Scenic Bluffs Conference
HS Football Preview –2024 Hillsboro Tigers
Hillsboro Tigers
2023 Record: 4-6 (3-3 Ridge & Valley 11 Man Football Conference)
Head Coach: Eric Auel
Mike’s 2024 Projected Record 6-3 (4-3 Scenic Bluffs Conference)
Players to Watch: QB/DB Miles Ravenscroft RB/DB Isaac Thyne TE/LB Joseph Cairns WR/DB Jaden Burnette RB/LB Caden Clark OL/LB Ryan McCoic
Team Preview: Hillsboro has to replace its all everything running back linebacker Isaiah Stokes which won’t be easy but things are still looking up for the Tigers under veteran head coach Eric Auel. Miles Ravenscroft will lead the team at the quarterback position and will be one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the conference. 6’3 Joseph Cairns (8-141 3tds) will be a big target to throw to at the tight end position. Isaac Thyne (47-177 1td) and Caden Clark are expected to get a bulk of the carries out of the backfield. Clark had a great freshman year defensively for the Tigers notching 65 tackles and 1sack. Carins and Ryan McCoic each had a pair of sacks last season for Hillsboro. Replacing Stokes won’t be easy but I believe Hillsboro will be a playoff team for the 2nd straight year as they head back to the Scenic Bluffs Conference renewing a lot of great rivalries.
Key to Success: Spreading things out. Hillsboro will not replace Isaiah Stokes with one player it will take a team effort on both sides of the ball. Expect Miles Ravenscroft to carry the ball himself a lot this season but they’ll need Thyne and Clark to run the ball hard as well. Expect Clark to lead the defense this season as only a sophomore but they’ll need others to step up as well.
Game to watch: Week 1 Friday August 23rd home at Boscobel 7pm
These two teams have been conference rivals the past few seasons in the now defunct Ridge & Valley 11 man football conference. Hillsboro has been one of the few teams Boscobel has been able to defeat. Boscobel has just 27 wins in its last 27 seasons. Hillsboro will try to start their season on the right foot and get a victory over their former conference rivals.
Hillsboro Tigers Games on WRJC Radio: Week 1 Friday August 23rd Hillsboro at Boscobel Week 5 Friday September 20th Royall at Hillsboro Week 8 Friday October 11th Cashton at Hillsboro 7pm NOW92.1FM WRJC.com
Next Preview: Let the season begin
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
HS Football Preview –2024 Royall Panthers
Royall Panthers
2023 Record: 5-5 (2-4 Scenic Bluffs Conference)
Head Coach: Josh Board (1st Year 0-0 Record)
Mike’s 2024 Projected Record 5-4 (5-2 Scenic Bluffs Conference)
Players to Watch: QB/DB Carter Uppena RB/LB Jackson Bender TE/LB Garrett Dragan OL/DL Sampson Degner OL/DL Dylan Velazquez OL/DL Karter Olson
Team Preview: The Royall Panthers will be under the direction of new head coach Josh Board who takes over for Kole Huth. Huth is still on the staff but was relegated to assistant duties after taking an administrative position with Royall. Board has some talent to work with including prolific rusher Jackson Bender. Bender ran for nearly 1300 yards and 15touchdowns last year. Royall will have to find complimentary backs after graduating Colin McKittrick and Gunnar Wopat. Carter Uppena will be a 3rd year starting quarterback for Royall although the numbers have not been spectacular he is a steady hand with a lot of experience at the QB position. The interior line will also be a strong suit for Royall as Karter Olson, Dylan Velazquez, and Sampson Degner all return. Garrett Dragan is coming off an ACL injury and if healthy could help Royall either on the line, at tight end, or in the backfield. Karter Olson led the defense in tackles (106) and Interception (2) last season will lead the defense. Royall has a nice blend of young and old player and has a chance to have a strong season if they stay healthy.
Key to Success: The Defensive backfield. Royall’s one weakness is they lack a lot of team speed and experience at the receiver and defensive back positions. Royall got burned defending the pass last season and could be a weak spot again this year. If they can solidfy the defensive backfield they have a chance to be a lot better than last season.
Game to watch: Week 7 Friday October 4th home vs Ithaca 7pm
Royall and Ithaca have played each other a lot in the big 3 sports and have formed a nice little rivalry. Former head coach and current assistant coach Kole Huth is an Ithaca native adding some more intrigue to this matchup. I also believe this game could be between to upper echelon conference teams.
Royall Panther Games on WRJC Radio: Week 3 Friday September 6th New Lisbon at Royall Week 5 Friday September 20th Royall at Hillsboro Week 6 Friday September 27th Bangor at Royall Week 9 Friday October 18th Royall at Cashton (All 7pm)
Next Preview: Hillsboro Tigers
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
HS Football Preview –2024 New Lisbon Rockets
New Lisbon Rockets
2023 Record: 6-4 (3-3 Scenic Bluffs Conference)
Head Coach: Jarod Ulrich (2nd Season 6-4 Record)
Mike’s 2024 Projected Record 2-7 (2-5 Scenic Bluffs Conference)
Players to Watch: QB/LB Brayen Morey RB/LB Austin Berndsen QB/WR/DB Hunter Kennedy TE/DL Evan Macrafic RB/LB Braden Miller WR/DB Josh Homan
Team Preview: Coach Jarod Ulrich had a very successful first year as head coach of the New Lisbon Rockets leading them to a 6-4 mark and nearly taking down Cochrane-Fountain City in the playoffs. Roads might be a little rockier in his 2nd year as the Rockets struggle with injuries and inexperience. Brayen Morey is back to lead the team on both sides of the ball. Morey threw for over 700 yards and 7 touchdowns at quarterback last season and led the team in tackles with 106 including 7 tackles for a loss. Morey will not have the ground game or the line he had a season ago to support him offensively. The Rockets must replace Jake Cox, Carson Welter, and Dylan O’Brien who combined to run for nearly 2,000 yards last season. Austin Berndsen returns to the team and might be its top ball carrier. New Lisbon will try to throw the ball a little more this season with the experience of Morey. Josh Homan has looked good in camp at the receiver position and should be a favorite target for Morey. Evan Macrafic is dealing with a thumb injury but will also be a receiving threat when healthy. New Lisbon is not a very big team and might struggle to protect and run the football this year. I see New Lisbon taking a step down this season with the injuries and inexperience.
Key to Success: Getting Healthy. New Lisbon is banged up in a big way to start the season. New Lisbon can ill afford to lose a player just to have enough kids to field a football team at the moment. If New Lisbon gets healthy they could make a run at the post season once again.
Game to watch: Week 3 Friday September 6th at Royall 7pm
Royall and New Lisbon have had some great matchups over the years on the gridiron. New Lisbon has a chance to make a statement and claim themselves as a playoff team if they can knock of Royall in the conference opener for each team.
New Lisbon Rocket Games on WRJC Radio: Week 2 Friday August 30th Pardeeville at New Lisbon 7pm Week 3 Friday September 6th New Lisbon at Royall 7pm Week 4 Friday September 13th Cashton at New Lisbon 7pm Week 7 Friday October 4th Necedah at New Lisbon 7pm
Next Preview: Royall Panthers
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
HS Football Preview –2024 Necedah Cardinals
Necedah Cardinals
2023 Record: 0-9 (0-6 Scenic Bluffs Conference)
Head Coach: Ismael Torres (2nd Season 0-9 Record)
Mike’s 2024 Projected Record 0-9 (0-7 Scenic Bluffs Conference)
Players to Watch: QB/DB Eli Horack WR/LB Remington Poulter RB/DL Jaren Hansen RB/LB Shawn Ard WR/LB Phillip Heintz OL/DL Nevada Faulkner
Team Preview: The Necedah Cardinals are in the midst of a really tough stretch of football. They are not the first team to endure this kind of stretch and won’t be the last team. Numbers are up and there is nowhere for this team to go but up after back to back 0-9 seasons. Last year’s team was extremely young and should all be a little bigger faster and stronger than last season. Eli Horack will have more experience at the QB position and expects to make a big jump from his freshman to sophomore year. Jaren Hanson is a big strong kid who might get some carries in the backfield and looks to anchor the defensive line. Shawn Ard was the leading tackler last year and provides speed in the offensive backfield. Nevada Faulkner is another strong kid who can help out in the trenches. I think coach Ismael Torres has this team headed in the right direction. The number of players has went up for Necedah from last year to this year which isn’t an easy task for a team that has lost 20 straight games. I unfortunately see that streak reaching 29 straight losses this season. I hope I am wrong and this team cracks the win column.
Key to Success: Confidence! It’s still a relatively young team that has lost a lot in the past couple season. There is talent out there however and if some of these talented kids can gain some confidence they could pick up a win or two this season.
Game to watch: Week 2 Thursday August 29th vs Melrose-Mindoro (at Mauston) 7pm
Melrose-Mindoro is another team in kind of a rebuild mode. If Necedah plays well they have a chance to win this game and end a long losing streak. The game will be played at Mauston due to construction in Necedah and be played on a Thursday night.
Necedah Cardinals Games on WRJC Radio: Thursday August 29th vs Melrose-Mindoro (at Mauston) Friday October 4th Necedah at New Lisbon 7pm both games on NOW92.1FM and WRJC.com
Next Preview: New Lisbon Rockets
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
HS Football Preview –2024 Cashton Eagles
Cashton Eagles
2023 Record: 11-1 (6-0- Scenic Bluffs Conference Conference)
Head Coach: Jered Hemmersbach
Mike’s 2024 Projected Record 6-3 (4-3 Scenic Bluffs Conference)
Players to Watch: QB/LB Rory Mlsna RB/LB Ethan Schmitz RB/LB Drew Butzler K Connor Wilkinson
Team Preview: The biggest turnover from last year to this year in the conference might come from the Cashton Eagles. The Eagles took over Bangor’s reign as the dominant team in the conference the last couple of years. Cashton may struggle some early but there is a lot of familiar family names on this team that should keep Cashton in conference contention. There are still Mlsna’s Schmitz, and Butzlers playing for this team and all should contribute in a big way. Ethan Schmitz and Drew Butzler should see a lot of action out of the backfield and Rory Mlsna might be the favorite to operate the quarterback position. Schmitz is also the top returning tackler from last season for the Eagles. I believe Cashton will take a step back but will still find their way into the post season.
Key to Success: New talent shining. The Hemmersbach’s Ethan Klinkner, and Connor Butzler are all gone from this team due to graduation. It is now time for the young Eagles to soar. If Drew Butzler and Rory Mlsna can step up this Cashton team might be right back where they were the last 3 seasons and lead the Eagles to new heights.
Game to watch: Week 7 Friday October 4th Home vs Bangor 7pm
This won’t be a #1 vs #2 matchup like last year in the state and it won’t be a post season game like the 2nd game of the season between these two rivals last season but it’s still going to be a big time game between the two teams who have dominated the conference over the last 10 plus seasons.
Cashton Games on WRJC Radio: Friday September 13th Cashton at New Lisbon, Friday October 11th Cashton at Hillsboro, and Friday October 18th Royall at Cashton all on NOW92.1FM and WRJC.com
Next Preview: Brookwood
HS Football Preview –2024 Ithaca Bulldogs
Ithaca Bulldogs
2023 Record: 4-6 (4-2 Ridge & Valley 11-man Conference)
Head Coach: David Klang/Kyle Kelly (1st Year 0-0 Records)
Mike’s 2024 Projected Record 7-2 (5-2 Scenic Bluffs Conference)
Players to Watch: QB/RB/LB/DB Wesley Nelson QB/DB Keegan Jones WR/DB Channing Brown OL/DL Wyatt Hilby OL/DL Kayden Coleman
Team Preview: Ithaca is the newest team to the Scenic Bluffs Conference after departing from the now defunct Ridge & Valley 11-man football conference. Ithaca went through an identiy crisis last year and changed coach’s midway through the season. They went from a spread passing attack to its tradional wing-T offense. They were able to salvage their season and make the post season. Ithaca has some skill players and a lot of size to make a run this season. Wesley Nelson and Keegan Jones both saw time at quarterback last season whoever is not at quarterback should get a lot of carries out of the backfield. Channing Brown is a big time athlete who had 25 catches for 551yards and 8 touchdowns last season. Wyatt Hilby might be the conference’s top defensive player. Hilby had 17 Tackles for losses last season for the Bulldogs. Kayden Coleman is also back in the trenches for Ithaca, who brings back a lot of size and toughness. I see Ithaca having a lot of success this season in the conference and may contend for a title.
Key to Success: Finding an identity. Last season saw an offense switching styles halfway through the season. Despite have co-coaches in David Klang and Kyle Kelly I believe there will be a lot more consistency with this year’s team which might give the Scenic Bluffs Conference fits if that’s the case.
Game to watch: Week 5 Friday September 20th at Cashton 7pm
These two teams traditionally kicked off the season in a non-conference matchup now they square off as conference foes. Cashton has got the best of Ithaca lately Ithaca will try to swing the momentum to their side this year.
Ithaca Games on WRJC Radio: None Scheduled
Next Preview: Cashton & Brookwood
HS Football Preview –2024 Bangor Cardinals
Bangor Cardinals
2023 Record: 11-2 (5-1 Scenic Bluffs Conference)
Head Coach: Todd Grant (4th Year 30-7 Record)
Mike’s 2024 Projected Record 8-1 (7-0 Scenic Bluffs Conference)
Players to Watch: RB/LB Bryce Peterson RB/LB Gabriel Cropp QB/DB Hayden Massman TE/DB Landon Phillips RB/LB Eli Tucker
Team Preview: Every year on paper Bangor seems to take a step down but on the field they continue to play at a high level. Bangor loses a ton from last year including a pair of 1,000 yard running backs in Chase Horstman and Samuel Cropp. They also must replace QB Nolan Michek and a host of linemen. Bangor will try to reload and not rebuild once again. Hayden Massman is expected to take over at quarterback and is an athletic kid. Likely we will see a lot of Gabriel Cropp (21-90 2tds) Bryce Peterson (29-209 2tds) and Eli Tucker running the football. They are all 3 athletic kids with lots of potential who just not have got a chance yet in the program. TE Landon Phillips is back he led the team in receiving last year (12-234 4tds) Tucker and Gabriel Cropp will help lead the defense. Tucker had 97 tackles last year while Cropp had 76. They also lose the big leg of Sam Crenshaw do to graduation. Despite the losses I still see Bangor having a good season and winning the Scenic Bluffs Conference but the conference is much more wide open this year than in years past.
Key to Success: Winning the trenches. Sure Bangor has to replace a lot of skill players but they also have to replace a lot of players that man the front line. Jacob Warsing and Willie Reed will have to step up their roles in the trenches to help Bangor succeed this season.
Game to watch: Week 4 Friday September 13th at Ithaca
I see Ithaca and Bangor possibly being the best two teams in the Scenic Bluffs Conference this year so although an earlier season game this one might be for the conference. Bangor blew out Ithaca in a crossover game last season.
Bangor Cardinal Games on WRJC Radio: Week 6 Friday September 27th Bangor at Royall 92.1FM
Next Preview: Ithaca Bulldogs
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
Royall Splits 2 Games in Woodside Baseball League
The Royall summer baseball team split a pair of hard fought games Tuesday night out at the Summer Woodside League. Royall dropped the first game 4-2 to Ithaca. Trey Wildes went 1×4 with an RBI triple and Tyrus Wildes went 1×2 with an RBI. Sammy Clary picked up the complete game victory for Ithaca. Cody Byrnes had a 2 run double in the third to help propel Ithaca. Royall bounced back winning vs Wisconsin Dells Legion Post 187 2-1. Cole Eberhardt picked up the complete game victory for Royall giving up just one run on 4 hits walking 2 and striking out 4. Eberhardt also went 2×2 with and RBI at the plate. Tyrus Wildes went 1×2 with a triple and Colby Schroeder had the winning RBI for Royall. Royall is now 2-3 on their Woodside League schedule. Wisconsin Dells got an inside the park homerun from Curtis Griefenhagen for their lone run.
Royall Loses Sectional Final in Heartbreaking Fashion
The Royall Panthers came up just short in a bid for state on the baseball diamond. Royall won their first game 9-1 over the De Soto Pirates in the sectional semi-final game. Gunnar Wopat pitched 6 strong innings giving up just 1 unearned run scattering 5 hits walking 1 and striking out 2. Tyrus, Tucker, and Trey Wildes all had a pair of hits in the victory for the Panthers. Jett Bender also had a pair of hits and an RBI for Royall. Royall’s victory earned them into the sectional championship game where they fell in a heartbreaker 2-1 to Eleva-Strum. The game was a pitchers dual between Carter Gunderson of Eleva-Strum and Seth Brandau of Royall. The game was tied 1-1 into the bottom of the 7th when Eleva-Strum won on a walk off hit by Noah Martinson. Royall finishes their season with an 18-5 record. Royall says farewell to seniors Jeremiah Dilley, Gunnar Wopat and Tyrus & Tucker Wildes all who left a big stamp on Royall athletics.
Hillsboro Softball Falls in Sectional Final
The Hillsboro Tigers Softball Team came up short in their bid for a state tournament appearance falling to Wisconsin Rapids Assumption 10-0 Thursday evening. Assumption pitcher Macy Vollert held the Tigers scoreless through 5 innings scattering 5 hits walking none and striking out 11. Vollert also went 2×4 with a homerun at the plate. Arrianna Cavanaugh hit a 3 run homerun to bust the game open in the 4th. Harper Sullivan and Maddie Herritz each went 1×2 for Hillsboro. It was the deepest run Hillsboro Softball has ever made in the post season. Hillsboro finishes their season with a 19-4 record. It was a great career for the two senior Peyton Sullivan and Jaelyn Bloor.
