KIMBERLY — The Kaukauna Galloping Ghosts’ defense flexed its muscle early in the Battle for the Paddle. But by the end of the first half it was Kaukauna’s offensive line that led the way.
Running back Muhammad Jobe scored twice as Kaukauna won the first Battle of the Paddle trophy game with a 14-7 win over perennial rival Kimberly.
As the defenses slugged it out early, it took until the 4:45 mark in the second quarter for Jobe to rip a 60-yard touchdown run to put Kaukauna on the scoreboard first. A Ryan Mayer point-after put the Ghosts up 7-0.
Then, within the first minute of the fourth quarter, a 5-yard touchdown run by Jobe to put the Ghosts up 14-0.
But the Papermakers weren’t willing to fold just yet, putting together a lengthy touchdown drive of their own with 6:29 left in the game to cut Kaukauna’s lead to 14-7.
When Kaukauna got the ball back, quarterback Ryan Carrel and Jobe took turns with the ground game to run out the clock and seal the victory.
The new trophy upped the stakes of this already heated rivalry with the paddle heading to Kaukauna High School for the next year.
The trophy, created by Bella’s Custom Design, was displayed for the first time at Friday’s game.
Kaukauna has its first home game of the season next Friday, hosting Neenah at 7 p.m. in Bank of Kaukauna Stadium.
2026 Kaukauna Football Schedule. Game time 7 p.m.
- August 20: at West Allis Hale; Kaukauna wins 41-7
- August 28: at Notre Dame Academy; Kaukauna loss, 35-28
- September 3: at Kimberly; Kaukauna wins 14-7
- September 9: vs. Neenah at Kaukauna High School
- September 17: at Appleton North
- September 24: vs. Fond du Lac at Kaukauna High School
- October 1: at Hortonville
- October 8: vs. Oshkosh West at Kaukauna High School
- October 15: at. Appleton East
