Sports

Wisconsin Dells Chiefs

2023 Record: 7-4 (5-2 South Central Conference)

Head Coach: Michael Janke (5th Season 31-10 Record)

Mike’s 2024 Projected Record 7-2 (6-1 South Central Conference)

Players to Watch: QB/LB Lex Rettinger RB/LB Sam Ersland OL/LB Logan Goodrich WR/S Raphael Berje     

Team Preview: The Wisconsin Dells Chiefs were extremely young last year and still managed to finish 7-4 on their season, creating big expectations for this year.  Lex Rettinger had a tremendous sophomore campaign at quarterback throwing for nearly 1400 yards and 17 touchdown passes.  He loses favorite target Deagen Jensen but brings back Raphael Berje (18-522 5tds).  Once again taking a lot of pressure of Rettinger will be running back Sam Ersland who scampered for 1540 yards and 16 touchdowns last year.  The defense should be solid as well as they welcome back Logan Goodrich who led the team in sacks and tackles last year.  Payne Carroll is also back who led the Dells in tackles for losses last year.  The Chiefs have a good combination of speed and size on this years team and should be able to compete for a conference championship.    

Key to Success: Complimentary players! The Dells has a very good big 3 in Rettinger, Ersland and Berje on offense but can they get the role players to step up around them.  If there is an injury to that core group who will step up for the Dells?  If they can develop the role players it will take the Dells up another notch and maybe even to a conference championship.

 Game to watch:  Week 7 Friday Friday October 4th home vs Berlin 7pm

This game might decide the conference championship.  The two teams met in the playoffs in 2021 with the Dells routing Berlin in a level 2 matchup.  It should be a good battle on the gridiron in early October!

Wisconsin Dells games on WRJC Radio: Week 8 Friday October 11th at Mauston 7pm 92.9FM

Next Preview:  Bangor/Ithaca

 Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information. 

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 27^th 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. 

 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 18^th 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. 

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 3^rd 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 30^th 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.