FOOTBALL: Five honored by Badger North
By Dan Larson, Sauk Prairie Eagle
Opposing offenses routinely game-planned away from linebacker James Wixom, and its quarterbacks had a hard time avoiding the pass rush of lineman Matt Rudig.
And guard Lucas Fiene opened holes on the right side of Sauk Prairie’s offensive line and was its catalyst while paving the way for the Eagles’ ground attack.
For those reasons, all three were selected to the second team of the Badger North Conference’s all-conference team.
Also recognized were tight end Kenny McNeal and defensive backs Jordan Peters and Jay Kuenster, who all earned honorable mention.
“For the most part, I was fairly pleased,” Sauk Prairie coach Scott Schutt said of the Eagles’ representation.
Sauk Prairie finished fifth in the seven-team conference at 2-4. Co-champions Waunakee, DeForest and Reedsburg led the way on the first team offense and defense with respective selections of 14, seven and four, and only Mount Horeb-Barneveld center Trent Zander kept the three schools from sweeping the first team.
Schutt said Wixom’s statistics might have suffered a setback from last season, when he was also a second-team selection while playing in the Eagles’ base 3-5 defense. This season, they played a 4-3 and he had to shed more blocks.
That didn’t mean he didn’t have an impact.
“To a great deal, (other teams) game-planned to get him blocked,” Schutt said. “Everyone was still aware that he was a force to have to deal with.”
Meanwhile, Rudig collected a team-high 11 sacks off the end.
“He was very disruptive to other team’s offenses,” Schutt said. “It’s one thing to hold your gap and be immovable, but if you can penetrate and cause problems ... people notice.”
In the trenches, Fiene’s work was less noticeable. The results it produced wasn’t, though, as the Eagles ran for at least 235 yards in all three of its wins.
“Obviously, when we could, we would try and run behind him because he was our biggest horse,” Schutt said of the 6-foot-4, 277-pound junior. “He’s got good size and strength and is certainly a potential college prospect if he keeps working hard.”
So, too, is McNeal, who had only 10 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns but was heavily targeted in most games because of his size and athleticism.
“When we were able to get him the ball, he was a force and could run people over and carry four or five of them with him,” Schutt said of the 6-4, 244-pound junior. “He’s a big, strong, fast kid that needs to get touches.”
Peters intercepted six passes, including one for a touchdown, and was rarely caught out of position while providing textbook coverage as a cornerback.
“I can’t say enough. I just think he had a spectacular season,” Schutt said, indicating he thought Peters deserved better than honorable mention. “He paid attention to the detail of footwork and where to be ... and he has great hands and a great knack for going up and getting the ball.”
Kuenster, a strong safety, intercepted five passes, but was recognized more for the versatility he provided as one who could play the pass and the run equally well.
He was our quarterback in the secondary,” Schutt said. “He’s got to be versatile and athletic enough to play linebacker and safety, and he did a nice job of that.”
OFFENSE
SECOND TEAM: Quarterback - Trent Cummings, sr., Waunakee. Running back - Austin Elliott, jr., Mount Horeb-Barneveld; Matt Lennon, jr., Reedsburg; Shane Rockweiler, sr., Reedsburg. Wide receiver - Josh Slaney, sr., Mount Horeb-Barneveld; Kevin Hurd, sr., Portage. Center - John Oyer, jr., Waunakee. Guard - Lucas Fiene, jr., Sauk Prairie; Joe LaBeots, sr., Baraboo. Tackle - Devon Greiber, sr., Waunakee; Nick Chiono, jr., DeForest. Placekicker - Dustin Frey, sr., Portage.
HONORABLE MENTION: DeForest - Kyle Renz, jr., WR; Cory Salzmann, sr., C; Ryan Sands, sr., QB; Steve Hoffman, jr., RB. Mount Horeb-Barneveld - Luke Webber, jr., WR; Logan Johnson, sr., TE; Justin Lund, jr., G; Jeff Wright, sr., G; Danny Elver, jr., QB. Portage - Tim Condon, jr., G; Harrison Cummings, sr., C; Jon Nolan, so., RB. Reedsburg - Andy Krey, sr., RB; Bob Krueger, sr., G. Sauk Prairie - Kenny McNeal, jr., TE. Waunakee - Jared Staege, jr., WR; Eric Alfson, jr., G.
DEFENSE
FIRST TEAM: Defensive end - Mitch Severson*, sr., Waunakee; Jake Irwin*, sr., Waunakee. Tackle - Nate Brey*, sr., Reedsburg; Mike Harman, sr., Waunakee; Alex Zitzke, sr., Waunakee. Linebacker - Shane Rockweiler*, sr., Reedsburg; Mike Johnson*, sr., DeForest; Darren Anderson*, sr., Waunakee; Brian Feltz, sr., DeForest. Defensive back - Adam Kaalberg*, sr., DeForest; Tyler Archambo, sr., Reedsburg; Mike North, sr., Waunakee. Punter - Mitch Vandenbrook, sr., Waunakee.
SECOND TEAM: Defensive end - Jared Pahl, sr., DeForest; Ryan Desmet, sr., Mount Horeb-Barneveld. Tackle - Seth Brandt, sr., Reedsburg; Matt Rudig, jr., Sauk Prairie; Jason Long, sr., DeForest. Linebacker - Tyler Keele, sr., Reedsburg; James Wixom, sr., Sauk Prairie; Austin Elliott, jr., Mount Horeb-Barneveld; Austin Prusha, sr., Waunakee. Defensive back - Luke Webber, jr., Mount Horeb-Barneveld; Logan Johnson, sr., Mount Horeb-Barneveld; Ross Maly, sr., Waunakee. Punter - Matt Winckler, sr., DeForest.
HONORABLE MENTION: DeForest - Spencer Tenjum, sr., LB; Mitch Hanson, jr., LB. Mount Horeb-Barneveld - Jay Ceithamer, jr., DE; Matt Klaas, jr. LB; Cody Carmody, jr., LB; Josh Slaney, sr., DB. Portage - John Regalia, sr., DE; Travis Hamilton, so., LB; Mason Kuhn, jr., LB; Kevin Hurd, sr., DB; Dustin Krey, sr., P. Reedsburg - Ared Park, sr., DE; Matt Kneeland, sr., DB; Zach Downing, sr., P; Lucas Gudenschwager, sr., LB; Grant Rudolph, sr., DB. Sauk Prairie - Jordan Peters, sr., DB; Jay Kuenster, jr., DB. Waunakee - Itch Vandenbrook, sr., LB; Derek Lyght, sr., DB.
* Indicates unanimous selection.