South Central Conference
HS Football Preview –2024 Nekoosa Papermakers
Nekoosa Papermakers
2023 Record: 3-6 (2-5 Central Wisconsin Large)
Head Coach: Derek Baker (2nd Season 3-6 Record)
Mike’s 2024 Projected Record 3-6 (1-6 South Central Conference)
Players to Watch: QB/DB Nash Krcmar RB/LB Francisco Vega RB/DB Jacob Bertling WR/DB Branden Winteland
Team Preview: The Nekoosa Papermakers are back in the South Central Conference after a brief absence. The Papermakers have not had a lot of success over recent years but have some young talent on this years team. Nash Krcmar led the team in passing and rushing last season and is back to lead the offense. Krcmar ran for nearly 600yards and threw for 497 yards and accounted for 15 offensive touchdowns for the papermakers. Francisco Vega (95-522 5tds) and Jacob Bertling (103-466 4tds) are back to lead a heavy rushing attack for Nekoosa. The Papermakers have talent to compete in the conference but I still see them struggling a bit this season finishing just 3-6 overall.
Key to Success: Defense. Nekoosa gave up a lot of points last year. They gave up 29 or more points in 6/9 games last year. The offense should be there for them if the defense can step up they should be much better then I predict them to be.
Game to watch: Week 5 Friday September 20th at Wautoma 7pm
Nekoosa and Wautoma will once again square off on the football field. I have both these teams struggling in the conference this season. This game might be about who wants it more.
Nekoosa games on WRJC Radio: Week 3 Friday September 6th home vs Mauston 7pm 92.9FM
Next Preview: Wisconsin Dells
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
HS Football Preview –2024 Adams-Friendship Green Devils
Adams-Friendship Green Devils
2023 Record: 7-4 (6-1 South Central Conference)
Head Coach: Nick Stormoen
Mike’s 2024 Projected Record 3-6 (2-5 South Central Conference)
Players to Watch: QB/DB Eli Cole RB/LB Robert Irey RB/LB Cody Henricksen WR/DB Tyler Erickson WR/DB Robert Weaver RB/LB Crispin Landon
Team Preview: The Green Devils are the defending South Central Conference champions but things will be more difficult this season. The conference is better and QB Lincoln Smith, RB Johnny Drankiewicz, Linemen Jake Long are all gone. Those 3 were huge factors in their conference title run. There is some valuable pieces to build around for the Green Devils. Robert Irey (60tackles) led the team in tackles a season ago is back along with last years leading sacker Robert Weaver (5sacks). Irey should also see a majority of the carries on the offensive side of the ball behind Drankiewicz he ran the ball 57 times for 423 yards and 3 touchdowns last year. Tyler Erickson is also back at WR for the Green Devils Erickson had 5 receiving touchdowns last year. Replacing the big 3 won’t be easy for Adams-Friendship and I see them taking a step back this season and failing to make the post season.
Key to Success: QB play! Adams-Friendship must develop a new quarterback after the graduation departure of Lincoln Smith. Eli Cole might get that opportunity; he completed 2-4 passes for 10yards and an interception last season. The quarterback decision might determine the success or lack thereof for this team.
Game to watch: Week 6 Friday September 27th at Mauston 7pm
This matchup last year decided the South Central Conference Championship. This game might not decide the championship but it’s still a big game between two rivals.
Green Devils games on WRJC Radio: Week 6 Friday September 27th at Mauston 7pm 92.9FM
Next Preview: Nekoosa
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
HS Football Preview –2024 Wautoma Hornets
Wautoma Hornets
2023 Record: 3-7 (2-5 South Central Conference)
Head Coach: Andy Krueger
Mike’s 2024 Projected Record 1-8 (0-7 South Central Conference)
Players to Watch: RB/LB Skyler Royston OL/DL Michael Roeske QB/DB Peyton Pica
Team Preview: Wautoma might have the biggest name and biggest player in the conference in 6’8 linemen and Badger recruit Michael Roeske outside of that Wautoma does not return a whole lot from a team that finished just 3-8. Skyler Royston is back to lead the ground game. Royston racked up 756yards and 6 touchdowns on 168 carries last year. Peyton Pica might play the quarterback position after the graduation of Carson Armstrong. Roeske led the team in sacks with a pair last year. Wautoma was once a powerhouse in the conference but now there in the thick of hard times and I see that continuing all the way to a winless conference season this year.
Key to Success: Roeske playing big. The Wisconsin Badgers see something in Roeske as did other major college football programs. If Roeske can make big plays on defense and be a road grader on the o-line Skyler Royston might have some open daylight to keep Wautoma in games and give them a chance to win.
Game to watch: Week 1 Friday August 23rd at Westfield 7pm
A former conference matchup turned into a non-conference matchup as Wautoma will try to start its season with a victory.
Wautoma Hornet games on WRJC Radio: Week 4 Friday September 13th at Mauston 7pm 92.9FM
Next Preview: Adams-Friendship
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
HS Football Preview –2024 Waupun Warriors
Waupun Warriors
2023 Record: 2-8 (1-6 East Central Conference)
Head Coach: Adrian Harmsen
Mike’s 2024 Projected Record 3-6 (3-4 South Central Conference)
Players to Watch: QB/DL/LB Chase Beahm RB/LB Haiden Rieder WR/DB Braydin Torres WR/DB Logan Prell OL/DL Landen Degroff RB/DB Kanye Bessman
Team Preview: Waupun is another team that should be helped out by playing in the new conference. Waupun was young last season and struggled to a 2-8 record but return most of their playmakers. Chase Beahm threw for over 1500 yards and 14tds but also tossed 15interceptions. He also has his top two targets back in Brayden Torres (35-518 7tds) & Logan Prall (19-374 4tds). Haiden Reider is also back, Reider led the team in rushing last year with 456yards. Landen Degroff led the team in sacks with 3 last year is back to help lead the defense. I have Waupun going 3-6 but have a feeling they might do better than that prediction.
Key to Success: Cutting down the interceptions. Beahm threw for a lot of yards and touchdowns a season ago if he can cut down on the interception Waupun should be able to improve tremendously on last years 2 wins.
Game to watch: Week 9 Friday October 18th home versus Mauston 7pm
This game could determine who makes the playoffs and who misses the playoffs.
Waupun Warrior games on WRJC Radio: Week 9 Friday October 18th home vs Mauston 7pm
Next Preview: Wautoma
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
HS Football Preview –2024 Ripon Tigers
Ripon Tigers
2023 Record: 0-9 (0-7 East Central Conference)
Head Coach: Andrew Selgrad
Mike’s 2024 Projected Record 4-5 (2-5 South Central Conference)
Players to Watch: QB/LB Parker Webb RB/DB Parker Stellmacher RB/LB Jordan Perkins WR/DB Declan Dudzinski
Team Preview: Everything that could go wrong did go wrong a season ago for the Ripon Tigers. They had a coaching change a week into practices and everything went down from there. There is plenty of optimism for this team however as they turn to State Championship head coach Andrew Selgrad. Selgrad comes over from Columbus where he led the Cardinals to a State Championship. Most of last year’s team returns as well led by quarterback Parker Webb who threw for 450 yards and 5 touchdowns last year. Webb will have his favorite target Declan Dudzinski (11-239 2tds) to throw to. The running game was a struggle for the Tigers last year but they welcome back its top two runners Parker Stellmacher and Jordan Perkins from last season.
Key to Success: Adjusting to Selgrad. Selgrad has a great pedigree coming in. It will take some time for the team to learn Selgrads system and adjusting to his coaching style but this team has a chance to succeed sooner than later with him at the helm.
Game to watch: Week 3 Friday September 6th home vs Adams-Friendship 7pm
South Central newcomer Ripon vs last year’s South Central Conference champion Green Devils will be an interesting matchup and I see Ripon pulling off an upset.
Ripon Tiger games on WRJC Radio: Week 7 Friday October 4th home vs Mauston 7pm
Next Preview: Waupun & Wautoma
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
HS Football Preview –2024 Berlin Indians
Berlin Indians
2023 Record: 7-3 (5-2 East Central Conference)
Head Coach: Joe Stellmacher
Mike’s 2024 Projected Record 8-1 (7-0 South Central Conference)
Players to Watch: RB/DB Carter Hess OL/DL/RB Jakob Martin RB/LB Luke Budde TE/LB Aaron Bartol TE/DE Hayden Redington RB/LB Max Sonnentag
Team Preview: Led by former Wisconsin Badger defensive back Joe Stellmacher the Berlin Indians bring a proud tradition into the South Central Conference. They finished 3rd a season ago in a very tough East Central Conference. Berlin does lose a good amount from that team including their quarterback and top running back. They do welcome back Carter Hess who ran for 663 yards and 7 touchdowns last year. Jacob Martin who served time as both an offensive linemen and running back also returns after scoring 7 touchdowns last year. 6’4 TE Aaron Bartol is also back after leading the team in receiving (29-446 6tds) last year. Berlin also has a lot of size in the trenches. Martin led the team in sacks with 4 last year is back to anchor a good defense. Luke Budde is the top returning tackler (57tackles) from last year for the Indians. Moving into a new conference I believe will help Berlin in a big way and I see them winning the SCC in their inaugural year.
Key to Success: Replacing the QB. Parker Hess threw for nearly 1,000 yards a season ago has departed due to graduation. Kannon Belter is the only other player listed at QB from last year. They have size and a good running back in Carter Hess if they can find a quarterback to player stellar for Stellmacher this team could be incredibly dangerous this season.
Game to watch: Week 2 Friday August 30th at Kiel
This is a bigtime non-conference matchup between two playoff teams from last season.
Berlin Indian games on WRJC Radio: Week 5 Friday September 20th home vs Mauston 7pm
Next Preview: SCC Newcomer Ripon
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
Mauston’s Massey Plays in All-Star Basketball Game
Mauston’s Brock Massey wrapped up his prep basketball career Thursday afternoon by playing in the Division 3 WBCA Basketball All-Star Game. Brock did not score in the game but dished out some dazzling assists. His team fell to the black team 144-114. Carson Armstrong of Wautoma had 12points while Joseph Ascher from Wautoma scored 5points. The high scorer for the black team was Dominican High Schools Jaiden Martin with 28points. G-E-T’s Cody Schmitz led the white team with 16points.
Beavers Dam Mauston in Baseball Action
The Reedsburg Beavers soundly defeated Mauston 12-2 in 5 innings Friday evening in a non-conference WIAA baseball game. Reedsburg had an 8 run 2nd inning to help ease by the Golden Eagles. Jack Fenwick went 3×3 with 3RBIs for the Beavers while Luke Verch went 1×2 with 2RBI’s and picked up the victory on the mound. Brady Baldwin and Carson Wall each went 1×2 for Mauston in the loss. Mauston falls to 16-4 on their season; Reedsburg improves to 19-2. Mauston will host Baraboo for Senior night on Monday.
Mauston Wraps Up Outright SCC Baseball Title
The Mauston Golden Eagles Baseball team clinched an outright South Central Conference Championship by taking down Adams-Friendship 15-5 in 6 innings Thursday evening. Mauston took advantage of 2 big Green Devils errors and walks to score their first 9 runs of the game on just two hits. One of those hits was a big one a 3 run double by Brady Baldwin that gave Mauston a 4-0 lead in the 2nd inning. Mauston would add at least a run in every inning the rest of the way to earn the victory. Baldwin had 5RBI’s from the leadoff spot for Mauston. Andrey Tougas added a 2 run triple for Mauston in the 6th inning. Isaac Steinke picked up the victory on the mound for Mauston who improves to 16-3 on their season and finishes conference play with a 9-1 record.
Mauston Baseball Clinches 2nd Straight SCC Championship With Win over Rival Dells
The Mauston Golden Eagles Baseball Team won a 2nd straight South Central Conference Championship behind great pitching and timely hitting Tuesday evening with a 7-0 victory over the Dells. Brock Massey pitched a complete game scattering 4 hits walking 2 while striking out 6. Brock Massey also went 2×4 with 2 RBI’s at the plate. Brock’s brother “Beef” Massey gave Mauston their first run of the game with a two out two strike hit. Beef finished 2×3 with a pair of runs batted in. Brady Baldwin ignited the Mauston offense going 2×2 with a triple and 3 runs scored and Alex Suhr added a pair of hits in 3 at bats including a booming double. Suhr was able to score all the way from 2nd base after a Dells wild pitch following the double. Mauston improves to 8-1 in the conference and 15-3 overall. Mauston can clinch an outright Conference championship with a victory over Adams-Friendship on Thursday. Wisconsin Dells drops to 7-2 in the conference and 9-5 overall.
