By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
STRATFORD – For the first time in seven years, the Stratford High School football team is not a defending state champion – and this year’s group is motivated by it.
After winning a Wisconsin record six straight WIAA Division 6 state championships from 2003 to 2008, Stratford finished the 2009 season with a pedestrian 6-4 record after a 34-7 loss to Colby in the first round of the Division 5 playoffs.
Four losses overall, a 5-3 mark in the Marawood Conference and an opening-round ouster in the playoffs are unacceptable for the Stratford football program and longtime coach Cal Tackes said this year’s team is out to wash away those memories.
“We did not perform at the level we expected,” Tackes said. “We can use injuries as excuses, but simply, we lost four games and that’s not in Stratford’s vocabulary. We looked at it right after the season, talked with the kids and developed the attitude that we have to approach things differently this year.
“We have to be more disciplined this year, we certainly have to be more confident in what we’re doing, and we have to be more physical.”
During the offseason, it was up to the Tigers’ seniors to take charge.
“We had some seniors that took it upon themselves to work hard in the offseason and to encourage the other guys,” Tackes said. “Our leadership has been great, we’re bigger, we’re stronger than we have been in the past, so hopefully that will carry us through the season.”
The Tigers return seven starters on defense, including second-team all-Marawood Conference linebacker Luke Radke and honorable mention linebacker Mark Marquardt. Also back are defensive end Jake Kauth, linebacker Jaime Aschebrock and safety Nick Viegut.
Tackes said he expects big things from his defense.
“Our defense will probably be our strength to start the season,” Tackes said. “We have seven returning starters and a couple of other guys that played significantly. We feel that our defensive line is probably our deepest area where we can rotate six or seven guys and feel real comfortable.”
Offensively, Marquardt returns at running back. He led the team in receptions (11) and receiving yards (244) during Marawood Conference play, and also had 207 rushing yards last season.
Aschebrock will start at fullback and Viegut will take over for Alex Kitchner at quarterback.
Radke also will start at guard and Kauth is back at tight end, giving Stratford a number of two-way starters.
Tackes said he expects the Tigers to be strong at running back, with Austin Shelley backing up Marquardt at tailback. The passing game, with a new quarterback and a number of new receivers, is taking time to mature.
“We have to work on our end position, that’s probably our thinnest position,” Tackes said. “Jake Kauth is back at tight end, we just have to see who is going to be around him. Right now, Conner Brock looks real good there.
“If we can get those receivers out there and in the right places, then hopefully we can throw the ball. Our line is going to be pretty big, so hopefully that will keep people away from our quarterback and give him a little extra time.”
Stratford opens its season at home against Auburndale on Aug. 27.