Bennington Secures First Class A Playoff Win, Advances with 42-17 Victory Over Lincoln Southwest

4–7 minutes

By Marisa Dawson, Photos by Marisa Dawson, Jeff Douglas, & Aaden Lee

A high school football team in blue uniforms runs onto the field, led by a player holding a banner. Cheerleaders in black and white outfits cheer from the sidelines, creating an energetic atmosphere.

The Bennington Badgers opened the Class A playoffs with a statement, defeating Lincoln Southwest 42-17 on Friday night at home for the program’s first Class A postseason victory in school history.

Coming off a scoreless regular-season finale against Millard North, Bennington (9-1) responded with a fast start and balanced attack. Quarterback Ty Bouaphakeo accounted for five touchdowns, three passing and two rushing, while completing 25 of 31 passes for 317 yards. Running back Will Gutz added 152 rushing yards and a touchdown as the Badgers controlled the game after the first quarter.

A football player in a blue uniform with the number 12 is throwing a football during a game, while another player in a similar uniform is positioned nearby. The stands are filled with spectators in the background.
Photo by Aaden Lee
A football player in a blue uniform catches a pass while being pursued by a defender in a white and green uniform on a turf field.
Photo by Aaden Lee

Bouaphakeo (pictured above left) found Lane Molacek (pictured below, right) for a 65-yard touchdown just 57 seconds into the contest. After a Lincoln Southwest field goal, he connected with Brayden Kloster (pictured above right) on a 44-yard scoring strike to make it 14-3. The Silver Hawks answered with a touchdown to close the gap to 14-10 late in the first quarter, but Bennington pulled away in the second. Bouaphakeo scored on a pair of short runs and threw a 13-yard touchdown to Molacek, building a 35-17 halftime lead. Gutz (pictured below right) capped the scoring with a 21-yard run in the third quarter. Sophomore kicker Jake Crawford made every extra point with his kicks.

A football player in blue jersey number 9 catches a ball while another player in a white uniform lies on the ground, as teammates and opponents are in the background on the field.
Photo by Jeff Douglas
A high school football player in a blue jersey runs with the ball, attempting to evade a tackle from a player in a green jersey. Other players are visible in the background on a well-lit field.
Photo by Marisa Dawson

The Bennington High School Dance Team performed a number during halftime while they alongside cheer team kept the crowd energized throughout the game. Additionally, the post prom committee held a raffle fundraiser that allowed two raffle winners to face off on the field with a kick-off.

A group of cheerleaders in black uniforms performing energetic dance moves under stadium lights, with their hair flying as they dance joyfully.
Three dancers performing on a football field, wearing black outfits. The dancer in the foreground is in a dynamic pose, while the others express joy and energy.
A group of five dancers performing on a sports field during dusk, wearing black outfits and white sneakers, showcasing energetic movements and expressions.
A group of cheerleaders performing a dance routine under stadium lights, with one cheerleader executing a cartwheel in the foreground and others showcasing various poses in matching black outfits.
A group of cheerleaders wearing black outfits and white sneakers performing on a football field during a night game.
Two cheerleaders performing a stunt during a football game, one standing on top of another while others support them from below.
Two cheerleaders performing a synchronized backflip during a sporting event, with a crowd of spectators in the background.
A cheerleader is being lifted high into the air by teammates during a performance on a track field, with a cloudy sky in the background.

Head coach Kam Lenhart praised the response after the previous week’s shutout.

“It was amazing. It was exactly what we needed to do coming off last week where we didn’t score any points. We needed to come back and the kids took care of us,” Lenhart said.

Big plays on both sides of the ball fueled the win. Lenhart highlighted key moments, including a standout catch and defensive takeaways.

A blue-clad football player attempts to tackle a player in white during a game on a grassy field, with other players and referees in the background.
Jay Stahlecker goes in for the tackle, Photo by Marisa Dawson
A football player in a blue uniform leaps to catch a pass while being defended by a player in a white uniform during a nighttime game.
Knox Naughton jumps to make a catch, Photo by Marisa Dawson
A group of coaches and players on a football sidelines, with several individuals raising their fists in celebration or encouragement under nighttime lighting.
The coaching staff signal their next play, Photo by Jeff Douglas.

“We needed to make big plays on offense, and the kids did it. I know Kloster had a tremendous catch down here over his shoulder. That was a really big play. And then on defense, you know, Tysor (pictured below) is an acrobatic. He kicks the ball up in the air, brings it back. When we take the ball away and when we protect the ball and use it to score, great things happen.”

A football player in a blue uniform with the number 13 is sprinting on a field, while an opponent in a white uniform is nearby. Spectators are visible in the background.
Photo by Marisa Dawson

Senior Will Gutz (pictured below) pointed to the offensive line and ball control as foundations for the performance. “That helps the run game, that establishes our confidence and dominance on offense. And when we control the ball as long as possible, that keeps our defense off the field, keeping them fresh so when they go out there to play, they can play the best possible game.”

A football player in a blue jersey with the number 20 runs with the ball during a night game, while two opposing players chase him.
Photo by Aaden Lee

Gutz also credited preparation for the bounce-back. “Coach Lenhart preaches that confidence comes from your preparation. And we really took a lot of focus and energy towards our preparation this week and making sure that this is the best game of football we’ve played all year.”

Fellow senior Kellen Mlnarik (pictured below, #55) emphasized the historic nature of the win and the group’s mindset. “You know, it’s awesome… Everybody coming together and like Coach Lenhart said, this is our first Class A football playoff win in Bennington High School history. Nobody can take that away from us. We’re just getting better every day. It’s really special to be with these guys that I’ve played growing up with for years and years.”

A group of football players in blue uniforms lined up at the line of scrimmage on a grass field, preparing for a play. Opposing players in green and white uniforms are positioned across from them.
Photo by Jeff Douglas

On competing in Class A this season, Mlnarik added, “I think we just kind of proved a point. I think everybody kind of doubted us going into the season… I feel like within our group, everybody was in the right head space and was ready to make a run. I don’t think anybody internally had doubts. But it’s good to prove that point that we’re here to thrive, not just hang out.”

The victory earned Bennington another week and a home quarterfinal matchup against Elkhorn South this Friday night. Lenhart expects a physical challenge. “Elkhorn South is a very physical team. They love to run the ball, they’re big, they’re strong. I think we’ll see something similar where a team like tonight wanted to run the ball. We have to be able to adjust and we have to make plays in big moments. That’s what happened tonight, and we have to continue to do that.”

A football player in blue gear reaching for a football during a nighttime game, with a defender in gray nearby.
Keeping his eyes on the ball, Lane Molacek makes an impressive grab. Photo by Aaden Lee
A football player wearing a blue jersey and helmet is attempting to tackle an opponent in a white jersey during a game, with a crowd in blue uniforms visible in the background.
Owen Vernon moves in to make a tackle. Photo by Aaden Lee

Gutz said the approach remains consistent. “We’re just going to do what our coaches plan for us to do… We’ve been working for this moment since the summertime and we’re just going to keep on working like it’s any other week. Our goal is the state championships so hopefully we can get to that.”

Mlnarik echoed the one-week-at-a-time mindset: “The message stays the same. It’s just right back to work tomorrow. Film tomorrow morning, get better. And then obviously, every week’s a new week. Got to earn four more practices, so we earn four more tonight, and hopefully next Friday night, we earn four more.”

A football player in a blue and white uniform with the number 15 runs with the ball on a field, while an opposing player in gray attempts to tackle him.
Parker Douglas breaks away with the ball, looking for room to advance downfield. Photo by Marisa Dawson
A blue-clad football player tackles an opponent wearing green during a night game on a well-lit field.
Demarcus Perkins brings down an opposing player, stopping the advance downfield. Photo by Jeff Douglas

Lenhart expressed appreciation for the continued opportunity. “Well, I’m just really happy because they put in so much work… That work that people don’t see behind the scenes, you know, the workouts, all that kind of stuff where we just want that to show up on Friday nights and want them to play football as long as possible. So that’s what I think I’m most excited about.”

Bennington will host Elkhorn South in the Class A quarterfinals Friday night at home.

A group of cheerleaders performing a routine with pom-poms raised in the air on a sports field.
A group of high school football players in blue uniforms, with a coach, gathered near a fence and staircase, preparing for a game.
Cheerleaders holding a banner that reads 'ROUND 1: CHOOSE YOUR CHARACTER' with an image of a blue animal and a green lion logo.
A group of football players in blue uniforms standing in a line on the field, showing team spirit and readiness for a game.
A football player in a blue uniform, number 15, leaps to catch a football while a defender in white attempts to block the pass, with a crowd of spectators in the background.
A football player in a blue jersey with the number 9 prepares to catch a pass while a defender in a white jersey approaches. A spectator in the background watches the game.
A football player in blue uniform prepares to kick a football while another player kneels on the field during a game.
Two football players in blue jerseys labeled 'Badgers' attempt to tackle an opposing player in a white jersey during a game on a green field.
A high school football player in blue uniform jumps over a tackle attempt from a player in white uniform during a game.
A football player in a blue uniform with the number 4 catches a football while two defenders in white and green uniforms attempt to tackle him.
A high school football game in action, featuring players in blue and white uniforms from the Badgers team and green and white uniforms from the Southwest team. One player in blue is in motion, evading defenders.
A football player in a blue uniform number 86 runs on a grassy field while kicking a football, surrounded by spectators and photographers capturing the action.
A high school football game in progress, featuring two teams lined up at the line of scrimmage. The blue team, wearing matching jerseys and helmets, is set to snap the ball while the white team, in contrasting colors, prepares for defense. Spectators are visible in the background.
A football player in a blue uniform, labeled 'Badgers', is evading a tackle from an opponent in a gray uniform during a game on a grassy field, with other players in the background.
A football player in a white uniform evades a tackle from an opponent in a blue uniform on the field, with a referee in the background.
A high school football game with players in blue and white uniforms on the field. A quarterback in blue is running with the ball, while a defender in white attempts to tackle him. Teammates are blocking to provide support.
A football player wearing a white uniform is sprinting while being tackled from behind by a blue uniformed player. Two other players in blue uniforms are visible in the background.
A football team in blue uniforms is lined up for a play on the field, facing an opposing team in silver helmets. The scene is set in the evening with floodlights illuminating the players.
A high school football player in a blue uniform throws a pass while being pressured by a defender, with a referee and other players in the background.
Two male players practicing a football kick on a field during a night game, with a crowd of spectators in the stands.
A scene from a night sports event showing a crowd in the stands, while a coach or trainer attends to a player kneeling on the field.
A crowd of spectators in blue attire gathered in bleachers at an outdoor event, with a marching band performing on the field. The band is playing various instruments, and a conductor is leading them. The evening sky is visible in the background.
A football player wearing a white jersey with 'Southwest' on the front struggles to evade a blue opponent in mid-tackle on a grassy field during a night game.
A football player wearing a blue uniform with the number 16 attempts to evade a tackle from an opposing player in a white uniform during a night game on a well-lit field.
A football player in blue and white gear runs on the field at night, holding a football.
A high school football player in a blue uniform with 'Badgers' written on it is throwing a football during a night game. Several teammates and spectators are visible in the background.
A high school football game in action, featuring a player in blue jersey tackling an opponent in white jersey, with teammates from both teams visible on the field.
A football player in a blue jersey is being tackled by a defender in white, both players are on a football field with artificial turf.

Photos by Jeff Douglas:

A football player (number 86) kicks the ball while a teammate holds it in preparation for a field goal attempt, with a crowd of spectators in the background.
Two high school football players in blue uniforms attempting to tackle an opponent in white as spectators watch in the background.
A football player in a white uniform with 'SOUTHWEST' printed on it kicks the ball while another player in a blue uniform jumps to attempt a catch during a game on a green field.
A group of people at a sporting event, with some dressed in ghost costumes wearing sunglasses. In the background, several fans are enjoying the game, smiling and posing for the camera.
Two individuals on a football field at night, one is throwing a football while the other observes, with a scoreboard displaying 17 points and a timer in the background.
A football player in a white uniform attempts to catch the ball while being tackled by an opposing player in a blue uniform, with a referee observing the play in the background.
A football player in blue jersey and helmet throws a pass while being pursued by an opponent in a green and white uniform on a field at night.
A football player in blue catches a pass while defenders in white attempt to intercept it on a bright, well-lit field during a nighttime game.
Two football players in blue uniforms celebrate a touchdown by jumping and embracing each other on a field during a night game, with a crowd visible in the background.
A football player in a blue jersey with 'BADGERS' printed on it is running on a green field, evading two opposing players in white and grey uniforms.
A high school football game in progress at night, featuring players in blue and white uniforms. A blue player is throwing the ball while several defenders are attempting to intercept.
A high school football player in gray and green is being tackled by a player in blue and white on the field during a game, with teammates observing in the background.
A football player in a blue uniform attempts to evade a tackle from an opponent in a white uniform during a game, with teammates and spectators in the background.
A high school football game in progress, with a player in blue attempting to evade two defenders in green while several other players and spectators are visible in the background.

Photos by Aaden Lee:

A football player in a blue jersey leaps over an opposing player in a white jersey, while another player in the background prepares to pursue.
A football player in a blue jersey with the number 11 is attempting to catch a football on a field, wearing pink gloves, with spectators in the background.
A football player in a blue uniform tackles an opponent in a white uniform on the field during a game.
A high school football player in a blue uniform catches the ball while being tackled by an opposing player in green. The crowd is visible in the background.
A football game in action with players in blue uniforms attempting to tackle an opposing player in gray. The scene captures a dynamic moment with players in motion on a green field, under stadium lights.

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