2018 Football Guide Team Previews Inside Badger South outlook:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Oregon Panthers:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Stoughton Vikings: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Madison Edgewood Crusaders: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Big Eight outlook: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Verona Wildcats:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Madison West Regents:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
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2 – 2018 Football Guide – August 23, 2018
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2018 Football Guide – August 23, 2018 – 3
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4 – 2018 Football Guide – August 23, 2018
Badger South football
Monona Grove still the team to beat ANTHONY IOZZO Correspondent
Monona Grove has been one of the top programs in the Badger South Conference for the past decade with six outright and two shared conference titles. The Silver Eagles, which has a 56-5 record in the Badger South since 2008, were runner-up to Monroe in 2016 and tied for second with Madison Edgewood and Oregon in 2008. Milton, which shared with Monona Grove in both 2014 and 2015 and finished runner-up in 2009 and 2010, won the 2008 conference title. Besides Milton and Monroe going toe-to-toe w i t h t h e S i l ve r E a g l e s during this stretch, there were other contenders that fell just short. Last season, Stoughton was second at 6-1, and Oregon was third at 5-2. Oregon was second behind
MG and Monroe in 2014 and 2015, and Fort Atkinson and Madison Edgewood were second and third, respectively, in 2012 and 2013. In 2011, the Crusaders took second and Fort Atkinson was third. While most of last s e a s o n ’s B a d g e r S o u t h All-Conference selections have graduated, the Silver Eagles do have four firstteam and four honorable mentions back and still look to be one of the favorites. Stoughton is next with one first-team, one second-team and two honorable mention selections back, and Oregon brings back one first-team, one second-team and two honorable mention selections. Monroe returns two second-team and four honorable mention selections. Watertown has one second-team and four honorable mentions selections
returning, and Madison E d g ewo o d , M i l t o n a n d Fort Atkinson all have one honorable mention back. Here is a look at teams in the Badger South (in order of last year’s finish):
Mon. Grove (11-1, 7-0) Letterwinners back/lost: 22/17 Starters back/lost: 9/13 2017 highlights: Won its sixth outright conference title in the past 10 years, and made it to the WIAA Division 2 state quarterfinals. 2018 season outlook: The Silver Eagles might need to replace 13 starters, but there are several key ones coming back in 2018 with eight all-conference players, including four first teamers. On offense, first-team a l l - c o n f e r e n c e q u a r t e rback Alec Ogden is gone after completing 160 of 237 passes for 2,682 yards,
33 touchdowns and five interceptions. Ogden also rushed for 707 yards and 12 touchdowns on 82 carries. Senior Jordan Bishop will fill the starting quarterback role in 2018 after going 5-for-8 for 68 yards and a touchdown in three games last season. At running back, firstteam selection Jackson Thomsen is gone after rushing for 1,544 yards a n d 2 5 t o u c h d ow n s o n 186 carries. Seniors Shane Duncan and Ryan Hinaus will look to fill the role at running back after combining for 175 yards on 48 carries last season. Also gone is first-team tight end Lucas Gerlach, first-team wide receiver Colton Moran and second-team wide receiver Jordan Renks-Recker. Gerlach was Ogden’s favorite target with 52 receptions for 896 yards and 15 touchdowns, and Moran
caught 30 passes for 526 yards and eight touch downs. Renks-Recker caught 35 passes for 440 yards and two touchdowns. Senior honorable mention Sam Hepp will be called upon to lead the receiving corps this year after catching 14 passes for 488 yards and four touchdowns. But even with all the new faces on offense, there will be a familiar offensive line in 2018. First-team senior tackle Michael Williams-Davis, first-team junior guard Nathan Wilcox and senior honorable mention guard Max Hengst all return. First-team cent e r M a r c u s Wa l l a c e i s gone. On defense, senior defensive lineman Sam Gronski and senior linebacker Ethan Beehner return with experience. Gronski had 41 total tackles (nine assisted) with
nine for a loss, four sacks and two fumble recoveries. Beehner finished with 49 total tackles (16 assisted) with one for a loss and a 1/2 sack. Senior linebacker Trenten Herber also returns after leading Monona Grove with 101 total tackles (28 assisted) with six for a loss, a sack and an interception. Senior defensive back Jalen Ostrowsky returns after recording 39 total tackles (five assisted) with three for a loss, a forced fumble, two interceptions and a defensive touchdown. Losses on defense include first-team defensive lineman Wallace, firstteam defensive end Trevor Wunderlin, second-team linebacker Taylor Duncan and second-team defensive back Jayden Robinson. That group forced four turnovers and had over 100
Turn to Badger South/Page 8
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2018 Football Guide – August 23, 2018 – 5
Oregon football
Young roster aiming to return to playoffs JEREMY JONES Sports editor
Photo by Jeremy Jones
Returning letterwinners for the Oregon football team (front, from left) are: John Klus, Matt Kissling, Dylan DiMaggio, Ben Adams, Carson Smedley, Matthew Strassman, Keion Szudy and Nolan Look; (back) {span}Kevin Alvord, Colton Rich, Brandon Schulz, Carter Erickson, Matt Rusch, Christian Carlos, Logan Ackerman, Nate Ellingson, Zach Tower, Jack Haufle and Ian Ganshirt. combing for 884 yards and seven scores last year. The graduation of wide receiver Kardelle Phillips, who had 1,197 yards from scrimmage and 16 touchdowns last season, leaves the Panthers searching for playmakers. Jack Haufle and Carter Erickson return after combining or 15 catches and 247 receiving yards and three touchdown a year ago. Quarterback Nolan Look has some experience under center after playing there
sporadically the last two seasons. He also saw time in the defensive backfield last year. The second level of the Panthers’ 3-5 defense s h o u l d b e t h e t e a m ’s strength, with John Klus returning fourth his four season. Klus finished third in the state in tackles last year. Klus has drawn some Division I and II collegiate interest. “I am hoping, obviously, to go as high as I can go,”
Turn to Panthers/Page 10
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A year removed from an injury-riddled, one-win season, the Oregon football team surprised some people in 2017 by posting a 5-2 Badger South record and earning a playoff spot. The Panthers finished third in conference and coach Dan Kissling doesn’t expect his team to sneak up on anyone this season. “We had a young team, and we didn’t know where we’d be at,” he said. Oregon will face a difficult schedule that includes six playoff teams from last season, including DeForest, Mount Horeb/ Barneveld and defending Badger South champion Monona Grove on consecutive weeks to open the season. The Panthers will have Stoughton, Watertown and Monroe to close out the regular season. Moving the ball consistently for Oregon’s wing-T offense will start up front, where left tackle Colton Rich is the lone holdover from last season. Guard Matthew Rusch and center Brandon Schultz should also find a spot on the team’s O-line. “ We w i l l b e p l a y i n g some younger guys to help early on, and they need to play like veterans quickly,” Kissling said. Running backs Keion Szudy and Dylan DiMaggio each return to the Panther backfield after
6 – 2018 Football Guide – August 23, 2018
Stoughton football
New group looking to continue legacy, build on last season JEREMY JONES Sports editor
Stoughton football featured one of the strongest senior classes in program history last season. As a result, the Vikings capped the season with a program-best 9-2 record and a first-ever playoff win. Finishing the regular season 8-1, Stoughton was able to host its first WIAA playoff game, which it won by beating Oregon. The Vikings (9-2), who only lost to Monona Grove during the regular season, saw its season come to an end against Waukesha West for a second straight year in the WIAA Division 2 playoffs. And although the Vikings do lose one of the state’s best running backs, quarterback and several lineman from both sides of the ball, coach Dan Prahl expects Stoughton to be right in the mix once again this season. Although running back Brady Schipper is now playing football at UW-Madison, the Vikings return two solid offensive lineman upfront in fellow UW-Madison commitment Jack Nelson at tackle and center Jack True. Junior Ethan Skavlen was hurt all of last season but should slide in at right tackle this year. Senior Adam Falk steps in at right guard with the left spot up for grabs. The task of replacing Schipper, who had 1,975 yards on the ground and 25 rushing touchdowns, could
Photo by Jeremy Jones
Returning letterwinners for the Stoughton football team (front, from left) are: Dom Miller, Josh Dollum, Nathan Hutcherson, Cade Spilde and Drew Pasold; (middle) Dwight Walker, Kadin Milbauer, Jack True and Adam Falk (back) Adam Hobson, Jack Nelson, Jack Lenz and Trenton Conklin. fall to a stable of Viking running backs. Senior Dwight Walker and Quinn Arnott figures to have the early advantage. Walker showed flashes last season before suffering an ACL injury in the first game at Portage. Arnott had a handful of carries last season as Schipper’s backup. Junior Adam Hobson takes over for Jonathan
Malueg, who was the Vikings quarterback the past two seasons. Hobson attempted one pass last year but did have 66 yards rushing on 10 carries. “Adam is a natural quarterback,” Prahl said. “He’s got a good arm and throws a good ball. Watching him run the ball on JV last year was pretty fun to watch. He’s an elusive runner.” Junior Nathan
Hutcherson is the most ex p e r i e n c e p l a y e r o u t side for a team that will need to replace eight of 10 receivers from last season. Hutcherson, who finished second on the team in receptions, provides some explosiveness and Stoughton will try different ways to get the ball in his hands. Senior Drew Anderson, who did not play football
Turn to Vikings/Page 9
Badger South Team Wins Losses Monona Grove 7 0 Stoughton 6 1 Oregon 5 2 Monroe 3 4 Watertown 3 4 Fort Atkinson 2 5 Milton 1 6 Edgewood 1 6
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2018 Football Guide – August 23, 2018 – 7
Edgewood football
Crusaders hope to turn program around under new staff JEREMY JONES
Edgewood (1-8, 1-6)
Sports editor
First-year coach Jesse Norris inherits a Madison Edgewood football team that has gone 9-27 over the past four seasons (1-8 last year). With an all new coaching staff and the institution of a new scheme, however, Norris hopes the Crusaders can turn things around in the Badger South this season. “If we all buy into our culture and play together as a unit we should be in contention,” Norris said. “We have a good core group of seniors that have ample amounts of playing experience. I feel if we stay healthy we should make a playoff push and finish in the upperhalf of the conference.” Norris takes over for Al Minnaert who decided to step down last November after 26 years as the winningest high school football coach in city of Madison history. Minnaert went 155-115 at Edgewood, including a 1-8 finish as the smallest school in the Badger South last season. The Crusaders return seven offensive starters and six starters on defense. Senior honorable mention wide receiver Thomas Hartlieb is moving
Letterwinners back: 21 Starters back/lost: 13/9
to start at quarterback this season, replacing Jack McNeil (46-for-109, 823 yards, seven touchdowns, one interception). Hartlieb completed nine of 15 passes for 69 yards last season, but he was also the top receiver with 18 catches for 464 yards and three touchdowns. Senior wide receivers Jackson Wendler and Charlie Corcoran will look to add to their production as the new top targets. Wendler caught nine passes for 158 yards, and Corcoran caught seven passes for 103 yards. Senior Alec Finger is also joining the receiving corps. Senior running back Greg Zentmyer is back to lead the backfield after rushing for 295 yards and two Photo by Mary Langenfeld touchdowns on 66 carries. Senior Thomas Hartlieb moves to quarterback for Madison Edgewood this season. The Crusaders opened the season Mitchell Wendler is also expected to with a 50-20 loss against Mount Horeb/Barneveld. Turn to Crusaders/Page 9 get more carries this season.
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8 – 2018 Football Guide – August 23, 2018
Badger South: Conference race should be interesting once again Continued from page 4 total tackles combined. Oregon (full team preview on page 5) Stoughton (full team preview on page 6)
Watertown (4-6, 3-4) Letterwinners back/lost: 34/12 Starters back/lost: 16/6 2017 highlights: Made playoffs 2018 season outlook: The Goslings return more than two-thirds of its starters this season and look to build on its inaugural season in the Badger South, where they finished tied for fourth and made the playoffs. Second-team quarterback Dylan Fagerland is gone after completing 244 of 414 passes for 2,775 yards, 25 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Junior Ethan Pauly is expected to replace him after completing 12 of 18 passes for 62 yards and three interceptions in limited play in 2017.
First-team wide receiver Ryan Hayden is also gone after catching 71 passes for 767 yards and seven touchdowns, and running back Clayton Goodman is gone after collecting 358 yards and four touchdowns on 67 carries and catching 11 passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns. But Pauly still has plenty of weapons with junior second-team wide receiver Daniel Denault and junior wide receiver Kory Stas back. Denault caught 66 passes for 750 yards and six touchdowns, and Stas caught 36 catches for 514 yards and seven touchdowns. Junior Jonathan Nolasco returns with the most experience at running back after gaining 117 yards on 51 carries. Senior offensive linemen Matt Brewster and Alex Nachtigall and senior kicker Paul Kujawski also return to add to the offense. The defense loses firstteam defensive back Clayton Goodman and second-team defensive end
Zach Huebner, but senior honorable mention defensive lineman Tyler Bartz and senior linebacker Devon Pierick do return as top starters.
Monroe (4-6, 3-4) Letterwinners back/lost: 10/10 Starters back/lost: 6/16 2017 highlights: Made playoffs 2018 season outlook: The Cheesemakers fol lowed up its first Badger South Conference title in 18 years with another playoff berth last season. Monroe hopes to push for an even higher finish in 2018 and has been picked as a top-three finisher in the Badger South by several coaches. Unlike last season when Monroe qualified with a record under .500 in the conference, coach Toby Golembiewski wrote in a preview questionnaire that t h e C h e e s e m a ke r s w i l l need to win at least four games to make it back this year.
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The Cheesemakers are a run-heavy offense, and they bring back senior honorable mention running back Jordan Montgomery, junior honorable mention running back Nick Bansley and senior running back Ethan Kleckler. M o n t g o m e r y, w h o Golembiewski wrote has a lot of speed, finished with 423 yards and a touchdown on 100 carries. Bansley rushed for 341 yards and three touchdowns on 45 carries and also caught two passes for 70 yards and a touchdown. Kleckler rushed for 256 yards and a touchdown on 55 carries. Monroe also returns both quarterbacks from last season – senior Anthony Hernandez and junior Alex Witt. Hernandez completed 11 of 30 passes for 181 yards, a touchdown and four interceptions. Senior honorable ment i o n o ff e n s ive l i n e m a n Jacob Setterstrom will look to lead the blockers, which Golembiewski wrote was a strength this season. S e c o n d - t e a m o ff e n s ive lineman Joseph Hughes is gone from last season. The defense looks to be led by second-team defens ive b a c k B a n s l ey a n d senior honorable mention linebacker Jake Amacher. Montgomery also returns as a starting defensive back. Bansley finished 29 total tackles (18 assisted) with five for a loss, a sack and six interceptions. Montgomery had 45 total tackles (23 assisted). Amacher finished with 60 total tackles (43 assisted) with two for a loss and two sacks. Key d e f e n s ive l o s s e s include second-team linebacker Sam Kind, who had 89 total tackles (41 assisted) with three for a loss and three interceptions. Dempzy Foley is also gone after recording 58 total tackles (36 assisted) with 13 for a loss, 2 1/2 sacks and a fumble recovery.
several starters and a few key newcomers. Fort Atkinson coach Brady Grayvold wrote in a preview questionnaire that the offensive line will be a strength but the team is young at skilled positions. Senior offensive lineman Jordan Flodin is the best player back from last year, and seniors Dayne Sebranek, Keegan Aarstad and Austin Maxwell a l s o r e t u r n w i t h ex p e rience. First-team lineman Cory Schroeder and second-team lineman Ian Carnes are gone, but sophomore John Klatt is expected to join the starting offensive line this season. Quarterback Connor O’Brien is gone after going 85-for-159 for 1,176 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also rushed for 616 yards and nine touchdowns on 127 carries. Junior Trent Hachtel is expected to fill the role at quarterback in 2018. The Blackhawks are also without second-team running back Draven Sigmund, who rushed for 1,126 yards and nine touchdowns on 196 carries. Senior Brent Weidenhoeft, senior Jack Wachuta and junior Brent Torrega jr. and junior Mike Gutoski are all expected to get carries this season. Second-team wide receiver Nathan Schultz and wide receiver Tyler Moulton are also gone from last year. Schultz caught 40 passes for 543 yards and six touchdowns, and Moulton caught 24 passes for 360 yards and two touchdowns. S o p h o m o r e n ew c o m e r s N o a h Ko n t n y a n d James Vander Mause look to add depth at receiver this season. Kontny was a 100-meter dash finalist in the Badger South track and field meet in May, and Vander Mause is a threesport athlete. On defense, Grayvold wrote that the front-eight will be a strength due to Fort Atk. (3-6 2-5) experience playing together, and the back end of Letterwinners the defense is young but back/lost: 13/28 speedy and athletic. Starters Flodin anchors the back/lost: 7/15 defensive line. He had 39 2018 season outlook: total tackles (19 assisted) The Blackhawks look to with three for a loss and make a move in 2018 with two sacks.
Key losses on defense include first-team linebacker Troy Nachtigal and defensive back Schultz. Nachtigal had 91 total tackles (45 assisted) with six for a loss, and Schultz had 50 total tackles (24 assisted) with one for a loss and two interceptions last season.
Milton (3-6, 1-6) Letterwinners back: 22 Starters back/lost: n/a 2018 season outlook: The Red Hawks started with three straight wins last season, but dropped the final six Badger South games to fall out of playoff contention. Milton does have a few skill-position players coming back on offense, including senior quarterback Danny Weitzel. Weitzel completed 136 of 238 passes for 1,553 yards, 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions and also rushed f o r 4 9 6 y a r d s a n d t wo touchdowns on 119 carries. Weitzel will need a new top target, however, with the graduation of firstteam wide receiver Chance Nelson, who caught 55 passes for 670 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Milton did lose its top running back, Kameron Van Natta. Van Natta rushed for 365 yards and six touchdowns on 59 carries. Senior honorable mention Eric Hessenauer will anchor the offensive line, and he also helped the defensive line, where he had 39 total tackles (25 assisted) with three for a loss. There are several defensive players gone from last season, including second-team linebacker Jaxson Soddy and second-team defensive back Blake Fuchs. Soddy finished with 93 total tackles (62 assisted) with six for a loss and a forced fumble. Fuchs had 37 total tackles (14 assisted) with three for a loss, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Linebackers Jerry Lipke and Kyle Hanauska are also gone. They combined for 139 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.
2018 Football Guide – August 23, 2018 – 9
Crusaders: Edgewood looks to improve defense
will be to get all 11 guys School, previously made to the ball with aggressive coaching stops at Culver Offensive lineman Con- speed.” Stockton (2012-14), Lima nor Grabins and Chase Shawnee (15), Plantation Cannarella are also back, Coaching change (16) and most recently the but second-team lineman Prior to Edgewood, Min- prestigious St. Thomas Mark Luebke is a key loss. naert won 47 games from Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale “We will have great lead- 1984 to 1991 at the now-de- where he was the offensive ership and great skill play funct Holy Name Seminary, line/tight ends coach. on offense,” Norris said. which gave him a total of “We were all impressed “The big question mark this 202 wins coaching Madison by Jesse’s energy, passion, season will be our offensive high school programs. compassion, reliability, line.” That ranks Minnaert, who accountability and well-deOn defense, first-team was inducted into the Wis- veloped knowledge of the l i n e m a n L u e b ke , s e c - consin Football Coaches game - he is the whole ond-team linebacker Kalevi Association Hall of Fame package we were looking Breckterfield and sec- in March, ahead of Madison for,” Edgewood athletic ond-team defensive back West legend Burt Hable’s director Chris Zwettler said. Josh Fahrney leave some 199 career wins. Edgewood was tested key spots to be filled. The Crusaders made the right out of the gate, hosting Hartlieb, Finger, Concor- WIAA playoffs in 14 of 17 Mount Horeb/Barneveld in an, Wendler and Grabins years under Minnaert, post- Week 1. are returning defensive ing a 13-14 record in the The Crusaders open the starters. Harblieb, Finger playoffs. conference season Aug. and Concoran are all back Edgewood conducted a 31 at Breitbach Stadium in the defensive backfield, national search and received against Stoughton and folas is Alex Esch. Wendler applicants from Utah, Tex- low that up a week later is a returning starter in the as and Florida. Members against defending champion middle at linebacker, with of the search committee Monona Grove at Breese Murphy Penwell. Nick Fox, agreed that Norris stood Stevens Field. Chase Cannarella and out. He was interviewed by Watertown hosts EdgeGrabins are back along the phone, by the committee, wood Sept. 14 before the defensive line. parents and players and he team faces two more play“We will pride ourselves visited the Edgewood cam- offs teams at home, hosting on playing assignment foot- pus. Oregon Sept. 28 at Breese ball with great gap integriNorris graduated from Stevens Field and Monroe ty,” Norris said. “Our focus Lima (Ohio) Shawnee High in Middleton on Oct. 5. Continued from page 7
Junior Adam Hobson takes over at quarterback this season for the Vikings.
Photo by Joe Koshollek
Vikings: Have to replace several seniors Continued from page 6 last season is back, and should see time at receiver. The senior linebacking trio of Cade Spilde, Drew Pasold and Trenton Conklin have played together for a long time and should anchor the defense. Sophomores Brooks Empey and Rudy Detweiler will also see action on varsity. “No one is really expecting us to be good, so it will be fun to try and prove ourselves this year as a young team,” Spilde said. Jack Lenz returns along the defensive line, which could be the biggest question mark for the team. Lenz played defensive
Stoughton (9-2, 6-1) Letterwinners returning/lost: 15/26 Starters returning/lost: 10/12 end, nose tackle and some right tackle due to injuries last year. He should stick with just defense this year, barring more injuries this season. “We’re young but we’ve got a lot of energy,” Lenz said. “We’ve got some speed on the end.” Stoughton has a very favorable schedule as far as travel goes this season, having to only travel as far as Milton for a road game.
Based on how team’s faired last year, the Vikings schedule should start to ramp up in week five when Stoughton hosts Monroe. The Vikings then travel to rival Oregon on Sept. 21 and host Watertown for Homecoming on Sept. 28. S t o u g h t o n t r ave l s t o defending champion Monona Grove on Oct. 5 before closing out the season Oct. 12 at home against Fort Atkinson.
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Panthers: Look takes over at QB Continued from page 5 Klus said. “We’ll see how it goes. It all kind of depends on this year.” Klus will be joined by junior Matt Kissling, who had 10 tackles-for-loss and an interception in 2017. Logan Woodson could start inside next to Klus. Dan Kissling said the defense will need to get better play out of its defensive line this season. Staying healthy is also a confern as the Panthers lack depth up front. D e f e n s ive e n d L o g a n A c k e r m a n recovered two fumbles, five tackles for loss and finished fifth on the team in tackles. Rushch also saw significant playing time on defense last year. “We won’t have huge size, but we’ve got some young guys coming up, and they’re athletic,” Klus said. “So I think we’ll be good enough.” Erickson is back at cornerback. He had an interception and a fumble recovery last season. Haufle returns as the team’s kicker, while Klus is the primary punter. There are several canditdates trying to replace Jahlil Turner and Phillips in the return game. “We’ll have a lot of sophomores coming up and playing, which will be good not only for this year but for the future as well,” Klus said. Oregon opens the season with a pair of
Oregon (6-4, 5-2) Letterwinners back/lost: 16/22 Starters back/lost: 12/15 tough Badger crossover games. The Panthers opened the season Aug. 17 at home against DeForest and follow that up with a road game against Mount Horeb/ Barneveld on Aug. 24. Those teams finished second and third to Waunakee in the Badger North last year. Things only get tougher for the Panthers, who open the conference schedule Aug. 31 at defending Badger South champion Monona Grove. Oregon hosts the rival Stoughton Vikings on Sept. 21 for Homecoming. The Panthers will be looking for a little revenge after losing their regular season and playoff game to the Vikings last season. The conference schedule could present two more challenges over the final two weeks, as Oregon travels to Watertown on Oct. 5 before closing out the regular season Oct. 12 at home against Monroe. “I think if we stay healthy, we can compete with everyone, but it’s tough in the Badger Conference,” Kissling said.
Photo by Jeremy Jones
Senior linebacker John Klus (32)returns for his fourth year of varsity football for the Oregon Panthers this season.
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2018 Football Guide – August 23, 2018 – 11
Big Eight
Parity rules Big Eight Conference ANTHONY IOZZO Correspondent
The race for the Big Eight title has mostly involved three teams – Verona, Sun Prairie and Middleton – since the Wildcats joined the conference in 2008. But this season looks to be much more wide open as teams will attempt to dethrone defending champion Sun Prairie and perennial powerhouses Middleton and Verona to potentially join the Spartans as the only other team to win or share a Big Eight title. There’s been a lot of turnover at the top, leaving the perennial contenders vulnerable. But they have dominated the conference over the past decade. Sun Prairie has three outright titles and have shared it three other times during that stretch. Middleton has two outright titles and has shared it three other times, and Verona has one outright title and
Letterwinners (returning/lost): 25/18 Starters (returning/lost): 8/14 2017 highlights: Won its third outright Big Eight title since 2008 and finished state runner-up in Division 1, falling to five-time defending champion Kimberly 27-7 in the state final. 2018 season outlook: Sun Prairie will have a lot of new starters this season with major losses at quarterback, running back and on defense. Senior Richie Gilles is expected to replace Jack Zander at quarterback after playing in six games last year, completing seven of 10 passes for 72 yards and a touchdown. But Zander was a first-team All-Big Eight selection last season, completing 139 of 258 passes for 2,103 yards, 29 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Zander also rushed for 188 yards and six touchdowns on 58 attempts.
has shared it four other times since 2008. No other team has won a Big Eight title outright, and only one other team – Madison Memorial in 2009 – has shared a title. Other teams have contended at times. Madison La Follette was runner-up three straight years from 2013-15 with a combined record of 21-6. Madison West was runner-up in 2008 (6-3), third in 2012 (6-2) and third in 2017 (7-2). Besides sharing the title in 2009, Madison Memorial also tied La Follette for second in 2015 (7-2). Janesville Parker finished 6-3 each season from 20092011 and took runner-up in 2009. Janesville Craig tied for third in 2014 (6-3). Here is a brief look at each team’s prospects this year (in order of last year’s standings):
Sun Prairie (13-1, 9-0)
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White, who combined to finish with 590 yards and 10 touchdowns on 31 receptions. Sun Prairie still looks to be strong on defense with three key linebackers back – seniors Ethan Ackley (second-team), Adam Rademacher (honorable mention) and Hakeem McCullers (first-team). Ackley finished with 81 total tackles (52 assisted) with six for a loss. He forced two fumbles and recovered one. Rademacher had 63 total tackles (39 assisted) with nine for a loss. He had a forced fumble and an interception. McCullers finished with 58 total tackles (28 assisted) with seven for a loss. He added an interception and a defensive touchdown. There are four key losses on defense as well with the graduations of first-team linebacker Marty Strey, first-team defensive linemen Khalan Coleman and Josh Dinga and first-team defensive back Kaupinnen.
Strey (93 total tackles) and Dinga (53 total tackles) combined for 40 tackles for a loss, 24 sacks, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and three defensive touchdowns. Second-team all-conference defensive back Caden White is also gone after finishing with five interceptions, two forced fumbles, 11 tackles for a loss and a defensive touchdown.
Middleton (9-2, 8-1) Letterwinners (returning/lost): 31/34 Starters (returning/lost): 6/16 2017 highlights: Finished runner-up in the conference with the only Big Eight loss to champion Sun Prairie. Finished 1-1 in the Division 1 playoffs with a win over Madison La Follette in Level 1. 2018 season outlook: Like Sun Prairie, Middleton will have many new faces on both
Turn to Big 8/Page 14
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Gilles will have some protection with first-team all-conference offensive lineman Ben Johnson back, but first teamer Anthony Villanueva and second teamer Dominic Cooper are both gone. Gilles will have less experienced weapons on offense with three top running backs graduating, including firstteam all-conference selection Draven Peeples. Peeples rushed for 1,239 yards and 19 touchdowns on 177 attempts and added 179 yards and three touchdowns on 14 receptions. However, senior first-team all-conference wide receiver Cooper Nelson and junior second-team all-conference wide receiver Colin Schaefer do return in 2018. Nelson caught 39 passes for 794 yards and six touchdowns last season, and Schaefer finished with 446 yards and five touchdowns on 36 receptions. Other receivers will need to step up with the losses of Kaden Kauppinen and Caden
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12 – 2018 Football Guide – August 23, 2018
Verona football
Built on speed, Verona expects to stay near top of Big 8 MARK NESBITT Assistant sports editor
Despite a huddle full of new starters, expectations remain for the Verona football team to be in the Big Eight Conference title hunt. Verona coach Dave Richardson likes the speed and quickness of his skill players even though many are young and untested. There will be nine new starters each on offense and defense this season. “We will be right in the mix,” he said. “We are going to play Middleton in the second game of the year, and we will know right where we stand.” Verona went 6-3 last season, taking fourth in conference, before losing a Level 1 playoff game to Kettle Moraine 28-19. Two explosive players back for the Wildcats on offense are junior wide receiver Aubrey Dawkins and junior tight end/H-back Haakon Anderson. Dawkins had 18 receptions for 181 yards and three
Verona (6-4, 6-3) Letterwinners back/lost: 22/18 Starters back/lost: 4/18 touchdowns last season, and Anderson had 11 catches and rushed for 150 yards. The Wildcats run the pistol Wing-T offense that will be triggered by junior quarterback Adam Bekx. “He’s really worked in the offseason to be excellent,” Richardson said. “His football IQ is really good and has a great arm.” Verona will lean on juniors Sam Wood and Keegan Lindell at running back. Lindell is coming off a season in 2017 where he had 10 receptions. “We have a lot of good Photo by Mark Nesbitt skilled athletes on both sides of the ball,” Richardson said. The returning letterwinners for the Verona football etam include (front from left): Maxx Kaminski, Henry Tang, Keegan Lin“Our receiver and running dell, Calue Rufenacht, Aubrey Dawkins, Kyle Walton, Jake Coshun and Dylan Bourne. (Second row): Adam Bekx, Haakon back (core) is very solid. We Anderson, Will Leskouar, Jeremy Grim, Nick Grassman, Bryce Corning, Zach Poller and Chris Moynihan. (Back row): Ben Vandervest, Gunnar Kilen, Adam Vandervest, Jack Roehrig, Ben Cramer and J.T. Crunk.
Turn to Wildcats/Page 14
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2018 Football Guide – August 23, 2018 – 13
Madison West football
Youth rules for Regents, who hope to return to playoffs MARK NESBITT Assistant sports editor
With a stable of young players, the Madison West football team will look to build a perennial Big Eight Conference title contender. The Regents are looking to reload with youth after graduating 17 seniors who served as the core of a team last year that won the program’s second-most games (9) and had their deepest playoff run last year since 1981. The highlight for West was capped by a nail-biting win over Middleton in the Level 2 playoffs before falling to Sun Prairie in a state quarterfinal game. Madison West coach Brad Murphy said the team could start eight to 10 sophomores this season. The Regents will replace their entire backfield, most of the offensive line and half of their starting defense. West will also replace 10 starters on offense and seven on defense.
“We’re trying to change the culture,” Murphy said referencing becoming a perennial playoff team. “We’re excited about the future. We have a great freshmen class coming up.” One of the stabilizing forces for the Regents will be on the offensive and defensive lines. Patrick Horvath, a firstteam Big Eight All-Conference center, will anchor the offensive line. Other returning linemen, include guard Carson Meyer and part-time senior William Thomas. The Regents will get a boost from several transfer students, including Dayne Armwald who arrives from Middleton, where he played running back and defensive end. In addition to Armwald, the other defensive lineman returning is sophomore Sammy Smith who earned all-conference honorable mention last year. The other big transfer coming to the Regents is Kelvin Opoku-Appoh, who
received all-conference honors at running back, defensive back and special teams at Marshall in 2017. Opoku-Appoh’s younger brother, Collins, also joins the Madison West program, as a sophomore. The Regents’ split-back shotgun offense is expected to be spearheaded by quarterback Will Gutenecht. Ezra Thompson who played wide receiver and some quarterback last season, tore his ACL, and will miss the season. Thompson also started at safety last season, when he earned honorable mention all-conference. The biggest hole to fill for the Regents may be at middle linebacker where they will have to replace David Maravilla, who had more than 160 tackles last year. Sophomore Zach Mercier returns at linebacker and will take on more of a leadership role. Smith, who was the team’s second Photo by Mark Nesbitt leading tackler last year, The Madison West football team’s letterwinners back are, front row, from left, Zach Mercier, Nashaun Davis, Wesley Kidau. (Second row): Matias Laurila, Laurence Tran and Carson MeyTurn to Regents/Page 15 er. (Back row): Sammy Smith and William Thomas.
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14 – 2018 Football Guide – August 23, 2018
Wildcats: Look to new starters to lead team
Big 8: Top three look to hold court over Big 8
Continued from page 12
Continued from page 11
are flying around pretty good. I’m happy about that.” Providing protection and running lanes for the playmakers may be one of the biggest challenges for the Wildcats. Junior Adam Vandervest will help anchor the offensive line. Senior Bryce Corning was a part-time starter on the offensive line last season. Other players expected to fill big holes on the line are senior tackle Jack Roehrig and senior guard Jeremy Grim. “The areas we have to shore up quickly is the offensive and defensive line,” Richardson said. The Wildcats run a 3-4 defense led by senior middle linebacker Dylan Bourne, who had 105 tackles last year and was named first-team Big Eight All-Conference. Bourne is entering his third year as a starter at linebacker. “He has been a big part of the success Verona has had on defense the past two seasons,” Richardson said of Bourne. Dylan’s leadership skills and ability to adapt during plays makes him a dynamic player that helps propel the Wildcats’ defense.” Other defensive leaders for the Wildc a t s a r e s e n i o r d e f e n s ive e n d B e n Vandervest and junior defensive lineman Adam Vandervest. In the secondary, juniors Xavier Howard and Kyle Walton have experience.
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Big Eight Team Wins Losses Sun Prairie 9 0 Middleton 8 1 Madison West 7 2 Verona 6 3 La Follette 4 5 Jan. Craig 4 5 Mad. Memorial 4 5 Beloit Memorial 2 7 Jan. Parker 1 8 Madison East 0 9 Richardson said the top three teams vying to win a conference championship are Middleton, Sun Prairie and Madison Memorial. Verona plays just four home games this season, but the Wildcats will have some home cooking for big Big EIght showdowns hosting the preseason top three teams in the conference – Middleton (Friday, Aug. 24), Sun Prairie (Sept. 14) and Madison Memorial (Sept. 21) each at home. “The team must learn and gel quickly in order to compete each week in a tough Big Eight Conference,” he said. “A tophalf finish in the conference is the goal.”
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La Follette (4-6, 4-5)
Letterwinners returning/lost): 15/15 Starters (returning/lost): 10/12 2017 highlights: Made playoffs 2018 season outlook: The Lancers were one of seven Big Eight teams to make the playoffs last season, but there will be holes Jan. Craig (4-6, 4-5) to fill at both running back and on defense. Letterwinners Both quarterbacks from last year are back (returning/lost): 28/16 – senior Ray Broughton and junior Ben Probst. Broughton was 22-for-49 with 304 Starters yards and seven touchdowns and also rushed (returning/lost): 9/13 for 297 yards and two touchdowns on 63 2017 highlights: Made playoffs carries. Probst was 25-for-44 with 311 yards 2018 season outlook: The Cougars made and one touchdown. the playoffs last season, and they return both Junior wide receiver Charlie Kunkel is their starting quarterback and starting runTurn to Big 8/Page 15 ning back.
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sides of the ball. The Cardinals run a multiple I formation with two primary backs, but first-team all-conference running backs James Pabst and Dion Huff and second-team quarterback Davis Roquet have all graduated. Pabst and Huff combined for 1,906 yards and 33 touchdowns on 286 carries, and Roquet finished 97-for-182 with 1,148 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. Senior second-team wide receiver Bryce Carey returns after snagging 25 catches for 290 yards and two touchdowns. Senior second-team offensive lineman Gavin Adler returns to anchor the line, and coach Tim Simon wrote in a preview questionnaire that he expects the offensive line to be a strength this season. Senior honorable mention Kevin Meicher returns on defense. He finished with 39 total tackles (20 assisted) and had two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and a defensive touchdown. There are five first-team all-conference defenders that are gone, however. Defensive lineman Colin Liegel, defensive end Ryan Lewis, linebackers Jimmy Frusciante and Shane Bick and defensive back Cole Ragsdale all leave holes in key positions. Bick had 79 total tackles (35 assisted) with 10 for a loss, 2 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble, and Frusciante had 67 total tackles (30 assisted) with eight for a loss, 4 1/2 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception. Lewis added six sacks and four tackles for a loss, and Liegel had 1 1/2 sacks and six tackles for a loss. Ragsdale led defensive backs with three interceptions. Verona - see team preview on page 12 Madison West - see team preview on page 12
Senior Ben Coulter finished 49-for-118 with 662 yards, four touchdowns and 14 interceptions last season. Senior Devin Alderson rushed for 384 yards and two touchdowns on 67 carries. Senior honorable mention offensive/ defensive lineman Jacob Fieras is also back. Coulter will be without his favorite target from 2017 as second-team tight end Luke Malmanger is gone. Malmanger caught 32 passes for 405 yards and three touchdowns. Junior Tressin Kussmaul, who started at safety last season, is moving to fullback. Coach Adam Bunderson wrote in a preview questionnaire that he should surprise this season. Defensively, Janesville brings back second-team senior defensive lineman Keeanu Benton, second-team senior defensive back Tegan Christiansen, senior honorable mention linebacker Sam Smith and Fieras. Benton finished with 52 total tackles (28 assisted) with six for a loss and two sacks. Fieras had 29 total tackles (25 assisted) with one tackle for a loss. Christiansen had 54 total tackles (29 assisted) with two for a loss, four interceptions and a forced fumble, and Smith finished with 53 total tackles (34 assisted) and one for a loss. Second-team linebacker Seth Glissendorf is gone, however. He finished with 69 total tackles (39 assisted) with four for a loss, a sack, a forced fumble, an interception and a defensive touchdown.
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2018 Football Guide – August 23, 2018 – 15
Big 8: Middle of the pack looks to move up the ranks also back. He caught 13 passes for 155 yards. First-team wide receiver Anthony West (23 catches for 326 yards and seven touchdowns) is gone, though. Second-team running back Kayvion James-Ragland and running back Jacob Hendrix are also gone. James-Ragland finished with 581 yards and seven touchdowns on 107 carries and also caught five passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns. Hendrix finished with 593 yards and a touchdown on 115 carries. There is also a gap on the offensive line this season with the losses of firstteam Andre Dyslin and second-team Nathan Foster. On defense, senior honorable mention linebacker Peter Conley and senior honorable mention defensive back Jaden Nix both return. Conley had 75 total tackles (58 assisted) with three for a loss, two sacks, a forced fumble and a defensive touchdown. Nix had 34 total tackles (21 assisted) and two interceptions. Second-team linebacker Gavin Parr, second-team linebacker James-Ragland and second-team defensive back Nate Seward do leave holes to fill. Parr had 110 total tackles (82 assisted) with three for a loss and three sacks, and James-Ragland had 69 total tackles (51 assisted) with two for a loss, a sack, a forced fumble, an interception and a defensive touchdown. Seward finished with 39 total tackles (24 assisted) with a forced fumble and an interception.
Memorial (4-6, 4-5) Letterwinners (returning/lost): 11/17 Starters (returning/lost): 6/16 2017 highlights: Made playoffs 2018 season outlook: The Spartans were also a playoff team in 2017, and they bring back several playmakers this year. While second-team wide receiver Elliott Grays (23 receptions for 345 yards and four touchdowns) is gone, senior honorable mention wide receiver Mike Cerniglia, Jr. is back. Cerniglia Jr. finished with
23 receptions for 178 yards a touchdown last season. Junior quarterback Jason Ceniti is also back. Ceniti was 81-for-179 with 941 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions. Two of three top running backs return, as well. Drew Palmer (51 carries for 311 yards and a touchdown) graduated, but senior Arindas Vasser (30 carries for 137 yards and a touchdown) and junior Kam Marshall (34 carries for 180 yards and a touchdown) are both expected to take on a larger role in 2018. Senior honorable mention linebacker Jeremiah Jordan is expected to lead the defense.
Beloit Memorial (2-7) Letterwinners (returning/lost): 18/17 Starters (returning/lost): 10/12 2017 highlights: Won two games in a season for the first time since 2007 and snapped a 33-game losing streak 2018 season outlook: Beloit Memorial came into last season with a 30-game losing streak and started 0-3 before finally earning a ‘W.’ The Purple Knights added another win to complete its best season in a decade at 2-7. While some playmakers return from last year’s team, there are gaps to fill, as well. Senior quarterback Gannon Rand is expected to start after Curtis Luther graduated. Luther was 36-for-118 with 511 yards, five touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Senior honorable mention running back Eric Bridges is also back after gaining 545 yards and four touchdowns on 134 carries. Bridges also caught seven passes for 94 yards. Second-team running back Kyle Hereford, Jr. is gone, however. Hereford Jr. finished with 602 yards and five touchdowns on 137 carries. Senior first-team linebacker and punter Matthew Wedig is back and also plays wide receiver, where he caught 20 passes for 289 yards and five touchdowns. On defense, Wedig had 52 total tackles (26 assisted) with nine for a loss, two sacks, a forced fumble, two interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. Also back on defense is
senior second-team defensive lineman Christian Winfield and senior honorable mention linebacker Daryen Gaines. Winfield had 51 total tackles (21 assisted) with 14 for a loss, 6 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble. Gaines had 46 total tackles (21 assisted) with five for a loss and 2 1/2 sacks. The defense loses firstteam defensive end Amaurii Grosskopf, second-team linebacker Nik Carpenter and second-team defensive back Casper Clark. Grosskopf had 62 total tackles (30 assisted) with 16 for a loss and 2 1/2 sacks, and Clark had 83 total tackles (33 assisted) with two for a loss, four interceptions and a forced fumble. Carpenter had 77 total tackles (39 assisted) with nine for a loss, 2 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble.
(34 assisted) with two for a loss.
Madison East (0-9)
Letterwinners (returning/lost): 7/2 Starters (returning/lost): 18/4 2018 season outlook: The Purgolders return most of its starting team from 2017 in the hopes of moving up after a winless season. Senior honorable mention running back/linebacker Charles Dean is back after rushing for 73 yards on 60 carries, and junior running back Devion Clay also returns. Junior quarterback Phillip Roh III is back after finishing 49-for-107 with 523 yards, three touchdowns and nine interceptions. Sophomore wide receiver Javon Boyton caught 15 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown and looks to be Roh’s top target, and senior Janesville Parker (1-8) wide receivers Ian McCosky and Cade Neubauer also are Letterwinners back as starters. (returning/lost): n/a Besides Dean, honorable Starters (returning/lost): n/a mentions senior linebacker Thyles Henderson-Moss, 2018 season outlook: The Vikings had a tough junior defensive back Keon2017 season with just one te Jones and junior defensive win over winless Madison East, and it might be another tough one in 2018 with a lot of turnover. Parker graduated all three rostered quarterbacks. Kyle Birkett was 28-for-70 with 222 yards and two touchdowns and four interceptions, and Jordan Bailey was 11-for-31 for 228 yards and two touchdowns. Also gone is top running back Seamus Murphy who had 662 yards and five touchdowns on 162 carries. Junior Casey Vanderlin (40 carries for 118 yards) looks to jump into the starting running back role in 2018. Senior wide receivers Tremar Curry and Brady Lippens are back. Curry caught 17 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown, and Lippens caught 13 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. Parker also lost its top defender in defensive back Sam Garvoille. He had 68 total tackles (37 assisted) with one for a loss, a forced fumble and an interception. Senior defensive lineman Jakob Barlass and senior linebacker Toby Garvoille do return. Barlass finished with 52 total tackles (33 assisted) with four for a loss, and Toby Garvoille had 51 total tackles
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Sophomore quarterback William Gutknecht (1) takes over as the Madison West starter this season.
Regents: Transfers could be key where the Regents stack up against other Madison city schools. and Mercier, will lead a 4-3 West opened the season defense. at Madison La Follettee and It won’t take long to see Madison East. Continued from page 13
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16 – 2018 Football Guide – August 23, 2018
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