Mauston, WI
South Central Conference
Mauston Wins Both Matchup in Home Triangular
2 days
The Mauston Golden Eagles Volleyball Team picked up two non-conference wins Monday night before their big conference matchup in the Dells on Thursday. Mauston was able to get by Tri-County 2-0 (25-22 & 25-17). Lilly Wilke and Bre Heller each had 6kills in the victory while Ellie Poullie added 7digs, 4aces and 11 assists. Ella Franek also had a big game blocking at the net. Mauston got a stiffer test in their 2nd game against Portage. Mauston defeated the Warriors 2-1 (25-22, 23-25, and 25-22). Catie Lavold had 6big blocks in the victory. Yvonne Rotzall and Bre Heller each had 5kills. Dylan Walsh added 3 aces for Mauston who improves to 13-6 on their season. Mauston will travel to the Wisconsin Dells on Thursday in a South Central Conference 1st place matchup. A game you can hear live on SmashCountry92.9FM and WRJC.com.
All Smiles for Mauston Cross Country Runners at Smiley Invitational
1 week
The Golden Eagles cross country program was back in action this weekend competing at the largest meet in the state of Wisconsin, the Bill Smiley Invitational hosted by Wausau East! This was the 69th edition of the historic event and the team took full advantage of the opportunity to see some of the top competition in division 2 and 3. ? ????
Here are some of the highlights:
? Boys Varsity – 2nd place as a team, just 1 point from 1st!
? Weston P. – 5th place (17:30)
? Brekk P. – 7th, season PR (17:38)
? Haakon P. – 8th, lifetime best (17:44)
? Noah C. – season PR
? Girls Varsity – 15th place as a team
? Alicia R. – 15th place medal, lifetime best (21:25)
? Crimson H., Kalyn N., Carmen O., Aria B. – all lifetime/season bests
? Boys JV – 3rd place in small school division (400+ runners!)
? Cody K. – lifetime best (20:32)
? Brayden H., Jonah W., Will M., Braydon W., Garett P. – all with lifetime/season bests
As stated, this was the first time in Mauston’s CC history that we’ve attended the Smiley invitational, and needless to say, mission accomplished. Way to go Golden Eagles!
Golden Eagles Sweep Rival Green Devils in Volleyball Action
2 weeks
The Mauston Golden Eagles Volleyball Team stayed perfect in South Central Conference action by sweeping Adams-Friendship 25-11, 25-20, 25-22 Thursday night. Hot serving and strong defense allowed Mauston to blast Adams-Friendship in set 1. Mauston controlled set 2. In set 3 Mauston went with an inexperienced lineup for much of the set and trailed nearly the whole way. The Green Devils led by 6 points on multiple occasions but the young lineup was able to chip away and come back for the set victory allowing Mauston go garner the sweep. Lillyan Wilke led Mauston with 9kills. Rylea Mehne had 13assist and 4aces for the Golden Eagles. Mauston improves to 3-0 in South Central Conference action and 7-4 overall. Adams-Friendship drops to 1-2 in the conference and 7-6 overall.
Mauston Volleyball Splits Matches in Reedsburg
4 weeks
The Mauston Golden Eagles Volleyball team split a pair of matches Tuesday evening, downing Melrose-Mindoro 2-0 but falling to Reedsburg 0-2. Mauston got off to a fast start against Melrose-Mindoro scoring the first 8 points of the game before taking set one 25-13. Mauston faced more resistance from the Mustangs in set two but still held them off 25-23. Reedsburg was too much for Mauston in match two winning 25-17, and 25-12. Rylea Mehne had 5aces and 14 assists on the night for the Golden Eagles. Masina Reuter went over the 1,000 assist milestone in her career for the Beavers who also swept Melrose-Mindoro 2-0 during the evening.
2025 HS Football Previews – Adams-Friendship Green Devils
2 months
2025 Adams-Friendship Green Devils
2024 Record: 2-7 (1-6 South Central Conference)
Head Coach: Nick Stormoen
Mike’s 2025 Projected Record 1-8 (0-7 South Central Conference)
Players to Watch: QB/DB Cody Hendricksen RB/LB Cody Ratz WR/DB Miles Nawrot WR/DB Dawson Skelton
Team Preview: After winning the South Central Conference in 2023 its been downhill for the Green Devils finishing just 1-6 in the conference last year and they lose a bunch of regulars from last year’s team due to graduation. Cody Hendricksen (37-88-7-707 6tds) is back at quarterback he is also their leading returning rusher with 379yards and 5touchdowns. Hendricksen doesn’t have many returning players joining him. Cody Ratz (16-66 0tds) is a big strong kid who has a chance to lead the ground attack this year. Miles Nawrot (4-47 0tds receiving) will have to have a bigger role in the passing game. Dawson Skelton is back on defense after notching 1 interception last year. On paper the Green Devils should struggle this season but we all know games aren’t played on paper and sometimes players come out of nowhere at the high school level.
Key to Success: Player development. The Green Devils will need players to develop quickly and take bigger roles on both sides of the ball. Cody Ratz is a kid I would keep an eye on. He could come out of nowhere to be an impact offensive player for Adams-Friendship
Game to watch: Week 5 Friday September 19th Home vs Mauston
This is a good rivalry game and a game both teams will want to win and maybe need to win in a big way!
Adams-Friendship Games on WRJC Radio: Week 5 Friday September 19th home vs Mauston (SmashCountry92.9FM WRJC.com)
Next Preview: Ithaca Bulldogs
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
2025 HS Football Preview – Wisconsin Dells Chiefs
2 months
2025 Wisconsin Dells Chiefs
2024 Record: 7-3 (6-1 South Central Conference)
Head Coach: Michael Janke
Mike’s 2025 Projected Record 6-3 (5-2 South Central Conference)
Players to Watch: QB/LB Lex Rettinger RB/DB Kashton Stoddard DL Hendrix Dawson TE/LB Jax Gall
Team Preview: The Dells returns a strong quarterback in Lex Rettinger (72-131-8-1179 9tds) however outside of Rettinger they have a lot of shoes to fill from last season. All everything running back Sam Erland graduated and Kashton Stoddard (19-163 3tds) will attempt to help fill that spot. Rettingers top 3 receivers are also gone from last year’s team. Lex will have his brother Bear as a tall target to throw to and a couple of good athletes in Nolan Schmitz and Carter Syverson. There is also a lot of players to replace on the defensive side of the ball but Hendrix Dawson is a big defensive linemen who had 54tackles and a pair of fumbler recoveries last season will try to lead the defense. I don’t think the Dells will be as strong as last year but they still have a chance to be good within the SCC and make a post season push.
Key to Success: Filling shoes. They say tradition never graduates but key players have for the Dells. They will need players like Nolan Schmitz, Kashton Stoddard, Jax Gall to have a bigger impact on this years team if they want to continue their success from last season.
Game to watch: Week 1 Thursday August 21st at Portage
It’s a week 1 Thursday game with two former South Central Conference opponents and a battle with former Necedah head coach Chris Rice’s warriors. Portage crushed the Dells last year and the Chiefs are set on some revenge.
Wisconsin Dells Games on WRJC Radio: Week 7 Friday October 3rd home vs Mauston (SmashCountry92.9FM WRJC.com)
Next Preview: Adams-Friendship Green Devils
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
2025 HS Football Previews – Mauston Golden Eagles
2 months
2025 Mauston Golden Eagles
2024 Record: 2-7 (2-5 South Central Conference)
Head Coach: Nick Whalen (1st year 0-0 Record)
Mike’s 2025 Projected Record 3-6 (3-4 South Central Conference)
Players to Watch: RB/LB Tyler Hartje RB/LB Eli Rader TE/LB Brian Kastner QB/LB Masyn Bires OL/LB Austin Hunter
Team Preview: It appears to be a new era for Mauston football. 3-4 year players and leaders like Hayden Gyllin and Tyler Link have graduated and Coach Dustin Vickerman left for the Northwoods. Nick Whalen steps in as the new head football coach. Whalen has plenty of experience including stops at Western Kentucky and Drake among others as an assistant coach. Eli Rader (22-127 0tds) brings the power in the backfield while Tyler Hartje (30-229 0tds) should bring the speed in the backfield hopefully making life easier for whoever replaces Tyler Link at Quarterback. Masyn Bires might get the first crack at quarterback. Bires is an athlete who might use his feet as much as his arm. Brian Kastner (47tackles) is a big strong kid who could be a leader on the defensive side. Austin Hunter is a physical kid who should be solid in the interior on both sides of the ball. Mauston is young and not a whole lot is known about this year’s team, Mauston could come out of nowhere this season to be a surprise team.
Key to Success: Leadership! Perhaps Gyllins and Links biggest asset to last year’s team was their leadership as much as their football talents, with both of them gone who will fill that role? Coach Whalen will look for players like Brian Kastner and Eli Rader to fill that role and lead this Mauston team. Mauston has a tough non-conference schedule and if they get down early players will have to step up to right the ship.
Game to watch: Week 7 Friday October 3rd at Wisconsin Dells
It’s one of the best rivalries in the South Central Conference. The Dells is a beatable opponent this year and Mauston will try to knock them off for the 2nd time in 3 years.
Mauston Golden Eagle games on WRJC Radio: All of them Weeks 1-9 with Jack Hammer (SmashCountry92.9FM WRJC.com)
Next Preview: Wisconsin Dells
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
2025 HS Football Previews – Nekoosa Papermakers
2 months
2025 Nekoosa Papermakers
2024 Record: 7-3 (5-2 South Central Conference)
Head Coach: Derek Baker
Mike’s 2025 Projected Record 6-3 (4-3 South Central Conference)
Players to Watch: RB/DB Finn Krcmar RB/DB Jacob Bertling RB/LB Owen Hoogesteger QB/DB Eli Anderson
Team Preview: Nekoosa had a fine season in its return to the South Central Conference finishing 7-3 overall. Nekoosa loses some big players due to gradution like QB Nash Krcmar and Logan Spice but returns some good athletes. Eli Anderson might get the first crack at quarterback. Anderson has a strong arm on the baseball diamond and is a good athlete. Finn Krcmar (95-596 5tds) was 2nd behind his brother in rushing yards last season. Jacob Bertling (51-304 5tds) and Owen Hoogesteger (43-296 3tds) add to a strong backfield for the Papermakers. The defense and offensive line could be concerns for the Papermakers. If Nekoosa can find a playmaker at quarterback sure up the defensive line and offensive line they could be headed back to the postseason.
Key to Success: Interior play. Outside of Landon WIlhorn there is not a lot of size on this Nekoosa team. They will have to play tough and bigger than their given size. Football isn’t always about size sometimes it’s more about leverage and toughness if Nekoosa can develop that they should have a chance for a solid season.
Game to watch: Week 9 Friday October 17th at Mauston
It’s the final game of the regular season and a possible playoff spot could be on the line for each of these two teams.
Nekoosa Papermaker games on WRJC Radio: Week 9 Friday October 17th at Mauston (SmashCountry92.9FM WRJC.com)
Next Preview: Mauston Golden Eagles
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
2025 HS Football Previews – Wautoma Hornets
2 months
2025 Wautoma Hornets
2024 Record: 2-7 (2-5 South Central Conference)
Head Coach: Andy Krueger
Mike’s 2025 Projected Record 4-5 (2-5 South Central Conference)
Players to Watch: QB/DB Peyton Pica RB/LB Skyler Royston OL/LB Jake Smiley OL/DL Alan Jimenez-Cervantes RB/DB Marshal Woyak
Team Preview: Wautoma finished just 2-7 last year but closed out their season stronger. They had a future Division 1 offensive tackle to run behind last year and that road grader is gone. Running to success last year was Skyler Royston (210-1207 12tds) is back to lead the offense. QB Peyton Pica (20-59-0-303 2tds) is also back. Jake Smiley and Alan Jimenez-Cervatnes is back on the offensive line to help path the way for Royston. Smiley and Cervantes are also two of the top returning defenders from last season. Marshal Woyak led the team with 3 interceptions last season is also back to help anchor the defense.
Key to Success: Defense! Wautoma gave up 36 or more points in 2/3 of their games last season. The defense must improve for them to be a plus .500 team this season. Woyak and Pica will have to lead the secondary while Smiley and Jimenez-Cervantes will have to take the next step up front.
Game to watch: Week 3 Friday September 5th Mauston (Home)
Wautoma has a good chance to win both their non-conference games to start the year which would make them going 2-0 into their home game vs Mauston. This game although early in the season could determine a playoff spot for both these young teams.
Wautoma Hornet games on WRJC Radio: Week 3 Friday September 5th Home vs Mauston (SmashCountry92.9FM WRJC.com)
Next Preview: Nekoosa Papermakers
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
2025 HS Football Previews – Waupun Warriors
2 months
2025 Waupun Warriors
2024 Record: 6-4 (4-3 South Central Conference)
Head Coach: Adrian Harmsen
Mike’s 2025 Projected Record 7-2 (6-1 South Central Conference)
Players to Watch: QB Chase Beahm WR/DB Grahm Gopalan WR/DB Logan Prall WR/DB Kaden Del Ponte WR/DB Emmitt Hull WR/LB Wesley Kunz TE/LB Owen Kloosterboer
Team Preview: Waupun enjoyed their first season in the South Central Conference on their way to a playoff berth. Waupun brings back experience and height at its wide receiver position. It should make things easier for quarterback Chase Beahm (127-217-9-1756 20tds) who had a strong season last year. 6-3 Logan Prall (35-717 9tds) and 6-4 Kaden Del Ponte (10-178 3tds) are two big pass catching targets for Beahm. Grahm Gopalan (14-210 0tds) and 6-2 Emmitt Hull (18-146 3tds) is also back creating a deep wide out stable. Both of last year’s leading rushers and a large chunck of the defenders graduated from last year for Waupun. Linebackers Wesley Kunz (41tackles 2sacks) and Owen Kloosterboer (28tackles 2sacks) will have to take on bigger roles this season defensively. The passing game should be strong enough for Waupun to have a strong South Central Conference season in an expected down year for the conference this season.
Key to Success: Balance. Waupun is expected to have a very strong passing game this season but in order to keep team’s off-balance they are going to also find a way to run the ball too. Grahm Gopalan a returning receiver is the leading returning rusher from last year with just 71yards. A ground game would also help keep opposing defenses from pinning their ears back to get to Beahm.
Game to watch: Week 9 Friday October 17th at Wisconsin Dells
I think Berlin is a shoe in to win a South Central Conference Championship. Waupun vs Wisconsin Dells could decide 2nd place. This game could close out the regular season with a bang and maybe give the winner a home playoff game.
Waupun Warrior games on WRJC Radio: Week 8 Friday October 10th at Mauston (SmashCountry92.9FM WRJC.com
Next Preview: Wautoma Hornets
