Taraska Stadium is one of the jewels of high school facilities in Wisconsin. From its wide bleachers to its luxury boxes, the north-south oriented field on Arrowhead High School's South Campus sits nestled between tennis courts and a baseball diamond, located in a mostly residential section of the Town of Merton.

Upon entry, signs noted that masks needed to be worn upon entry and exit, and while moving within the stadium. Tickets were limited to two per player, which added up given that each roster has around 100 players. A small sanitizing station was set up near the game programs. Come gametime, a few hundred parents barely covered the vast expanses in the bleachers, which can hold a maximum of 3,561 fans.

Leading up to the game itself, there was some of the usual hallmarks of Friday night lights, such as a cheer squad and a (member-reduced) marching band. Once the game kicked off, it felt, mostly, like a slice of pre-pandemic life had been restored.

It didn't take long for Muskego to get things going, as returning WFCA All-State running back Alex Current took the second carry of the game for Muskego 79 yards to the house to give the Warriors a fast 6-0 lead on Arrowhead. After forcing a three-and-out, Muskego had another two-play drive, this time with Current jogging into the end zone from 70 yards away, making it Muskego 12, Arrowhead 0 just 3:10 into the contest.

After that, each team settled in. Arrowhead capped off a long drive early in the second quarter, one that lasted 12 plays but stalled inside the 30, with a 39-yard field goal to get on the board. Muskego quickly countered with Alex Current's third touchdown of the game, set up by a 43-yard burst by fullback Josh Bulski.

Arrowhead committed the only turnover of the game mid-way through the second quarter, out of a timeout. Arrowhead quarterback Max Bredeson saw a pass get caught in a 15-mile-per-hour wind gust, which knocked it into the hands of cornerback Mason Buehler, a returning honorable mention All-Classic 8 selection. However, the turnover didn't cost Arrowhead, as they were able to get the ball back with 3:25 to play in the second quarter. A defensive penalty gave the Warhawks an untimed down, and Bredeson ran in from five yards away to make it a one-possession game after the extra point try was good.

A three-and-out turned the ball over to Muskego early in the third quarter, and a one-play drive resulted in a 49-yard touchdown run for Current, his fourth of the game.

Digging deep, Arrowhead put together a 14-play drive covering 80 yards in 6:27 to pull back within a score, 25-17. After the teams traded three-and-outs, it was Arrowhead advancing deep into Warriors territory, looking to bridge the gap between the teams a bit. However, a 44-yard field goal missed wide right, and Muskego would take over with 5:46 left in regulation on its own 20.

Bulski again made a huge run, this time for 60 yards, to set up yet another Current touchdown run, his fifth of the game, which put the contest a little out of reach with 2:45 remaning.

One more Bredeson touchdown narrowed it to a one-possession game yet again, but the Warhawks couldn't recover an onside kick with eight seconds left in the game and fell to the two-time defending champions Muskego, 32-24.

Current had five touchdowns on just eight carries for 229 yards for Muskego, who also got 113 yards on 11 carries by Bulski and 12 yards rushing from the rest of the team. Arrowhead got a monster night from Bredeson, who finished with 157 yards passing and 131 yards rushing to go with two touchdowns on the ground and 13 completions to seven different receivers. Jordan Tanke was the third running back in and the most effective, going for a touchdown on 11 carries and 27 yards.

Wisconsin recruit Hunter Wohler was particularly impressive zig-zagging and angling down the field, making a stop at the goal line on one of Muskego's several red zone defensive opportunities, and was perhaps highlighted by covering 40 yards at a perfect angle to stop a play short of a first down at midfield. Wohler also got a carry and a target on a pass attempt on offense, and added a couple of solid kick returns to the highlight reel.

Muskego got its 29th straight win, while Arrowhead suffered no major injury and adjusted well against one of the top teams in the state to open the 2020 campaign.

For the first night of high school football in 308 days, the resounding conclusion was that everyone was happy to have high school football back. On a room temperature evening and a clear sky, the idyllic backdrop to the first night of contests in the state in 2020 helped paint, for one night at least, a picture of a return to play both unprecedented and cautiously anticipated.

Week 2 Iron Joc Game of the Week: Catholic Memorial at Brookfield Central (October 2, 7pm)

Photos: Jimmie Kaska

Milwaukee High School Sports