Scenic Bluffs Conference

The Wonewoc-Center Wolves volleyball team began their defense of a State Championship with a 3-0 sweep of Kickapoo Tuesday night.  It was the first game for new head coach Lindsey Dryer who got a victory in her debut.  The Wolves trailed much of set one but finished on a 4-0 to win the set 25-23 capped off by a Bella LeMoine ace.  Set 2 was tight but Wonewoc-Center pulled it off 26-24.  The 3^rd set was all Wolves as at one point they scored 12 straight points to nab the set 25-16 and won the match.  Senior Emma Mildbrand had numerous aces in the victory for Wonewoc-Center.  The Wolves will face Necedah next Thursday. 

Royall Panthers

2023 Record: 5-5 (2-4 Scenic Bluffs Conference)

Head Coach: Josh Board (1^st 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 3^rd 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 4^th 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 6^th New Lisbon at Royall Week 5 Friday September 20^th Royall at Hillsboro Week 6 Friday September 27^th Bangor at Royall Week 9 Friday October 18^th Royall at Cashton (All 7pm)

Next Preview:  Hillsboro Tigers  

Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information. 

 Necedah Cardinals

2023 Record: 0-9 (0-6 Scenic Bluffs Conference)

Head Coach: Ismael Torres (2^nd 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 29^th 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 29^th vs Melrose-Mindoro (at Mauston) Friday October 4^th 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. 

Ithaca Bulldogs

2023 Record: 4-6 (4-2 Ridge & Valley 11-man Conference)

Head Coach: David Klang/Kyle Kelly (1^st 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