North Squad falls in WFCA All-Star game 24-16
By David Paradise
Star-Times Sports Editor
Former Mauston football coach Mike Taake patrolled the sideline one last time this weekend at the annual Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Star game in Oshkosh as head coach of the Division 1-3 North All-Stars.
Taake had some familiar company with him. Assisting Taake on the coaching staff was longtime assistant and current Golden Eagles coach Jim Dillin. Playing defense was last season's team MVP Pat Guyse and as always Taake's daughter Mallory was on the sideline helping out.
"It was awesome having them there. Pat was a little dinged up but had a very good game. Working with Jim one last time was great and he did an awesome job and having Mallory on the sideline was a real treat," said Taake.
In the game the South team was able to open up a 17-0 lead early in the third, but Taake's North team wouldn't quit and closed the gap to 17-16 following a safety late in the fourth quarter.
The North couldn't come all the way back as a late interception returned for a touchdown sealed a 24-16 win for the South team.
"The whole week was great. It was a long week that went very fast," said Taake. "It was a very humbling experience, the coaching staff was great, the kids were awesome all week, it truely was an honor to coach in that game with that staff and with those kids."
Proceeds from the game went to the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. The Mauston foursome raised over $5,000 dollars of an estimated $300,000 that was raised for the Children's Hospital.