The Hortonville Polar Bears lost their third consecutive game to start the season, losing their debut in the Fox Valley Association conference to the Kaukauna Ghosts 35-7 on Thursday, Sept. 5.
The start of the game looked promising for the Polar Bears, as the Ghosts drove into the red zone before a tipped pass was intercepted by defensive back Kameron Chronis to give the Polar Bears momentum.
The Polar Bears could not capitalize on the turnover as they drove down to the Ghosts 30-yard line before giving up possession after a failed fourth-down conversion.
In the second quarter, the Ghosts got on the board when quarterback Bron Schaefer scored on a three-yard quarterback keeper to make the score 7-0.
The Ghosts scored on their next possession of the game as Schaefer found wide receiver Parker Schuh on a 61-yard touchdown pass to give his team a 14-0 lead.
On the third straight possession, the Ghosts got into the end zone as wide receiver Kavanaugh Weyenberg scored on a 10-yard catch and run score to make the score 21-0.
Safety Luke Tetzlaff intercepted the ball, and Schuh caught a 32-yard touchdown pass, making the score 28-0, giving the Ghosts their fourth touchdown in the quarter.
The Polar Bears tried to gain a spark with an interception by defensive back Harley Juadis, but two plays later, a fumbled snap gave the Ghosts possession back, and they capitalized with another Weyenberg touchdown catch to make it a 35-0 game and start the running clock.
Safety Cole Smith had another takeaway for the Ghosts defense as he intercepted a pass. The Polar Bears forced a turnover on downs.
A late six-yard touchdown run by Ashton Vallner gave the Polar Bears their only score of the game late in the fourth quarter.