High School Football: Gibraltar Tops Wabeno-Laona

Gibraltar improved to 3-1 Saturday by defeating previously unbeaten Wabeno-Laona 28-24 in a MONLCP-8 football matchup.

The Vikings scored their winning touchdown with 4 minutes, 9 seconds left in the game on a 67-yard touchdown pass from Luke Steebs to Alex Laughlin. Steebs completed 7 or 14 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns. Laughlin caught five passes for 118 and two scores. Laughlin also scored on a 3-yard run.

The Vikings trailed 12-6 at halftime, but tied the game on Alex Laughlin scoring run early in the third quarter. After the Logrollers retook the lead 18-12, the Vikings went ahead 20-18 when Steeb connected with Marcus Reinhardt on a 43-yard score. Wabeno-Laona went ahead 24-20 with 5:44 left in the game, before the Vikings scored their decisive points a little more than a minute later.

After losing 54-6 to conference leader Florence in the season opener, the Vikings have scored 41 points per game. Florence has scored 52 points per game and has won by an average of 49 points.

“Yes Florence is very good, but our team has grown leaps and bounds since week one,” Gibraltar coach Mike Peck said. “We have gained confidence as we have continued to string along successful plays.  We talk about working hard and being better today than we were yesterday. And the kids are buying into the program.” 

The Vikings return to action Saturday when they travel to 2-2 Green Bay NEW Lutheran-Oneida in a conference matchup.

“We have a great group of kids that want to work hard for us,” Peck said. “They are not happy with what we have accomplished – they want more. They are constantly asking me to open the weight room so they can make themselves better.  So I think we are just scratching the surface of confidence. I think we as a coaching staff will see it grow as the season continues.”

In other 8-man action, Chequamegon defeated Sturgeon Bay 38-8 and Florence dropped Sevastopol 60-0. Spencer Evenson ran for 45 yards on 15 carries. 

In other local action, Coleman beat Southern Door 44-0.