Prep football preview: New Berlin Eisenhower, Greendale are again the favorites in Woodland
New Berlin Eisenhower dominated its way to a Division 3 state championship game appearance one year ago, but it now has the rest of the Woodland West coming for its top spot entering 2018.
The Lions went 13-1 in 2017, not allowing a touchdown in the first half from Week 2 until Level 4 of the playoffs. They lost a significant amount of starters on both sides of the ball, but still return a solid core that includes offensive and defensive lineman Mark Shields, who may be the best player in the conference.
Greendale is likely the biggest threat to Eisenhower as it returns plenty of talent from a 9-3 team last year.
The coaches in the West were divided between the two teams, with the Panthers receiving four top votes and the Lions three.
After that, Pewaukee will look to replace most of its all-conference players from a year ago with a team that has been highly successful at the lower levels. Wisconsin Lutheran also returns almost its entire offense, including explosive running back Jacqueze Lockett.
But, as one Woodland coach said, “Eisenhower is the champs until they are knocked off.”
The East division of the Woodland Conference is perhaps even more wide open.
A year ago, Whitnall won the conference by two games over Milwaukee Lutheran, but must replace nearly its entire offense now. The Red Knights had a strong showing in their first year in the Woodland, going 5-3 in conference play.
Greenfield, the 2016 champion, will look make a dark horse run to the top of the conference, as well.
CONFERENCE PREVIEWS:Classic 8 | North Shore | Southeast
Here is a closer look at the Woodland Conference.
Five players to watch:
Mark Shields, OL-DL, New Berlin Eisenhower; Josh Dymond, OL-DL, Greendale; Nick Paget, LB, New Berlin West; Jacqueze Lockett, RB, Wisconsin Lutheran; Aaron Eimers, QB, Shorewood/Messmer
East Division
Brown Deer
Coach: Rob Green, 18th year
2017 record: 1-8, 1-7 (sixth place, East)
Returning all-conference players: Joe Marshall, jr., QB; Ahmad McClain, sr., LB; Matt Parrish, sr., LB
Outlook: The smallest school in the Woodland, Brown Deer has won just two conference games since the beginning of the 2015 season after an extended string of success and playoff appearances. Marshall returns as the starter after throwing for 13 touchdowns a year ago, and the Falcons will need a big year out of him while continuing to develop depth to get back to their former level.
Cudahy
Coach: Max Wasikowski, 5th year
2017 record: 0-9, 0-8 (seventh, East)
Returning all-conference players: Austin Eichstaedt, sr., TE; Cameron Krueger, sr., DB; Mason Heath, sr., LB
Outlook: The Packers are seeking their first playoff appearance since 2015, but will need to make significant steps forward to do so. Bryce Barbian showed some potential as a freshman quarterback, completing 52.9% of his passes and Eichstaedt presents a threat as a receiver. The defense, which allowed less than 30 points twice last season, will have some new faces looking to step up.
Greenfield
Coach: Keith Ringelberg, 2nd year
2017 record: 5-6, 4-4 (third, East)
Returning all-conference players: Elijah Rosario, sr., WR; Ahmad Assad, sr., OL; Omarian Bartlett, jr., QB
Other key players: Matt Abramczyk, sr., TE-DL; Jake Wenzel, sr., CB
Outlook: The Hawks bring back solid athletes at quarterback and wide receiver, as well one returning all-conference offensive lineman, but will have to see their young linebackers and the line adapt quickly to make a push. They turned an 0-2 start to the season into a Level 2 playoff appearance, which is a positive for Ringelberg’s team to build upon entering 2018 in his second year.
Milwaukee Lutheran
Coach: Erich Janousky, 4th year
2017 record: 5-5, 5-3 (second, East)
Returning all-conference players: Ken Daniel Jr., sr., RB
Outlook: The Red Knights had a strong opening year in the conference, but only return one of 12 all-conference players from 2017. Daniel Jr. is one of the top running backs in the conference and a powerful runner, but replacing five first-team all-division defenders will be the top task at hand for Lutheran.
Shorewood/Messmer
Coach: Antoine Davis, first year
2017 record: 4-5, 3-5 (fourth, East))
Returning all-conference players: Aaron Eimers, sr., QB
Other key players: Jefferson Carson, sr., OL; Zoe McDowell, sr., RB-S; Jerimiah Boyle, Sr., OL-DL; Delroy Perine, sr., WR-DB
Outlook: It will all start up front for the Greyhounds, who were one win away from a playoff appearance last year. One all-conference offensive lineman graduated, which gives them strength up front, blocking the way for Eimers, the returning starter, who also rushed for 825 yards. McDowell was Shorewood’s No. 2 rusher, going for 460 yards, which gives the Greyhounds a 1-2 punch.
South Milwaukee
Head coach: Mike Bertok, 3rd year
2017 record: 3-6, 3-5 (fourth, East)
Returning all-conference players: Ty Spaltholz, sr., OL-DL; Jake Wysocki, sr., WR-DB
Other key players: Ryan Johnson, sr., OL-DL; Zach Paczocha, sr., WR-DB; Emmett Lentz, jr., WR-LB; Tarik Slusar, jr., QB
Outlook: The Rockets enter the year with a strong junior class, which, along with a group of seniors led by Spaltholz and Wysocki, they can use to make a run to the playoffs. Slusar returns as a 6-foot-5 quarterback after starting three games as a sophomore. Paczocha and Lentz are back from injuries suffered last year. Battles with inconsistency cost the Rockets last season as they seek their first playoff appearance since 2014.
Whitnall
Head coach: Robb Widuch, first year
2017 record: 9-2, 7-1 (first, West)
Returning all-conference players: Nate Valcarel, jr., RB-DB, Anthony Vacula, jr., OL-DL; Tyler Arthur, jr., LB; Sam Thut, sr., K, Ian Davies, sr., P;
Other key players: Miguel Perez, sr., WR-DB; David Haun, sr., QB
Outlook: There are a lot of new elements to the Falcons this year. Widuch takes over for John Quinlan at the helm as Whitnall looks to replace 11 starters on offense. The good news is it has some talent on the outside, including Perez and Valcarel, and the defensive line should be the strength of the team with Vacula and Travis Seidler returning as starters as part of a strong junior class.
West Division
Greendale
Coach: Rob Stoltz, 18th year
2017 record: 9-3, 7-1 (second, West)
Returning all-conference players: Josh Dymond, sr., OL-DL; JR Muth, sr., WR-DB; Josh Dooley, sr., OL; Masaeo Wooden, sr., LB; Noah Radka, sr., LB; Sean Sanchez, sr., P
Other key players: Paul Toetz, sr., RB-DB Andy Vey, sr., LB; Ben Francel, jr., OL-DL
Outlook: The most experienced coach in the conference also has perhaps the most experienced group. Six all-conference players return for the Panthers as well as multiple other starters. Last year, their only conference loss came at the hands of Eisenhower. You may want to schedule September 7 in your calendars for the two teams’ meeting.
New Berlin Eisenhower
Coach: Matt Kern, 5th year
2017 record: 13-1, 8-0 (first, West)
Returning all-conference players: Jack Himmelspach, sr., RB; Mark Shields, sr., DL; Jake Schara, sr., DB; Isaac Freichels, jr., OL
Other key players: Davy Counsell, sr., OL-DL; Nate Clark, sr., TE-LB; Ben Buechel, sr., WR-LB; Sam Tausz, sr., WR-LB
Outlook: The Lions have established a strong enough program where they hope that they can reload in 2018 without skipping a beat. Their four returning all-conference players will all form a strong defensive core. Other contributors to last year’s team are back, as well, for Kern and company.
New Berlin West
Coach: Ben Chossek, 3rd year
2017 record: 6-4, 5-3 (fourth, West)
Returning all-conference players: Tyler Stoltenberg, sr., WR; Sam Meleski, sr., RB-LB; Nick Paget, sr., LB
Other key players: Donoven Acevedo, jr., OL-DL; Joey Dimotto, jr., OL-DL; Paul Nennig, soph., OL-LB; Jared Henrich, soph., OL-DL
Outlook: Chossek identified his team’s playmakers on offense and its trio of three-year starters at linebacker as its strengths. Paget was one of the best linebackers in the conference last year and is now back for his senior campaign. The Vikings lost a number of two-year contributors from the 2017 roster, which means younger players will need to step up as they attempt to diversify the offense.
Pewaukee
Coach: Justin Friske, 7th year
2017 record: 8-3, 6-2 (third, West)
Returning all-conference players: David Bell, sr., OL; Abel Savage, sr., DL
Other key player: Tyler Schroeder, sr., WR-DB; Masen Beatty, sr., RB-LB; Josh Geisel, sr., RB-LB; Justus Zemberi, jr., RB-S; Elliott Mueller, soph.,
Outlook: The Pirates may not have the most experience in the conference, but they hope to make up for that in their numbers and depth. Most of their players have little-to-no varsity experience, but have found success at junior varsity and other levels.
Pius XI
Coach: John Rasmussen, 1st year
2017 record: 2-7, 2-6 (sixth, West)
Returning all-conference players: Jamnotte Brown, sr., TE-DE
Other key players: Dasani Garner, jr., RB
Outlook: The Popes’ strength will be in their skill positions, with Garner and receiver Kobe Bonds and James Bunzel leading the way. To make a run in the conference, they will need to find the right combination from an offensive line that is short on depth.
West Allis Central
Coach: Ray Hubbard, 2nd year
2017 record: 2-7, 2-6 (sixth, West)
Returning all-conference players: Glenn Martin, sr., RB; Tim Seymour, sr., DL
Other key players: Riley Whitted, sr., QB; Bryce DeBack, sr., TE-LB; Gunther Johnson, sr., OL-DL; Vincent Conroy-Munoz, sr., TE-DE; Jake Fierst, sr., OL-DL; Andrew Hoaglan, sr., OL-DL
Outlook: The Bulldogs are senior-heavy as they look to rebound from a two-win campaign a year ago. Martin leads a solid trio of running backs who will benefit from a solid offensive line.
Wisconsin Lutheran
Coach: Joel Radue, 4th year
2017 record: 3-6, 3-5 (fifth, West)
Returning all-conference players: Jacqueze Lockett, sr., RB; Sam Gerhard, sr., OL; David Frey, sr., TE
Other key players: Collin Olson, sr., QB; Noah Bilitz, sr., WR-DB; Elijah Henning, sr., RB-DB; Isaiah Hahm, sr., OL-DL; Alex Verduzco, sr., OL-DL
Outlook: With 18 starters and 27 letterwinners back, the Vikings have the experience to improve upon their three-win campaign. Still, they have some ground to make up on the top teams in the conference, losing by an average of 31 points to Eisenhower, Greendale and Pewaukee last year.