Kicker’s right leg downs visiting Waterford
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
From the moment his right foot touched the ball, Wilmot Union High School senior kicker Jeff Shoopman knew it would clear the uprights Friday at Bucci Field, where the Panthers won 10-7 against Waterford and sent the student section into a frenzy.
Shoopman, a transfer from Kenosha Christian Life, stated the decisive field goal with 1:32 left of regulation is redemption after he watched from the sidelines last year.
“I sat out all year, and I have been waiting for this moment,” Shoopman said. “It couldn’t get any better than this, we just beat Waterford on a last minute field goal.”
The Panthers defeat of visiting Waterford, who entered the game with 10 points allowed in two contests, keeps Wilmot unbeaten at 3-0 (1-0 Southern Lakes Conference).
Following a scoreless first half, junior quarterback A.J. Frisby, who had an interception on defense, put the Panthers on the board with a 7-yard touchdown run with 9:02 left in the third quarter.
Ahead 7-0, the Panthers’ defense held its own against Waterford quarterback Matt Korman, until he found senior Hunter Keller on a 24-yard score with less than three minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Korman finished with three completions for 35 yards and two interceptions.
Seven minutes into the fourth quarter, Wilmot had control midfield, balancing short runs by junior Robert Brent and Jake Raiman until Frisby connected with sophomore Cullen Ketterhagen on a 28-yard haul to the Wolverines’ 3-yard line.
Brent, who led with 145 yards on 26 carries, boosts his season total to 380 yards. Raiman, meanwhile, finished with 54 yards on 8 carries.
Frisby said the rushing attack allowed them to control the pace of the game.
“We knew we were winning the field position battle, we had the ball more than they had the ball,” Frisby said.
On first and goal, the Panthers tried pushing through a three times, two by Frisby and the other by Brent to force Kaiser into a fourth down decision.
But, citing a defense that held Waterford rusher Jared Krattinger to 76 yards on 14 attempts, a week after the junior had 128 yards – he called on Shoopman.
“I had complete trust in our defense, I know three points is not as good as a touchdown, but at that point, three points in this game was monumental,” said Kaiser.
Shoopman, who has converted longer field goals, stated the 18-yard attempt was a chip shot.
“I knew I was going to drill it, I can easily make it from a way bigger range than that,” he said. “I had all the faith in my leg that I was going to get it through the uprights.”
Upon clearing the uprights, Wilmot fans erupted into celebration, a moment Shoopman felt.
“When it touched my foot, I just knew it was in,” Shoopman said. “I was ecstatic, I was so happy to see that ball go through the uprights and the crowd just exploding.”
Kaiser, who used a handful of kickers last year, said Shoopman gives the team another dimension.
“He brings a lot to our program, and he did his job at the end…we have faith in his ability and we know he is good kicker, and he followed through.” Kaiser said.
While Waterford coach Adam Bakken credited the Panthers for its win, he stated his Wolverines squad could have been more aggressive.
“They certainly played hard and made plays when they had to,” said Bakken, whose team drops to 2-1 (0-1 SLC). “We weren’t as physical as we thought we could be.”
More on Shoopman
After Shoopman’s sophomore year at Kenosha Christian Life, his parents Karen and Allen, moved out of the area.
Consequently, the kicker had to sit out his entire junior season due to WIAA rules, but still worked out at Panther football practices.
“I was out here practicing with them every day,” said Shoopman, who cherishes every moment. “You appreciate times like this.”
Previously a soccer player, he wanted to play football, but his parents were apprehensive.
However, as a compromise, he started kicking field goals in his backyard under his father’s supervision.
Frisby, who lifted Shoopman in celebration after Friday’s game, said the kicker has “been amazing.”