Athlete Profile: Johnny Stewart

The Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School football team got its season off to a 3-0 start before a tight loss to Amherst on Sept. 10. Senior Johnny Stewart has helped anchor the Chargers’ offensive and defensive lines.

Stewart is coming off a 2020 season in which he made the Central Wisconsin Conference-Large Division honorable mention team for his play as an offensive lineman. This year, he’s helped the offense rack up 159 points across four games.

Heading into the game against Amherst, Stewart had accumulated 15 total tackles, eight of which resulted in losses. He also had been credited with one sack.

According to wissports.net, Stewart was also among the top marks in the state for his eight tackles for losses.

Along with his play as a lineman, Stewart also serves as the Chargers’ kicker.

Q: When did your interest in football begin?

A: When I first started playing peewee in third grade.

Q: What is your favorite part about the football season?

A: Chow time every Thursday with the team.

Q: Your team is off to a strong start this year. What’s the key to achieving even more success as the season continues on?

A: Working and playing together as one unit and not making the little mistakes that the opponent can capitalize on.

Q: What makes this year’s team special and successful?

A: As a team, we all work together great and push each other to be great. Our coaches really believe in our potential, and that makes us as a team strive for it.

Q: Do you have any individual goals you hope to accomplish this season?

A: An interception so coach Borgy (Ryan Borgemoen) can buy me a Gatorade. Moving from four in the state for TFLs (tackles for losses) to one.

Q: As a senior, how are you helping lead the rest of the team?

A: Trying to set an example for the younger kids to know what it takes to be a successful team.

Q: Do you have any rituals you go through before a game starts?

A: I’ve worn the same shirt for every game since freshman year.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Wittenberg-Birnamwood football team?

A: Sophomore year when my brother (Simon) flopped to draw a penalty, and it worked. So we started celebrating in the middle of the field because they scored a touchdown, but it was called back.

Q: Favorite movie, TV show and musical artist?

A: TV show — “Big Timber.” Movie — “Tommy Boy.” Musical artist — Tech N9ne.

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know.

A: I love to cook.

Q: What’s the greatest piece of advice you have ever been told?

A: “Trouble is easy to get into but hard to get out” — Coach (Bernard) Holsey.

Q: What are some things you hope to accomplish after graduating high school?

A: Become a traveling electrician.

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Johnny Stewart

Sport: Football

Positions: Defensive tackle, right guard, kicker

School: Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School

Year: Senior