This story is sponsored by: Williams-Gray Co.
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
AUBURNDALE – Dean McFarlane knew the Auburndale football program was a work in progress when he took over the head coaching position in 2006.
The Apaches won just 10 games in McFarlane’s first four seasons but he knew the team’s time would come. Perhaps that time is now.
Auburndale fought through the first five games of a tough schedule at 2-3 overall and in the brutal Marawood Conference.
A come-from-behind 18-13 win over Rib Lake/Prentice last week helped erase the sting of a tough 24-22 loss to Chippewa Falls McDonell and a 49-0 defeat to Edgar.
With three conference games remaining against the three bottom teams in the standings, McFarlane is hopeful this could be the year the Apaches can qualify for the WIAA playoffs, something that hasn’t happened at Auburndale since 2005.
Auburndale needs to go 2-1 against Chequamegon, Phillips and Pittsville in its last three Marawood games to finish 4-4 and be eligible for postseason play. A .500 record usually guarantees a playoff berth, but with a 3-0 record in those games and it is guaranteed.
“I’ve always told the team that if they continue to work hard they will see more rewards,” McFarlane said. “Don’t lose the faith in how good you are. If you continue to play to the best of your ability and keep a positive attitude, you will see more rewards.”
A number of seniors on this year’s team played as sophomores, struggling through the grind of the Marawood against top teams in the state such as Stratford, Edgar and Marathon.
A 38-18 win over Marathon in Week 2 may have been the key to the Apaches’ season, and in showing that maybe those rewards will start to come.
“The biggest thing is we have a lot of experience,” McFarlane said. “We have seniors that have been starting since they were sophomores. Now they get to play people their own age. We have a really good commitment during the summer and that has helped.”
Along with that experience comes confidence.
“We have a solid offensive line and all the guys are buying into the offense,” McFarlane said. “It’s our fifth year running it and they are good and understanding the schemes and formations. Overall, we really have a solid line that consistently guarantees us four or five yards a crack. With Kyle (Willfahrt) at running back, he can turn that into a 10- or 15-yard run.”
Willfahrt leads the Marawood in rushing with 699 yards and a 5.5 yards per carry average. Kyle Greunke has added another 150 yards and quarterback C.J. Castellano has five rushing touchdowns and 250 yards throwing.
First up for the Apaches is Chequamegon (2-3, 1-3 Marawood) this Friday at home.
The Screaming Eagles, who lost their first three games to Marathon, McDonell and Edgar, are coming off a 22-21 nonconference win over Altoona a week after blowing up the scoreboard with a 57-36 win over Rib Lake/Prentice.
Chequamegon is led by a rushing attack that features Christian Newburry, who has 423 yards rushing and nine touchdowns. The Eagles have only 170 yards passing on the season.
“They are playing with a lot of confidence,” McFarlane said of the Eagles. “They scored 50-some points against Rib Lake. They are scary when they are confident. They have a couple of really good players. “It’s going to be a good game. We have to keep our offense on the field and put together some long drives.”