Bennington Falls to Millard North 35-0 on Senior Night; Badgers Turn Focus to Playoffs

3–4 minutes

By Marisa Dawson, Photos by Marisa Dawson & Jeff Douglas

A football team and supporters standing in a line on a track at dusk, wearing blue uniforms and cheering.

The Bennington Badgers closed the regular season with an 8-1 record after a 35-0 non-conference loss to Millard North on Friday night at home. The Mustangs, also finishing 8-1, controlled the game from the opening drive and held Bennington scoreless in a dominant defensive effort.

Millard North scored in the first three quarters, building a 7-0 lead after one, extending it to 21-0 by halftime, and adding two more touchdowns in the third for a 35-0 final. The Mustangs piled up 303 rushing yards.

Bennington managed limited production. Quarterback Mason Bluhm (pictured below) completed 15 of 27 passes for 113 yards with one interception. Running back William Gutz carried 17 times for 22 yards, and Lane Molacek led the receivers with six catches for 72 yards.

A football player in a blue jersey with the number 10 is preparing to throw a football while another player wearing a white jersey with the number 33 is attempting to block the pass. The scene is set on a football field at night.

Head coach Kam Lenhart pointed to missed tackles and the visitors’ athleticism as key factors.

“I’d say defensively, we started with tackling. I think we had a lot of missed tackles,” Lenhart said. “We’ll have to set it out and see what it looks like. But that really was the big thing. They have great athletes and they have speed, and we just got outmatched, outnumbered a couple times. So those are things we’ll have to adjust on.” He added that despite having some opportunities, the combination of mistakes and the Mustangs’ defense did not bode well for the Badgers.

The loss came on senior night, with the football seniors honored before the game as they were escorted onto the field by their families. Band seniors were recognized at halftime.

A high school football player in a blue uniform with the number 12 is throwing a football, with several teammates running in the background during a night game.

The football seniors, listed by jersey number, are: Baylor Uhing (2), Braydan Kloster (4), Dominic Driggs (5), Harrison Henke (6), Carson Cebreros (7), Owen Vernon (8) (pictured below), Ty Bouaphakeo (12) (pictured above), Parker Douglas (15), Gabriel Nickel (16), Jay Stahlecker (17), William Gutz (20), Jamison Theis (24), Cohen Detjens (26), Cruz Nichols (33), Brett Langan (51), Jackson Rauscher (54), Kellen Mlnarik (55), Brody Lichty (57), Preston Sheets (71), Sterling Sharp (84), Charles Beard (94), Nathan Smith (96), and Emery Goolsby (98).

A high school football game with several players in blue and white uniforms attempting to tackle an opponent carrying the ball. The scene depicts action on the field with players engaged in a competitive play.

Lenhart spoke highly of the senior class.

“Oh, it’s a special class, for sure,” he said. “Some of those guys have been playing since they were sophomores. Very talented class. But what I would tell you is a tremendous group that just has or embraces the idea of mudita- genuine happiness for others’ success. So they’re a special class. I’m glad that they were able to come out tonight and perform under the lights with their parents watching.”

The BHS marching band and color guard seniors were also honored during their halftime performance. Seniors honored included: CJ Ahrendsen, Chloe Bishop, Jazlene Gonzalez, Lexi Grimes, Mia Hillen, Jacie Johnson, Campbell Manz, Liliana Martic, Collin Mattingly, James Passolt, Lilly Pringle, Grayson Reed, Sterling Sharp (pictured below, left), Katherine Sukraw, Hazel Swedberg, Gabe Walsh, Zane Walter, Madison Webb, Prise Yates, and Daxton Zappia (pictured below, right).

A football player in a blue jersey, number 84, kneels while holding a trumpet as a band conductor in a blue and black uniform raises a white plumed hat above him, celebrating a moment during a performance.

While Dance and Cheer team members could be spotted sporting their senior sashes as well, the official senior night for those teams will take place during the winter season.

Despite the shutout, Lenhart emphasized the team’s resilience and the opportunity ahead.

“It starts off with what we said at the beginning. This is just a test to see where we’re at by the end of the year. We know now we have things that we definitely have to improve on. In a sense, it’s a new season now. Let’s see what the playoffs come out and who we got and just go from there. You can take this as a sulky moment or a learning opportunity.”

A high school football player in a blue uniform running with the ball while avoiding a tackle from a player in a blue and white uniform. A crowd of spectators is visible in the background.

He added that reviewing the footage from the night will reveal more details, but the effort stood out.

“What I took from this is our kids never stop fighting. I think they play to the very end, and that’s good stuff. As long as we continue to do that, we continue to show up Monday through Thursday and take care of that, we’ll take care of the other stuff on our own.”

Bennington now turns its attention to the postseason. The Badgers host Lincoln Southwest in the first round of the playoffs this Friday night at home.

Senior night photos by Marisa Dawson:

A football player in a blue uniform walks on a track, flanked by two adults, one holding flowers, during a sports event.
A high school football player in a blue jersey, accompanied by his parents, walks on the track during a senior night celebration. The player carries a bouquet of flowers, while the parents wear blue shirts.
A high school football player in a blue uniform and helmet walks arm in arm with his parents on a football field. The father wears a blue shirt and holds a football, while the mother, dressed in a blue 'Seniors' shirt, carries flowers. The scene takes place during a senior night event under a twilight sky.
A football player in a blue jersey number 6 walks on a track, accompanied by a man in a black Badgers Football shirt and a woman in a white jersey with blue stripes. They are presenting flowers as part of a ceremony, with other team members visible in the background.
A teenager in a blue football uniform is walking on a track, accompanied by a woman in a white jersey and a man in a blue sweatshirt. They are celebrating a special occasion during a football event at dusk.
A football player in a blue uniform with the number 8 walks on a track, flanked by a man holding a football helmet and a woman holding flowers, during a senior recognition event at a stadium.
A high school football player wearing a blue and white uniform walks on the track with two adults, one in a black shirt and the other in a white shirt, during a sports event at dusk.
A football player in a blue jersey walks on a track with a woman holding flowers, accompanied by another man, under a twilight sky. A scoreboard displaying 'Thank You Seniors' is in the background.
A football player in a blue jersey walks on the track, flanked by a man and a woman. The man wears a blue shirt and holds a football helmet, while the woman wears a jersey and holds flowers. A scoreboard is visible in the background.
A high school football player in a blue jersey with the number 17 walks on a track, flanked by a man in a blue shirt and a woman in a blue top holding flowers. Other football players and spectators are visible in the background during a celebration event.
A football player in a blue jersey walks on a track with a woman holding flowers, accompanied by a man in a grey shirt, during a sports event at sunset.
A football player in blue and white uniform walking with a coach and a woman, holding flowers, on a track field during sunset.
A high school football player in a blue uniform, number 26, smiling and walking hand-in-hand with his parents on a track during a sunset. One parent holds a bouquet of flowers.
A football player wearing a blue jersey with the number 33 walks on the track with a woman holding flowers, accompanied by a man in a black shirt. A group of football players can be seen in the background.
A senior football player in a blue jersey with 'Badgers' written on it walks on a track holding hands with a woman in a white jersey who is carrying flowers. They are escorted by a coach and a group of teammates.
A senior football player in a blue uniform walks on the track with his parents during a recognition event. The sky is a mix of pink and purple hues at sunset.
A football player in blue uniform number 55 walks on a track with two adults, a man in a black shirt and a woman in a blue shirt, during a sports event.
A high school football player in a blue jersey, number 57, is walking on a track surrounded by family. He is flanked by a woman holding flowers and a man wearing a Bennington Football hoodie. The sunset adds a warm glow to the scene, and other players can be seen in the background.
A football player wearing blue jersey number 71 walks on a blue track, accompanied by a woman in a white jersey and a man in a blue shirt. They are part of a sports event, with other team members visible in the background.
A high school football player in a blue uniform, flanked by his parents, walks on the track during a recognition event. The mother holds a bouquet of flowers, and the group is surrounded by teammates in the background.
A young football player in a blue jersey walks on a track with his parents, one holding a bouquet of flowers, during a sports event at a stadium.
A high school football player wearing a blue jersey walks on the field with his parents, one wearing a blue polo shirt and the other in a white jersey, holding flowers.
A football player in a blue jersey walks on a track, flanked by a man wearing a gray shirt and a woman in a white jersey, both holding a blue football. The background features a scoreboard and an American flag.
A group of cheerleaders in black and blue uniforms with pink pom-poms posing in front of a crowd, some wearing pink attire, holding a sign that reads 'IN OCTOBER WE WEAR PINK'.
A group of six cheerleaders posing together on a football field, wearing cheerleading uniforms and holding pink pom-poms.
Five cheerleaders posing together in matching outfits and 'Senior 2023' sashes at a school event, with a crowd in the background.
A marching band posed for a group photo on a sports field at night, with members in blue and white uniforms, some holding instruments. The band includes musicians and color guard members, all smiling.

Game Photos by Jeff Douglas:

A large crowd of students wearing pink clothing gathered at a stadium, promoting breast cancer awareness with a banner that reads 'In October We Wear Pink.' The sky is vibrant with sunset colors.
Cheerleaders holding a banner that reads 'Together We Fight' at a nighttime sports event, with a crowd in the background.
A group of cheerleaders performing a jump with pom-poms during a night sports event, with a large crowd in the background.
A lineup of high school football players wearing blue uniforms, standing on the field at night.
A group of four coaches or team members on the sidelines of a football game, posing playfully with sports equipment in a nighttime setting.
A high school football player wearing a white jersey with blue accents dodges a tackle on a grassy field, while teammates and opponents are in motion around him.
A high school football player in blue uniform is tackling an opponent in white uniform during a game, with spectators in the background.
A high school football player wearing a white jersey runs the ball while being pursued by defenders in blue jerseys on a football field.
A high school football game in action, featuring players in blue and white uniforms. A player wearing number 20 is running with the ball while being pursued by an opponent from the opposing team.
A dynamic scene of a high school football game, showing players in blue uniforms on the field. One player, number 0, is attempting to tackle an opposing player, while teammates support from the side.
An intense high school football game in progress, with players in blue uniforms (representing the Badgers) on defense, while an opposing player in white attempts to advance the ball.
A football player in blue jersey number 20 dives to catch a football on a field at night.
A high school football player in a blue jersey number 10 prepares to throw a football while being defended by players on the field.

Game Photos by Marisa Dawson:

A football player in a blue uniform evades a tackle as two opposing players in white and blue uniforms attempt to bring him down during a night game.
A youth football player in a blue uniform, wearing jersey number 12, is preparing to pass the ball during a nighttime game, while teammates in the background are in motion.
A football player in a blue uniform and helmet kicking a ball on a field, with spectators in the background during a night game.
A football player in a blue uniform labeled 'Badgers' evades a tackle from an opponent, while another player in the background runs on the field.
A group of cheerleaders in sparkling uniforms performing at a nighttime sports event, with the crowd in the background.
A group of cheerleaders performing a synchronized routine on a football field at night, wearing black and blue uniforms with sparkles.
A group of cheerleaders performing a dance routine on a football field at night, wearing black and blue cheer uniforms with glitter accents and face paint.
A female musician wearing a blue and black marching band uniform plays an electric bass guitar on a football field, with additional band members performing in the background.
A young female percussionist playing a xylophone, wearing a blue and black marching band uniform, while fellow band members in the background are performing.
A performer in colorful attire dances while holding a flag during a marching band performance on a football field.
A marching band performing on a field at night, with members wearing blue and black uniforms. A musician plays a flute while others hold various instruments, contributing to the band ensemble.
A musician in a blue and black marching band uniform plays the clarinet, with a focused expression. In the background, other band members are visible, also in uniform.
A drummer in a blue and black uniform playing a drum set during a marching band performance at night. A color guard member can be seen in the background.
A marching band performing during a night event, featuring musicians playing brass instruments and drums, dressed in black and blue uniforms with feathered hats.
Marching band member playing a saxophone, wearing a black uniform with blue accents and a tall, feathered hat.
A young musician in a blue football jersey playing a tuba on a sports field, surrounded by fellow band members.
A marching band member playing the flute wearing a blue and black uniform and a matching hat.
A marching band member in a blue and white uniform saluting on stage.
A football team in blue uniforms prepares to snap the ball, lined up on the field, facing an opposing player in a white and green uniform.
A high school football player in blue and white uniform successfully catches the ball while diving on the field, with teammates and spectators in the background.
A football player in a blue jersey, with 'Badgers' written on it, spins away from a defender while preparing to throw the ball during a night game.
A football player in a blue jersey jumps to intercept a pass while another player in a white jersey attempts a catch during a night game. Other players are in the background.
A football player in blue tackles an opposing player in a white uniform on a green field during a night game.

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