This story is sponsored by: The University of Wisconsin-Marshfield/Wood County
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
AUBURNDALE – With seven returning letterwinners and 13 of the 22 positions manned by veterans, the Auburndale High School football team is looking to take the next step and return to the WIAA playoffs.
The Apaches lost their final three games of the season – by a combined score of 108-14 – ending the 2015 campaign with a 3-6 record and a 2-5 mark in the Marawood Conference, and missing the postseason for the first time in four seasons.
Second-year coach Eric Custer said the Apaches took their lumps last year, but the experienced gained by the non-seniors could prove invaluable in 2016.
“I think a big thing was lack of experience,” Custer said of the 2015 season. “We had a lot of sophomores, and a freshman, starting. A big thing is staying healthy all year. We do have depth in some spots, but there are certain spots where we don’t. We have to be able to stay healthy.
“I think a lot of it comes down to just making plays. Last year we were a little timid with a lot of sophomores out there, a little nervous, a little scared, and I think this year they know what to expect.”
Seniors Aaron Willfahrt, Collin Hawkins and Luke Olsen return to the linebacker corps, and all three will start on offense as well – Willfahrt at slot back, Hawkins as the main halfback, and Olsen on the offensive line.
Senior Josh Gabel returns at offensive and defensive lines, and junior Ryan Isaacson is back for his second year as the Apaches’ starting quarterback. Junior Cam Ertl (wide receiver/defensive back) and sophomore Tyler Utpadel (line) also return to the lineup.
“The experience is going to help us, that’s all you can hope for,” said Hawkins, who was third on the team in tackles last year and had flashes at running back, rushing for 100 yards in a loss to Stratford late in the year. “We’re asking a lot of our linemen this year and I’m confident they can do it. We have some big guys, some of them put in a lot of time, and most of them have experience coming back.”
Isaacson threw for 500 yards and rushed for 126 more for the Apaches last season, all while suffering from an arm injury that Custer said was not disclosed to the coaching staff during the season.
Custer said he is happy with Isaacson’s progress in the offseason, and happy he is healthy.
“He had a great summer throwing the ball,” Custer said. “Being a sophomore quarterback is very tough, especially with the schedule we had. In any offense, you have to have a solid quarterback that knows what he’s doing. We installed a good part of our offense in camp and he flourished.”
As the Apaches try to get over the hump, and finish over .500 in the tough Marawood Conference in order to qualify for the postseason, Custer said this year’s squad seems more in tune with each other and share the same common goal.
“They have pushed each other to get stronger and faster,” Custer said. “That work ethic, combined with our returning experience, should provide for a fun, successful season. We are going to work hard and compete each day in practice to improve as a team.”
This story, and much more, will appear in a special 2016 Football Preview section in this weekend’s Hub City Times, part of your Marshfield Area Buyer’s Guide.