Packerland: Kewaunee looks to reach next level
KEWAUNEE – The Kewaunee football team will have a new look this year with matte finish helmets.
However, the Storm should continue to shine in 2019.
Kewaunee went 11-1 last year, claiming its first conference title since 2010 and winning a playoff game for the first time since 2013 before falling to Stratford in the WIAA Division 5 state quarterfinals.
With some big pieces back, the Storm would like to take its game to the next level this season.
“One of the things that we talked to the guys about, and they’ve got to remember, is if you want to rise above the level that we were at last year, we have to make sure we’re doing things in practice at a higher level,” Kewaunee coach Randy Charles said. “So, continuing to push ourselves and getting better every single day.”
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Kewaunee’s high hopes will be anchored by University of Wisconsin recruit Tanor Bortolini.
The MONLPC-Large offensive and defensive lineman of the year will be responsible for helping to bring along a largely inexperienced front. Bortolini is the only returning starting lineman from an offense that averaged 41.3 points per game last year.
“He was surrounded by four seniors last year,” Charles said. “It’s definitely going to be a different role for him there and something we’re going to be looking for him to grow into.”
Bortolini will be in charge of protecting the blindside for senior quarterback Ryan Carmichael and opening holes for senior running back Owen Kudick, both of whom were first team all-conference players last year.
Carmichael threw for 1,845 yards and 30 touchdowns, while Kudick rushed for over 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Leading receivers Alex Hewett and McCoy Walechka will have to be replaced, but the Storm will continue to have size on the perimeter with the likes of 6-foot-3 senior Max Hanrahan.
The Storm will aim to win a second straight title in a conference that has some received some big hits.
Kewaunee’s first contested conference game won’t be until Oct. 4.
Its first conference game was scheduled for Sept. 20 against Sturgeon Bay, which cancelled its 11-player schedule at the start of preseason practice due to low numbers and will play 8-player this year.
That leaves the Packerland Conference with just four teams, including Kewaunee, Oconto, Peshtigo and Southern Door. Coleman is not counting as a cross-over game like it has in the past two years, and Algoma also is making the moving to 8-player this year.
Even if the remaining four 11-player teams could find a replacement game on short notice for Sturgeon Bay, it wouldn’t be able to take it since the Packerland Conference already received a signed waiver from the WIAA to play only four conference games and still be eligible to make the playoffs. The forfeit from Sturgeon Bay would be needed for that to happen.
“It definitely makes it difficult for us,” Charles said. “We have an extremely tough time even being able to fill a JV schedule, and when you got things like this that come up last minute it makes things very difficult for us, but it is what it is and we’ll make the best of it.”
Packerland Conference at a glance
Kewaunee
Coach: Randy Charles, 4th season, 23-9
Last year: 11-1
The Storm has to replace six first team all-conference players. It opens the season against Kiel. It has also added Manawa and Omro to its nonconference scheduled for this year.
Oconto
Coach: Brian Sohrweide, 5th season, 16-22
Last year: 2-7
Following back-to-back playoff appearances, the Blue Devils missed out on the postseason last year. Oconto has to replace quarterback/defensive back Zach Sherman and receiver/defensive back Bennett Frazer.
Peshtigo
Coach: Jeff Bayerl,2nd season,7-3
Last year: 7-3
The Bulldogs made the playoffs for an 11th straight year despite battling some big injuries to quarterback Nick Nielson and running back Jared Jandt. Both return this season and should give Peshtigo a good chance to win a playoff game for the first time since 2009.
Southern Door
Coach: Ryan Zuehlke, 2nd season, 7-4
Last year: 7-4
Derik LeCaptain has moved on to the University of Minnesota and his production will be tough to replace. The Eagles, who have made the playoffs for five straight years, return senior lineman Evan Wheaton, a first team all-conference player. Junior Nick Baudhuin finished third on the team in rushing and tackles last year.