Bennington preparing to throw the ball during a night game, with teammates blocking defenders in the foreground.
A football player in a gray uniform is being tackled by a player in a blue and white uniform during a game, with teammates watching in the background.
A high school football player in a white uniform is being tackled by defenders in dark gray uniforms during a night game on a well-lit field.
A football player in a white jersey with blue accents celebrates with one hand raised after a play, while a referee signals in the background. Another player in a dark uniform walks away.
A high school football game in progress, featuring a player in a white uniform with blue accents evading tackle from two players in gray uniforms. The sidelines are filled with players and coaches in the background.
A football player in a blue uniform is falling backward after being tackled by another player in a black uniform on a sports field at night.
A high school football game with players from two teams in action; one team in blue and white uniforms is attempting to tackle a player in a black uniform, while other players are engaged nearby.
A football player throwing a football during a night game, with two opposing players in the background.
A football player in a white uniform with blue accents runs with the ball, evading defenders on a field at night.
A football game in progress with players from two teams lined up on the field. A referee is overseeing the action as the offense prepares to snap the ball.
A high school football game in progress at night, featuring players in blue and white uniforms. One player is catching a pass while another is attempting to tackle an opponent. The stands in the background are filled with spectators.

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