Sports

Tomah Timberwolves

2023 Record: 5-5 (3-4 Mississippi Valley Conference)

Head Coach: Joe Protz (5^th Year 11-24 Record)

Mike’s 2024 Projected Record 4-5 (3-4 Mississippi Valley Conference)

Players to Watch: QB/DB Jackson Steffel RB/LB Bruce Rezin WR/DB Alex Boyko WR/DB Owen Buckendahl RB/DB Tim Budde TE/LB Adam Brieske

Team Preview: Last year I predicted Tomah to finish 0-9, I made a lot of people in my hometown unhappy but they proved me wrong having a solid season of 5-5.  Tomah very easily could have been 9-1 having 4 losses in heartbreaking fashion.  Last season Tomah was led by its rushing attack but its top 4 rushers from a season ago have graduated. Tomah does return quarterback Jackson Steffel who threw for nearly 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns last year but will need to find some new targets to throw to this season.  One of his top targets is back in the athletic Alex Boyko who caught 9 passes for 193 yards and 4 touchdowns.  Look for Owen Buckendahl to have an expanded role he caught 5 passes for 58 yards and a touchdown last year. Bruce Rezin and Tim Budde might be called up on to help the Tomah rushing game.  Rezin is the leading returning tackler on defense for Tomah.  Adam Brieske is expected to make a massive leap into his sophomore year for Tomah and can play all over the field on both sides of the ball.  Tomah will not go 0-9 this year.  I see them as a once again borderline playoff .500 football team.   

 Key to Success: Being Big! Tomah lost its top four rushers from last year but also must replace a lot of linemen.  Tomah has always been known for its size and the team still possesses a lot of size if they can regroup their line and running attack Tomah could once again be playoff bound. 

 Game to watch:  Week 9 October 18^th at Onalaska 7pm  

Tomah vs Sparta is just too easy.  I’m going to go with week 9 Tomah at Onalaska.  Tomah denied Onalaska an outright conference title and solidified themselves into the playoffs with a week 9 upset thrashing of Onalaska this year.  A playoff spot once again could be on the line this year for Tomah and Onalaska likely won’t want history to repeat itself again making this an intriguing matchup.

Tomah Timberwolves games on WRJC Radio: None

Next Preview:  SCC Newcomers Berlin & Ripon     

 Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information. 

Wonewoc-Center/Weston Silver Wolves

2023 Record: 2-7 (1-4 Ridge & Valley West-8 Conference)

Head Coach: Jake McGlynn (3^rd Year 4-13 Record)

Mike’s 2024 Projected Record 3-5 (2-5 Ridge & Valley West-8)

Players to Watch: QB/LB Rylin Miller QB/DB Gavin Olson WR/DB Isaac Jennings WR/DB Garrett Granger TE/LB Jeremy Wollin K Callissa Keller WR/DL Cam Thellefsen

Team Preview: Wonewoc-Center/Weston has been a struggling team for quite a while on the gridiron even after switching from traditional football to 8-man football but things are slowly getting better and there is some optimism for this group in the future.  All everything player Danny Roehling has graduated but Rylin Miller played well at quarterback when called upon last season.  Miller completed 13-28 passes for 236yards and a pair of touchdowns a season ago.  The Silver Wolves will have to find a ground game to have a shot at a decent season and there is no clear player to take over that role at this time.  Brock Sprotte who led that the team in rushing last year has graduated.  Weston provides Isaac Jennings and Garrett Granger who are good athletes who could fill that position or make for formidable receivers. Gavin Olson should see plenty of action on the offensive end as well for Wonewoc-Center/Weston.  Cam Thellefsen and Jeremy Wollin should give the defense a spark.  Wollin is the leading returning tackler to this defense.  Callissa Keller returns at kicker she hit a big homecoming field goal last season.  The Ridge & Valley West Conference is a tough one and I see Wonewoc-Center Weston struggling a bit against good competition but 3 wins are definitely achievable.     

Key to Success: The young players growing quickly.  Wonewoc-Center/Weston feels like they have a good group of young kids coming into this program.  Rylin Miller played well as an underclassmen last season when healthy if he plays well this season it could make replacing Roehling a little easier.  This team might be a year or two away but if the youngsters develop quickly this team could surprise.

 Game to watch:  Week 3 September 14th at Monticello

Wonewoc-Center/Weston will travel down south to take on relative 8-man newcomers the Monticello Ponies on a Saturday at High Noon.  A win here could give the Silver Wolves their first conference win of the season and give them some momentum as conference play continues.   

Wonewoc-Center/Weston games on WRJC Radio: Week 6 Saturday October 5^th vs Kickapoo/La Farge (at Wonewoc)

Next Preview:  Reedsburg Beavers  

Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information. 

The Tomah 19U American Legion baseball Team fell 1-0 to Middleton in a AAA Regional opening round game.  TJ Shramek pitched 6 innings giving up just 2 hits and 1 unearned run taking the loss.  Aiden Klema had the lone hit for Tomah in the loss. Tomah is still alive in the double elimination tournament but must defeat Holmen who lost 5-4 to La Crosse Post 52 the games other Regional opener.  Holmen is the host of the Tournament.