New Glarus gave top-ranked Darlington a much tougher fight than the final score suggests Friday night, Sept. 11, leading after the first quarter and staying within striking distance into the second half before the Redbirds pulled away for a 41-10 victory at The Bank of New Glarus Field at the New Glarus Community Complex.

Both teams entered the Southwest Wisconsin Activities League showdown 3-0. Darlington arrived as the defending WIAA Division 6 state champion, the No. 1-ranked team in Division 5 and winner of 17 straight games, while New Glarus entered ranked No. 8 in Division 5 after victories over Cambridge, Belleville and Cuba City.

The Glarner Knights landed the first punch. Darlington fumbled on its opening possession, and senior Brent Weeden recovered near midfield. New Glarus followed with a 13-play drive that moved inside the Redbirds’ 10 before freshman Brock Weeden kicked a 26-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.

For much of the opening half, the Knights’ defense made Darlington work for everything it got. The Redbirds finally broke through in the second quarter when quarterback Zeke Zuberbuhler connected with Dante Glendenning for a 49-yard touchdown.