Football team also stops 25-game skid with 13-6 win Friday

By Dave Boehler
for The Beacon

North players and students celebrate after the football team’s victory.

Perhaps you heard the hootin’ and hollerin’ as the North football team’s bus strolled through the streets Friday night.

“The bus was explosive,” Golden Raiders’ coach Joe O’Brien said.

North had just defeated South, 13-6, to not only ruin its rivals’ Homecoming game, but the Golden Raiders also snapped a nine-game losing streak to the Redwings. The Golden Raiders halted their 25-game losing streak, too.

So yeah, the bus was a little noisy on the drive home.

“Man, that was the best high school experience I ever had,” North’s Isaiah Love-Beringer said. “It was so fun. It was just good vibes everywhere. Everybody had a lot of energy and we were screaming. Plus, it’s our coach’s first varsity win, so yeah, we gave it up for him too.”

Love-Beringer’s second-half touchdown was the difference, as he scored on an 8-yard run with 2 minutes 19 seconds left in the third quarter.

Golden Raider fans are excited after their team takes the lead.

South had a chance to take the lead when it faced a 4th-and-goal from the North 10-yard line with 5:45 left in the fourth quarter, but could not convert.

“We just didn’t keep it simple,” Redwings’ coach Jason Harder said. “We had some good things going there. We get close to the end zone and we make mistakes, or make a wrong read, you name it, we find a way to go backwards. So those are things we’ve got to get better at.”

South had one final chance but was stopped on 4th-and-1 near midfield and North was able to run out the clock.

For seniors like Love-Beringer, it was their last chance to finally beat South.

“It feels great,” he said. “I mean, like the feeling is unexplainable.”

When the contest ended, each team shook hands and North headed toward its side of the field for the usual post-game huddle.

However, Golden Raiders players decided to run toward its fans and slapped hands with those in the front row of the bleachers.

Redwing students show off their spirit – and their signs.

They continued toward the student section, where several giddy classmates joined them on the track surrounding the field.

“I definitely was speechless right away,” O’Brien said. “All year we’ve been battling with adversity, and the guys kept grinding and practicing their tails off. They never gave up and it shows the determination that these players have. I couldn’t be more proud of them.

“That was a hell of a game. I wouldn’t have wanted that game to go any other way: down to the wire. I have a lot of respect for Coach Harder. He’s a good friend of mine and this is the only week that we’re enemies. Every other week we’re working together and cheering for each other, trying to build football in Sheboygan. My hat goes off to those guys.”

Harder was also complimentary.

“North played great, they played inspired, they deserved the win,” he said. “I’m sure it feels pretty good.”

It does. Jusk ask Love-Beringer, who was asked of he’ll remember this game forever.

“Oh, yes sir,” he said. “Yes sir.”