By Joe Bachman

NEKOOSA — Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau (Galesville, Wis.) put up nearly 350 rushing yards Thursday night over the Papermakers in a 43-0 route.

Nekoosa opened up their season in a non-conference game against a staunch Red Hawks defense last night, giving up only 82 total yards, and slowing Nekoosa’s physical running game to only 52 yards on the night. While the Papermakers protected the football, only giving up one turnover, they just couldn’t get any points on the board against last year’s Western Wisconsin Conference champion.

Quarterback Kyle Olson went 3-13, passing for 30 yards with one interception. Waltenburg and Bills combined for 51 rushing yards on 16 attempts. Player of the game, Red Hawk running back Ben Behan ran for 126 yards while putting up four touchdowns on the Nekoosa defense.

Nekoosa will look to rebound from a tough loss next week at home when they take on River Valley High School (Spring Green, Wis.) out of the Southeastern Conference.