Gresen looks to pick up the pace at Preble
GREEN BAY – Quick. Whatever his team is doing, Dustin Gresen wants it to be doing it quickly. That includes the managers filling water bottles at a rapid pace to keep up during Green Bay Preble football practice. “We don’t have water breaks anymore,” Preble senior Dalton Lardinois said. “We bring waters around with us, so that way we can get to the next drill faster. That way we’re not wasting time. It’s definitely more upbeat and just more intense all together.”
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Gresen was named Preble’s head coach in May and has been moving just as quickly as his players to put his stamp on the team in taking over the reins from Tim Larsen. Four of the Hornets’ program record seven straight WIAA Division 1 playoff appearances came under Larsen. Gresen, who previously was the defensive coordinator, wants to continue that success and take aim at leading Preble to its first conference title since 2005. Although he’d like to accomplish the latter soon, Gresen understands it will be a building process. “The first thing I really concentrated on doing was developing the values of the program,” Gresen said. “We have character, trustworthy, respect, growth and accountability. I developed the rest of how I wanted to handle what are team and our staff was going to look like based around those five values.” Gresen played both ways at Hartford Union in high school before going on to play at St. Norbert College. He coached at Ashwaubenon and then joined Preble’s staff. Gresen plans to continue to call the defense, while Jason Bins will handle the play-calling duties on offense. Bins previously coached at Appleton Xavier and was an assistant at Ashwaubenon with Gresen. “We have a lot of athletes,” Gresen said. “We just have to get them in the right spots, and we’ll be very successful when we do that.”
EJ Reese The Hornets have some outstanding athletes to replace. Running back Henry Geil is now at the University of Iowa after rushing for 1,479 yards and 16 touchdowns last year, while Gavin Buergi’s sprinter speed and quickness will also be missed. Buergi’s younger brother, Ryan, a junior, was competing with senior Jack Dessart for the quarterback spot entering the season. Senior tight end Tanner Lardinois, senior receiver Clay Kott, senior receiver Anthony Veriha and senior lineman Tanner Diring are the most experienced players returning to the offense. “Our practices are more rapid fire,” Preble senior EJ Reese said. “Coach likes the chippiness that we all bring and the communication.” Reese was the team’s leading tackler and finished second in the FRCC with five interceptions to receive honorable mention all-conference accolades as a defensive back last year. The 6-foot, 190-pounder may see some time at running back during his senior season. Senior defensive back Logan Dorner and senior lineman Devin Hartjes are the other returning players with a lot of experience on defense. “I’m excited to see who steps up,” Lardinois said. “We lost a lot of people, so people have to step up.”
G.B. Preble at a glance Coach: Dustin Gresen, 1st season Last year: 6-4 All-conference players to replace: Henry Geil, RB, 1st team Gavin Buergi, KR/WR, 1st team/HM Ryan Possley, OL, 1st team Nic Dahlke, DL, 1st team Wyatt Stenson, P/K, 1st team/2nd team Jack Rentmeester, OL, 2nd team Jordan Gaulke, DB, 2nd team Carson Lukas, DE, HM Colin Dougherty, OLB, HM All conference players returning: EJ Reese, sr., DB, HM 2018 Schedule Aug. 16 Ashwaubenon Aug. 23 at Manitowoc Aug. 30 at G.B. Southwest Sept. 7 at De Pere Sept. 14 Sheboygan South Sept. 21 Sheboygan North Sept. 28 at G.B. Notre Dame Oct. 5 at Pulaski Oct. 12 at Bay Port Alums playing college football: Anthony Aziere, St. Norbert College Jake Berken, St. Norbert College Nic Dahlke, Minnesota State-Mankato Will Daniels, St. Norbert College Jordan Gaulke, Carroll College Henry Geil, University of Iowa Ben Kornowski, St. Norbert College Zach Kracky, St. Norbert College Marcus May, UW-Oshkosh Paco Ponce, UW-Stevens Point Wyatt Stenson, UW-Platteville Ryan Possley, Minnesota State-Mankato Jack Rentmeester, Minnesota State-Mankato Cal Sebranek, UW-La Crosse Ethan VandenPlas, St. Norbert College Joel Vargas, Concordia University Wisconsin Coy Wanner, University of Wisconsin https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1636892336422988.1073741856.1258808630898029&type=1&l=6925cc1896