We opened our Thursday Night Lights coverage with a matchup between two familiar foes in Bennington and Elkhorn North in their new home of Class A. Both squads feature very talented rosters with great players at all levels of the field. As part of my game coverage, I will feature each team, highlighting some of my top standouts from the night, starting with Bennington.
Game Recap:
The budding rivalry between Bennington and Elkhorn North had its first edition as Class A members after moving up from B. Despite the new class, expectations remain the same for these two powerhouse programs, with sights set on championship gold. The game began with a few possession exchanges between the Badgers and Wolves as both squads worked through all the changes from the offseason. The scoring opened up when Bennington’s Dominic Driggs jumped a route for an interception and returned it all the way for the pick-six. Elkhorn North answered right back with a touchdown run from senior Andersen Taylor. Bennington’s Ty Bouaphakeo would then give the Badgers a two-touchdown lead after running in a pair of scores. The Wolves threatened to rally right back after QB Austin McMurtry found Fresno State commit Zach Wolfe for a 70+ yard touchdown and an interception by Vinnie DiPrima. However, Wayne State commit Will Gutz took over the show and went on to score the next three touchdowns for the Badgers. Bennington’s defense clamped down on the Wolves’ offense to close out the game, ending with a 42-13 final score.
Co-Player of the Game:
Ty Bouaphakeo | 2027 | QB | Morningside Commit | (@BouaphakeoTy)
Will Gutz | 2027 | RB | Wayne State Commit | (@william_gutz)
The duo of QB Ty Bouaphakeo and RB Will Gutz proved why they form one of the more terrifying backfields in the entire state. Morningside commit Ty Bouaphakeo led the rushing charge, ending the night as the Badgers’ top rusher with 17 carries for 139 yards and two touchdowns, with 60 passing yards on 13 attempts. Wayne State commit Will Gutz posted totals of 17 carries for 93 yards and three rushing touchdowns of his own. What makes this duo so tough to plan for is that neither of them is willing to go down without a fight, as both Ty and Will have the strength to absorb and dish out contact. Great job finding lanes and bouncing runs to the outside with solid burst downhill. Both schools are getting excellent players!
Notable Standouts:
Demarcus Perkins | 2028 | DL | 6’2″ 220 lbs | (@DPerkins55)
Junior defensive end Demarcus Perkins was a nice surprise in this game, flashing all the tools to compete at the next level. Demarcus’ impact went deeper than the stat sheet, posting 5 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and a half sack, while being part of a consistent pass rush that kept the Wolves’ passing game from settling in. He has a sturdy 6’2″ 220-pound frame packed with a ton of raw strength that can move blockers at will. Perkins does a good job firing out of his stance with a quick first step and keeps his hands active to swat away at reaching blockers. Demarcus’ lateral quickness and motor also stood out as he was constantly playing through the whistle on every play. He plays with good bend that allows him to maintain consistent pad level throughout his reps. New name to watch in the 2028 class!
Baylor Uhing | 2027 | DB | 6’3″ 185 lbs | (@BaylorUhing)
Bennington’s Baylor Uhing is one of the more interesting players in the 2027 class as he’s shown the versatility to play anywhere from safety to linebacker, and now cornerback. Part of what makes Baylor such an effective and versatile player is his instincts, which allow him to quickly read and diagnose from anywhere. At CB, he has the type of frame that coaches are looking for at the next level, standing at 6’3″ and 185 pounds with quick feet and fluid hips. Uhing also brings a physical mean streak from the CB position; he’s willing to fight off perimeter blocks, step up against the run, and make tackles in the open field. His technique in coverage lets him stay with his receiver in man, drop back to cover the deep field, and sharply break on the ball. Under-the-radar prospect who deserves some more looks on the recruiting trail.
Kaleb Tysor | 2028 | DB | 6’1″ 180 lbs | (@KalebTysor)
DB Kaleb Tysor is a player who showed a ton of promise as a sophomore and looks to break out as a star on the Bennington defense now as a junior. Tysor started at cornerback opposite Uhing and did a great job limiting big plays on the outside. Kaleb has a solid frame for the position at 6’1″ and 180 pounds with the athleticism and speed to matchup well against all types of receivers. He plays a physical game, using his length to get his hands up and disrupt passes, and had one of the bigger hits of the night that prevented an even bigger gain. His football IQ showed in how well he communicated and called out adjustments either pre-game or right after diagnosing the play. “Buy stock now” prospect set to take off!
