G.B. Southwest keeps sights set high
GREEN BAY – A memorable chapter of Green Bay Southwest football was written last year. Turning the page to add another isn’t going to be easy. “We got to make sure everybody is on the same page,” Southwest senior quarterback Nick Howard said about helping the new faces in the lineup. “We’re going to get rolling and all doing the same thing. We know what’s going on before we get to the season.”
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Following an improbable run to the WIAA Division 2 state semifinals, the retooled Trojans will be tested right out of the gate Thursday when they host Pulaski in the season opener. Gone for Southwest are Josh Komis and Nathan Steinbrecker, a pair of four-year starters and the program’s career leaders for rushing yards (4,390) and tackles (418), respectively. Most of Howard’s favorite targets are also gone, including Fox River Classic Conference receiver of the year Kaleb Keener. The Trojans’ youth and experience not only could be seen on the field during preseason practices, but in the parking lot as well. “We are in flux,” Southwest co-head coach Pat Wallace said. “I’m driving kids around more. They call me Southwest Uber. Our kids need that support system that last year’s group didn’t need.”
Isaac Klarkowski Howard will be in charge once again of driving Southwest’s no-huddle offense. The University of South Dakota recruit completed 118 of 231 passes for 2,109 yards and 23 touchdowns with 10 touchdowns in addition to rushing for 640 yards and six touchdowns in his first full year as the starter. Senior center Isaac Klarkowski is back as a four-year starter to anchor the offensive line after earning first-team all-FRCC honors last year. “I’ve got some guys that are ahead scheme wise,” Wallace said. “Around here we don’t have a lot of depth. … We have to develop these guys and hope that they get up to that standard. Athletically, we’ll be OK. One thing we like is we have some height at receiver finally.” Scharping focused on big finish at NIU 5 practices in 5 hours Will Pytleski (6-foot-4) is the most experienced receiver, having caught 21 receptions for 427 yards and five touchdowns. Southwest’s youth in the receiving corps includes 6-foot-6 sophomore Nathan Letsratz at tight end. “He’s already in a size 16 shoe,” Wallace said. “The trademarks are there that we see some potential there. We potentially could put four to five receivers out that are 6-4 or taller, which is a pretty nice gig in high school. We’re used to playing with 5-11 kids. That’s the one thing we might gain an advantage on.” Steinbrecker, the FRCC defensive player of the year, will be tough to replace in the middle of the Trojans’ defense. Six returning players have varsity experience on that side of the ball, including Howard (safety), Klarkowski (lineman), senior Logan Surprise (lineman), senior Matthew Wautier (linebacker), senior Josh Yasha (defensive back) and junior Taejon Richards (linebacker). Yasha led the FRCC with six interceptions last year, while Klarkowski was a second team all-conference choice. Junior Camden Czarnecki also returns at kicker after making all three of his field-goal attempts and going 20-for-22 in splitting the extra-point duties last year. “Our motto for the year is beat the drum,” Wallace said. “Our drum stands for discipline, relentlessness, unity and mental toughness. That’s our key focus for the year.” https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1636892336422988.1073741856.1258808630898029&type=1&l=6925cc1896 G.B. Southwest at a glance Co-head coaches: Tim Birr and Pat Wallace , 6th season, 33-20 Last year: 11-2 All-conference players to replace: Kaleb Keener, WR, 1st team/2nd team Josh Komis, RB, 1st team Nathan Steinbrecker, LB, 1st team Jared Walton, DE, 1st team Joe Statz, DB, 1st team Noah Schmidt, WR, 2nd team Dylan Asoh, OLB, 2nd team All conference players returning: Isaac Klarkowski, sr., OL/DL, 1st team/2nd team Nick Howard, sr., QB, 2nd team Josh Yasha, sr., DB, HM 2018 Schedule Aug. 16 Pulaski Aug. 23 at De Pere Aug. 30 at G.B. Preble Sept. 7 Manitowoc Sept. 14 at Ashwaubenon Sept. 21 at Sheboygan South Sept. 28 Bay Port Oct. 5 G.B. Notre Dame Oct. 12 at Sheboygan North Alums playing college football: Allen Bunker, UW-Eau Claire Kaleb Keener, St. Thomas University Josh Komis, St. Thomas University Sim Nelson, UW-Stevens Point Max Scharping. Northern Illinois University Nathan Steinbrecker, UW-Oshkosh