Prep football preview: Southeast conference playing catch-up with Franklin

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Defensive back Brad Tobin (front) is a three-year starter for Franklin.

By this point, we all know about Franklin.

The Sabers, who reached the Division 1 state final last season, are loaded with talent. Fifteen starters are back and the team opens the year ranked No. 1 in the area by the Journal Sentinel.

There, however, is more to the Southeast Conference than the four-time defending champion. There is a lot of building going on, too

Kenosha Tremper, Racine Park and Racine Case are trying to gain footing with their rebuilding effort. Meanwhile, Racine Horlick and Kenosha Bradford have started to see some of the fruits of their labor.

We’ll see if those teams can keep climbing in 2017.

Here is a closer look at the Southeast Conference.

FRANKLIN

Coach: Louis Brown, seventh year.

2016 record: 12-2, 7-0 (first).

Returning all-conference players: Max Alba, sr., QB; Trevor Shohoney, sr., OL; Brad Tobin, sr., DB-ATH; Peter Narrin, sr., OL; Murphy McCutheon, s., LB; Jake Baumquardt, sr., DE; Alec Baudry, jr., LB.

Outlook: There is more to the Sabers than their all-state quarterback. Shohoney has committed to Division I South Dakota. Tobin is a three-year starter who will see action on offense this season. Baudry was a first-team all-SEC pick. A top concern is replacing all-state defensive linemen Hawk Wimmer, who is at Air Force, and Latron Kirk-Sprewer. Standout receivers Kyle Lewis and Ethan Wittenberg will also be missed.

KENOSHA BRADFORD

Coach: Matt Rizzo, fifth year.

2016 record: 4-6, 4-3 (tied for third).

Returning all-conference players: Tony Martin, sr., QB; Erick Doke III, sr., RB; Trey Glass, sr., LB; Andrew Lyons, sr., OL; TQ Washington, sr., WR-DB; Marquon Williams, sr., WR; Dominique Glass, sr.LB.

Outlook: The team took a major hit when Doke, a Northern Illinois recruit, tore his anterior cruciate ligament and was lost for the year. Still, there is reason for to be excited about this team. The Red Devils could make a jump thanks to a talented senior class, some of whom have been varsity contributors since their sophomore years. The offense is going to have to adjust to life without Doke.

KENOSHA INDIAN TRAIL

Coach: Paul Hoffman, first year.

2016 record: 5-5, 4-3 (tied for third).

Returning all-conference players: Jared Wenberg, sr., QB.

Other key players: Jack Granucci, sr., RB; Danny Jones, sr., DB; Ben Simar, sr., OL; Colin Miske, sr. OL; Jhe’Veon St. Julien, jr. DL; Evan Callow, sr., DB; Gabe Torano, sr., WR.

Outlook: Hoffman succeeds Mike McKay, who led the program during its first five varsity seasons. The Hawks quickly became one of the top programs in the conference and they should remain in the mix this year. When you think Indian Trail, think quarterback play, rushing attack and senior leadership. Wenberg (6-2, 185) has a big arm. Granucci averaged 6.4 yards per carry last season, the best of the team’s regulars, and ranked second with 521 rushing yards. The defense is young and developing.

KENOSHA TREMPER

Coach: Jared McGranahan, second season.

2016 record: 2-8, 2-5 (tied for sixth).

Returning all-conference players: Jakobi Witt, jr., OL; Dane Gennaccarro, sr., LB.

Other key players: Tamarius Harvey, jr., DB.

Outlook: The Trojans may not be ready for prime time yet, but the program has made strides. The roster has grown by more than 30 since last year and, according to McGranahan, there is some excitement about the future. This year the challenge of being competitive will start up front with both lines being able to answer the bell in a league that is known to be physical. Witt and Gennaccarro were second-team all-SEC picks.

OAK CREEK

Coach: Mike Bartholomew, 11^th season.

2016 record: 7-4, 4-3 (tied for third).

Returning all-conference players: Owen Rozumalski, sr., OL; Elijah Robinson, sr. RB; Ryan Harvey-Turner, sr., WR.

Other key players: James Carter, sr., WR-DB; Zach Reader, sr. QB; Joey Martini, sr., DB.

Outlook: The Knights have the potential to make Bartholomew’s last season – he has resigned effective the end of the season – special. They were on the cusp of a big season last year only to have it derailed by three losses in which they couldn’t maintain fourth-quarter leads. The offense, which returns its starting quarterback, top receiver (Harvey-Turner) and a 1,000-yard rusher in Robinson, will be explosive. And coming up the ranks are players from strong teams at the lower level who are ready to fill holes.

RACINE CASE

Coach: Brian Shredl, third year.

2016 record: 2-7, 2-5

Outlook: Progress. That is what we saw from the Eagles last season. They scored back-to-back victories over Racine Park and Kenosha Tremper and were competitive with Franklin, Racine Horlick and Waterford.

RACINE HORLICK

Coach: Brian Fletcher, eighth season

2016 record: 8-4, 5-2 (second).

Returning all-conference players: Joe Garcia, sr., RB-DB; Derrick Seay, sr., WR-DB; Stephon Chapman, jr., RB-LB; George Simms, sr., RB-DB; Jager Clark, jr., FB-LB; Nick Nelson, sr. OL-DL.

Other key players: Sawyer Schick, sr. QB; Payton Johnstone, sr., TE-DE.

Outlook: The Rebels’ eight victories last season were their most since winning nine in 2008. Seven players return on each side of the ball. Offensively don’t expect the team to get away from the run-first philosophy that made it one of the state’s most productive ground games. Garcia ran for 1,580 yards and was the offensive most valuable player of the league. His return makes the development of an offensive line that is young in spots even more important.

RACINE PARK

Coach: Andy Siegel, second year.

2016 record: 0-10, 0-7 (eighth).

Returning all-conference players: Meshawn Byles, sr. RB-WR-CB- KR; Austin Siegel, sr., LB.

Other key players: Ricky Canady, soph., Racine Park; Rashein Thomas, soph., DL-OLB; Noah Ford, sr., WR-DB; Isiah Rea-Lopez, sr., WR-DB; Daniel Peters, sr., LB; Tyler Chivarollitti, sr., QB; Trey Williams, sr., OL-DL; Ghage Klein, sr., OL_DL; Ralph Woodington, soph., OL; Jeremiah Moll, sr., OL.

Outlook: The Panthers lack depth and don’t have great speed. Andy Siegel, however, likes his team’s attitude and how hard it works. Byles led the team in rushing last year. Austin Siegel was second in the team in tackles. There are some potential studs in the sophomore class in Thomas, Canady and Woodlington.