Redbirds overpower Pointers in statement win

By Ronica Thousand

The Darlington Redbirds delivered a clear message Friday night: they’re a force to be reckoned with in the 2025 high school football season. In front of a packed home crowd, the Redbirds rolled to a dominant 56-0 victory over the visiting Mineral Point Pointers, showcasing explosive offense and a stifling defense from start to finish.

Junior quarterback Zeke Zuberbuhler was nothing short of perfect, completing all 11 of his passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns. His poise and efficiency set the tone early, while sophomore sensation Ryder Fitzsimons proved nearly unstoppable. Fitzsimons recorded 79 rushing yards and a touchdown on just 5 carries, and added 4 receptions for 38 yards and another score. 

Darlington’s defense matched the offense blow for blow. Junior Calum Crist led the unit with 4.5 tackles and one tackle for loss, while the Redbirds forced multiple three-and-outs and held Mineral Point scoreless. 

For the Pointers, the night was tough from the opening drive. Despite the scoreline, there were moments of individual effort and grit. Junior Clayton Yanna led the rushing attack with 61 yards on 11 carries, while sophomore quarterback Liam Carey threw for 42 yards and connected with senior Hudson Schroeder, who hauled in 3 passes for 23 yards. 

Despite the tough loss, the Pointers remained focused on growth and improvement. Head coach Justin Leonard addressed his team's performance with honesty and determination. 

“We need to do a better job of working together, combined with being more physical, all the way across the field,” Leonard said. “It takes a combination of all 11 guys on the field working together to achieve a successful outcome.” 

Leadership from the players was also evident. Senior Brett Bossert emphasized the importance of staying united moving forward. 

“As a team, we have to stick together and be ready to work this week and get a win on Friday,” he said. “We have got to be more physical and sharp in everything we do.” 

Junior Cole Pautz acknowledged the emotional difficulty of playing in a one-sided game but highlighted the importance of effort. 

“The most difficult part of playing in a game like this is to keep going no matter what the score is, or always playing at the level you are capable of,” Pautz said. 

Even in the face of a shutout, Carey found reasons to stay optimistic. 

“We all care so much about the sport and all want to prove something,” he said.

Coach Leonard echoed that sentiment as he looked ahead to the Pointers’ upcoming matchup. 

 “Our team is very mature about who we are and where we want to go this year,” he said. “We will move our focus to our next opponent in Cuba City and work on going 1-0 every day.”