Slinger withstands challenge from DeForest football

DeForest pushed Slinger in its season-opening football game but could not secure a victory.

On Friday, Aug. 21, DeForest took the 60-mile drive east to battle the Slinger Owls — a program that notably won the 2024 Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) Division 2 state championship and won eight games, advancing to Level 2 of the postseason, last year.

DeForest gave the Owls a close contest in their Week 1 matchup, but lost 29-15.

DeForest found itself in an early 15-0 hole at the end of the first quarter. Slinger used a pair of 11-yard rushing touchdowns to build a two-score lead over DeForest.

Then, DeForest made its push.

Game recap

In the second and third quarter, DeForest's defense held the Owls scoreless. Junior safety Logan Swoboda picked off Slinger’s quarterback in the third quarter.

Swoboda’s interception fueled a noteworthy strong defensive effort for DeForest Friday night, with junior linebacker Baylor Skolaski recording a team high 14 tackles — including four solo — on one tackle for loss.

Bryar Herring, a senior linebacker, brought down 13 tackles, which included three solo tackles and one tackle for loss, while junior defensive tackle Tennyson Mehlum recorded one sack. Altogether, DeForest's defense had 57 tackles.

Stepping up at quarterback was senior Tru Killerlain. On second-and-six, Killerlain tossed a 37-yard touchdown strike, landing perfectly into the hands of senior Dalton Lee, to put DeForest on the board, trailing 15-7 in the second quarter.

Lee finished with 46 receiving yards on two receptions. Senior wide receiver Cooper Brown led DeForest in receiving yards with 63. Brown averaged over 10 yards per catch.

In the third quarter, Killerlain pierced through the seams of the Owls’ defense, rushing for a 14-yard touchdown on 4th-and-3. He later converted on the two-point conversion to tie the game at 15 apiece.

Killerlain finished his evening with 112 passing yards on 9-for-12 completions. He boasted a quarterback rating of 180.9, according to Bound Wisconsin. Killerlain also led DeForest in rushing yards with 56, while Dalton Lee chipped in with 29.

DeForest also had significant touches from Macrae Midlikowski at quarterback as well. Midlikowski, a junior, tossed for 23 yards on two completions.

Despite DeForest's valiant effort throughout the second and third quarters, Slinger used a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter to sneak away with the 14-point victory over DeForest.

Up next for DeForest, DeForest will continue its road-heavy start to the season.

They will travel to Reedsburg in Week 2 on Friday, Aug. 28, before opening Badger-Large play at Oregon a week later on Friday, Sept. 4. DeForest's first home game will be against Sun Prairie East on Thursday, Sept. 10. All kick-offs are set for 7 p.m.

Additional details

Badger-Large Week 1 Scores

Monona Grove 42, Janesville Parker 0

Oregon 53, Stoughton 8

Slinger 29, DeForest 15

Oconomowoc 41, Milton 0

West De Pere 42, Sun Prairie East 20

Madison Memorial 7, Sun Prairie West 3

Beaver Dam 35, Watertown 13

Muskego 24, Waunakee 7