Prep football preview: A look at the Milwaukee-area conferences
Mark Stewart
BIG EAST
2016 champion: Ozaukee and Hilbert/Stockbridge.
2017 favorite: Cedar Grove-Belgium.
Other contenders: Hilbert/Stockbridge, Oostburg, Ozaukee.
Key players: Cedar Grove-Belgium – Jason von Heimberg, sr., QB; Bryce Morgan, sr., RB-LB; Hilbert – Bennett Lau, sr., RB-LB; Kyle Krueger, sr., OL-DE. Howards Grove – Eric Reinemann, sr., TE-DB; Isaac Dirker, sr., QB-DB; Manitowoc Lutheran – Brock Staudt, sr., RB-LB; Colin Hillmer, sr., RB-DB. Oostburg – Tadeo Maier, sr., RB-LB; Brent Greupink, sr., FB-UTL. Ozaukee – Seth Stageman, sr., OL-DE; Ridge Wood, sr., FB-DE. Random Lake – Travis Jacob, sr., RB-DB; Scott Paulus, sr., OL-DE. Reedsville – Brandon Stelzer, jr., RB-LB; Sam Eiles, sr., FB-LB. St. Mary Catholic: James Schultz, sr., RB-LB; Noah O’Bre, sr., TE-LB.
Outlook: In a year when many of the teams are reloading after graduating strong senior classes, Cedar Grove-Belgium might have what it takes to win its first Big East title. Von Heimberg successfully led the team when all-state QB Josh Weiss was out with an injury, the left side of the offensive line is back and the front seven on defense should be stout. Ozaukee, anchored by a strong offensive line, will remain in the hunt, too.
CLASSIC 8
2016 champion: Catholic Memorial.
2017 favorite: Waukesha West.
Other contenders: Catholic Memorial, Muskego, Arrowhead.
Key players: Arrowhead – Chandler Pulvermacher, sr., DB; D.J. Dean, sr., OL. Catholic Memorial – C.J. Goetz, sr., TE-LB; Ben Nimz, sr., QB; Kettle Moraine – Mike Timm, sr., RB-LB; Logan Ries, sr., DE. Mukwonago – Aric Bohn, sr., OL-DL; Jesse Schmidt, sr., LB. Muskego – A.J. Spychala, sr., RB-WR-LB; Sam Kurth, sr., OL. Oconomowoc – Chandler Voight, sr., DL; Ryan Hayes, sr., WR. Waukesha North – Will McDonald, sr., DE-WR; Sean Zsori, sr., OL. Waukesha South – Grayson Cooley, sr., QB; Jack Lehman, sr. OL. Waukesha West – Peter MacCudden, sr., RB-DB; Bryce Texiera, sr., OL-DL.
Outlook: West, which returns seven all-conference players, has what it takes to not only win the league but also go far in the playoffs. The program has won 10 playoff games over the past three seasons. Memorial graduated much of its star power from last season but returns a lot of players who received significant snaps. Don’t count out Muskego, which played many juniors last season, or Arrowhead, which is probably smarting after last year’s 5-5 mark. Kettle Moraine could surprise.
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EAST CENTRAL
2016 champion: Kewaskum, Plymouth and Berlin.
2017 favorite: Kewaskum.
Other contenders: Plymouth, Berlin.
Key players: Berlin – Chris Werch, sr., RB-DB; Trevor Hendrickson, sr., RB-DB. Campbellsport – Connor Kissinger, sr., QB-DB; Nick Narges, jr., RB-LB. Kewaskum – Tony Steger, sr., QB-DB; Riley Donovan, sr., OL-DL. Plymouth – Derek Novotny, sr., RB-DB; Mackade Mella, sr., WR-LB. Ripon – Marshall Morrin, sr., OL-LB; Cody Merrill, sr., TE-DB. Waupun – Caleb Sauer, sr., RB-DB; Robert Woock, sr., OL-DL.
Outlook: Kewaskum returns five all-conference players, including Steger and Donovan who were first-team picks on offense and defense, respectively. Steger moves to quarterback from receiver after catching 44 passes for 738 yards last season. The Indians’ top competition will be the same schools that were in the hunt last year. Both Berlin and Plymouth feature speed and good athletes
GREATER METRO
2016 champion: Brookfield Central.
2017 favorite: Brookfield Central.
Other contenders: Brookfield East, Marquette, Germantown.
Key players: Brookfield Central – Drew Leszczynski, jr, QB; Reggie Jennings, sr., LB; Zach Heckman, sr., RB. Brookfield East – Caleb Wright, sr., RB-DE; Brad Dati, sr., LB; Ron Edwards, sr., DL. Germantown – Zach Schaeve, sr., OL; Colton Thomas, sr., LB. Marquette – Joe Heffernan, sr., LB; Jake Finerty, sr., DL. Menomonee Falls – Julius Davis, jr., RB. Sussex Hamilton – Ryan Filo, sr., OL-DL; Jackson Kollath, jr., RB-DB. Wauwatosa East – Scott Henry, sr. RB-DB; Cole Tate, sr., WR-DB. Wauwatosa West – Austin Ertl, jr., OL-DL; Jimmy Fuhrman, jr., OL. West Allis Hale – Thomas Hines, sr., RB-WR; Jonathan Rau, sr., LB.
Outlook: Central has won two straight GMC titles and could be on its way to a third. The defense, which features three first-team all-conference players, will be stingy. Brookfield East is expecting similar play from its defense. Wright, Edwards and Dati are three-year starters. Central and East are the clear-cut 1a and 1b of the league, but Marquette always competes and Germantown has a long history of success.
METRO CLASSIC
2016 champion: Racine St. Catherine’s.
2017 favorite: St. Catherine’s.
Other contenders: Martin Luther, Kenosha St. Joseph, Racine Lutheran.
Key players: Catholic Central – Chad Zirbel, sr., QB-LB. Dominican – Bo Bennett, jr., QB; Drew Dlugopolski, jr., TE. Jalen Black, sr., LB. Martin Luther – Darios Garrett, jr., RB-DB; Luke Howard, sr., WR. Racine Lutheran – Josh Hess, jr., WR; Dakota Dexter, sr., OL. St. Thomas More – Kenton Wilk, sr., QB-WR-DB; Eric Williams, jr., RB. Shoreland Lutheran – Jared Landreman, sr., RB-LB-K; Zach Slechta, sr.,
OL-DL.
Outlook: St. Catherine’s might not just be on track for a second straight conference title, it could be in line for a long playoff run. Last year the team lost a tight second-round playoff game with Cedar Grove-Belgium, which went on to finish as the state runner-up. The Angels return nine all-conference players from that squad, including Brown, who was the offensive player of the year in the league.
MIDWEST CLASSIC
2016 champion: Lake Country Lutheran.
2017 favorite: Lake Country Lutheran.
Other contenders: St. Francis, University School.
Key players: Brookfield Academy – Connor Guest, sr., LB; Jonny Jensen, sr., WR. Lake Country Lutheran – Ethan Wilkins, jr. QB; Isaac Simons, jr., OL-LB. Living Word Lutheran – Cain Gideon, sr., OL-DL; Goeman Cale, sr., RB. St. Francis – R.J. Clarke, sr., OL-DL; Christian Reynosa, sr., WR-DB. St. John’s Northwestern – Denzel Legree-Simmons, jr., QB; Luis Deleon, jr., WR-RB; University School – Will Kennedy, sr., RB; Tripp Grebe, jr., WR-DB.
Outlook: Lake Country Lutheran is in line for its fourth straight title if it can stay a step ahead of St. Francis and University School. St. Francis has a physical team that will be strong at stuffing the run as well as running the ball. USM has a top-notch group of skill players led by all-league picks Kennedy and Grebe. Lutheran, meanwhile, has six returning all-conference players. It faces University School (Sept. 22) and St. Francis (Oct. 6) on the road.
MILWAUKEE CITY BLACKBOURN
2016 champion: King.
2017 favorite: King.
Other contenders: Marshall, Vincent.
Key players: Obama SCTE - Donovan Howard, sr., RB-LB-DB; Ahmad Blake, jr., OL-LB-DE; Kevonte Hamilton, jr., QB-LB. King – Rashad Shabazz, jr., LB; Kameron Brown, sr., DB; Tay’jion Johnson, jr., OL-DL; Kris Goodrum, sr., OL-DE; A.J. Paea, sr., OL-DL. Marshall – Dennis Brown, sr., QB-DB; Kerryon Taylor, sr., TE-DE. Washington – Nick Flinn, sr., WR; Hunter Rushing, sr. QB.
Outlook: On paper the Generals are more vulnerable than they’ve been in recent years. Shabazz and Goodrum are the only all-conference player the squad has back. Marshall and Vincent were much improved last season, a trend coaches in the league believe will continue. Those teams have a lot of ground to make up, though. King beat them by an average of 40 points last season.
MILWAUKEE CITY RICHARDSON
2016 champion: Riverside.
2017 favorite: Riverside.
Other contenders: Bay View, Hamilton.
Key players: Bay View – Isiah Wright, sr., QB; Andre Childs, sr., WR; Greg Lehman, sr., DL. Bradley Tech – Rayshawn Simpson, jr. RB-LB; Christopher Reed, soph., DB; Ivron King-Perkins, jr., RB-LB. Hamilton – Xavier Davis, sr., QB; Lazabia Jackson, sr. RB; Edwin Ferrer, sr., OL-DL. Reagan – Max Gulland, jr., RB-LB; Isaac Lewis, jr., TE-LB. Riverside – Corey White, jr., DB; Jerrel Gimpl, sr., OL; Jahari Clark, jr, QB; Trayveyon Williams, sr., LB; South – Devion Pembleton, sr., OL-DL; Brison Bynum, sr., RB-DB.
Outlook: Riverside waited five years between conference titles, so don’t expect it give up the crown easily. The Tigers have good numbers and a handful of playmakers at key positions. Who’s next? We’ll give the nod to Bay View, which has a senior-laden team led by Wright, who is the reigning conference offensive player of the year. Don’t sleep on Hamilton. The Wildcats return its top running back and quarterback plus four offensive linemen and then on defense lost just three starters.
NORTH SHORE
2016 champion: Homestead.
2017 favorite: Homestead.
Other contenders: Whitefish Bay, Hartford, Slinger.
Key players: Cedarburg – Jason Miller, sr., OL. Grafton – Jack Orlowski, jr., WR-DB-P; John Kluck, sr., WR-LB. Hartford – Ethan Chivas, sr., LB; Seth Kuchinski, sr., LB. Homestead – Mike Bruner, sr., LB; Jordan Schroeder, sr., DL; Brad Woldt, sr., RB. Nicolet – John Quam, sr., OL; Andrew Eidenberger, sr., QB. Port Washington – Jake Lippe, jr., WR-DB; Michael Murphy, sr., LB. Slinger – Tyler Evans, sr., QB-DB-P; Jason Klink, sr., RB; Jak Kedinger, sr., LB. West Bend East – Kyle Yochem, sr., RB; Tony Bland, sr., WR. West Bend West – Canon Melstrand, sr., QB; Austin Zellmer, sr., OL. Whitefish Bay – Cade Garcia, sr., QB; Alex Anthony, sr., WR; Jordan Riley, sr., DT.
Outlook: Year after year Homestead does the job in the conference, so it wouldn’t be wise to pick against the Highlanders this year. The team returns seven starters on defense and has all-league performers on all three levels of the unit. However, the buzz surrounding Bay is justified. There is a lot of talent back from a team that got a taste of success last season.
ROCK VALLEY
2016 champion: Evansville/Albany and Clinton.
2017 favorite: Jefferson.
Other contenders: Clinton, Evansville/Albany, East Troy, Beloit Turner.
Key players: Beloit Turner – Juan Reyes, sr., WR-DB; Brandon Malkow, sr., OL-DL. Big Foot – Jackson Enz, sr., QB; Pedro Sierra, sr., WR-DB. Clinton – Tyler Halsted, sr., QB-DB. Edgerton – Jaden Johnson, jr., QB; Mason Simmons, jr., WR-LB. Evansville/Albany – Zach Mielke, sr, QB; Jeb Beck, sr., OL. Jefferson – Paul Hollenberger, sr., LB; Evan Anfang, sr., RB. McFarland – Tysen White, jr., RB-DB; Cade Werwinski, sr., H-backp-DE. Whitewater – Jimmy DuVal, sr., RB-WR-LB; Tyler Sheffield, sr., RB-LB; Daniel Fuller, sr., QB.
Outlook: A large senior class could help Jefferson leap over last year’s co-champions. Many coaches in the league, however, see a lot of balance. There are also a number of good quarterbacks: Evansville/Albany’s Mielke, Big Foot’s Enz and Clinton’s Halsted were all-conference picks last season.
SOUTHEAST
2016 champion: Franklin.
2017 favorite: Franklin.
Other contenders: Oak Creek, Kenosha Bradford, Racine Horlick.
Key players: Franklin – Max Alba, sr., QB; Trevor Shohoney, sr., OL; Brad Tobin, sr., DB. Kenosha Bradford – Tony Martin, sr., QB; Trey Glass,sr.,LB. Kenosha Indian Trail – Jared Wenberg, sr., QB; Danny Jones, sr., DB. Kenosha Tremper – Jakobi Witt, jr. OL; Dante Gennaccarro, sr., LB. Oak Creek – Owen Rozumalski, sr., OL-DL; Elijah Robinson, sr., RB; Ryan Harvey-Turner, sr., WR-DB. Racine Horlick – Joe Garcia III, sr., QB-RB-DB; Derrick Seay, sr., WR-DB; George Simms, sr., RB-DB. Racine Park – MeShawn Byles, sr., RB-WR-DB; Austin Siegal, sr., LB.
Outlook: Franklin is thinking big and for good reason. The team returns 15 starters from the squad that reached the Division 1 state final last season and is led by a guy many believe is the top quarterback in the state. The more interesting race will be for second. Oak Creek is the team to beat in this regard, but don’t be surprised if Bradford makes a jump from its 4-6 record of last season. The Red Devils have a great senior class that features eight returning all-conference players, many of whom have been varsity contributors since sophomore year.
SOUTHERN LAKES
2016 champion: Badger.
2017 favorite: Badger
Other contenders: Wilmot, Waterford.
Key players: Badger – Alex Evans, sr., T-DE; Will Keller, sr., RB-DB;.Sarek Hoerth, sr., OL-DL. Delavan-Darien – Michael Maldonado, sr., RB-OLB; Jaxson Sawtelle, sr., WR-DB. Elkhorn – Braden Mohr, sr., QB; Dakota Biefeld, sr., RB. Waterford – Ben Michalowski, sr., RB; Dan Noll, sr., LB. Wilmot – A.J. Frisby, sr., QB-DB; Robert Brent, sr., RB-DB; Zack Christopherson, sr., RB-LB.
Outlook: Get ready for another tight race in what has been one of the area’s most tightly contested conferences. With 22 players with starting experience, Badger, a state finalist the past two years, has a chance for another strong season. Wilmot and Waterford will be right there, though. Wilmot returns 15 starters from a team that finished second in the league. Waterford, which had won five straight titles before last season, has a handful of all-conference player back.
WOODLAND EAST
2016 champion: Greenfield.
2017 favorite: Greenfield.
Other contenders: Milwaukee Lutheran.
Key players: Brown Deer – Tejhuan Palmer, sr., WR-DB, Troy Lambert, jr., OL-LB. Cudahy – Austin Eichstaedt, jr., TE; Oscar Arroyo, sr., DL. Greenfield – Rajveer Singh, sr., OL; Jonas Woods, sr., OL-DL. Milwaukee Lutheran – Josiah Hedrington, sr., QB; Michael Torrence, sr., LB; Ben Forke, sr. OL. Shorewood/Messmer – Jake Nation, sr., OL-DL; Jathon Turner, sr., TE-DL; Eli Rivera, sr., TE-DE. South Milwaukee – Aengus White, sr., OL; Austin Januchowski, sr., DL; Joel Reyes, sr., RB.
Outlook: Greenfield is in a good place these days. The team has won the last two division titles and is most coaches’ pick to win the division this year. North Shore Conference transplant Milwaukee Lutheran is also expected to make an immediate impact on the league. After that it could go from Shorewood/Messmer to Whitnall and South Milwaukee, a couple of teams itching to prove themselves after down 2016 seasons.
WOODLAND WEST
2016 champion: Pewaukee
2017 favorite: Pewaukee
Other contenders: Greendale, New Berlin Eisenhower, Wisconsin Lutheran.
Key players: Greendale – Jaelen Johnson, sr. DE; Josh Dymond, jr., OL. New Berlin Eisenhower – Bryce Miller, sr., QB; Stephen Halusan, sr. WR; Jake Belongia, sr., RB-LB. New Berlin West – Nate Artenian, sr., DB; Egan Iwanski, sr., WR-DB-K-P. Pewaukee – Seth Bickett, sr., RB-DL; Connor Vogt, sr., WR-DB; David Young, sr., WR-DB. Pius XI – Luc Leszczynski, sr., OL-DL; Jonathan Lee, sr. TE-LB; Dexter Love, soph., RB. West Allis Central – Glenn Martin, jr., RB; Colten Rosas, sr., RB-DB. Wisconsin Lutheran – Armani Buckley, sr., RB-DB; Adler Peterson, sr., OL-DL.
Outlook: Good luck knocking the Pirates out of the top spot. They return 25 seniors from a team that reached the Division 3 state semifinals, a group led by Bickett, a two-time all-state defensive tackle. The addition of Wisconsin Lutheran and West Allis Central has made a deep division even tougher but expect Greendale to continue to be in the mix. Eisenhower has a quality senior class led by Miller, who is the league’s top quarterback.