Another year has passed with athletes going through Shawano Community High School football coach Alan Tomow’s system.
With each additional year, Tomow sees the team getting closer to his final goal.
“I expect us to take the next step and be a little further along than we were the last year,” Tomow said. “Each year, we are trying to build on what we did the previous year.”
Last season, SCHS went 3-7 overall, 2-6 in the Bay Conference, defeating New London, 28-26, and Oconto Falls, 43-14. The team lost 13 graduating seniors.
Clintonville, the Hawks’ first nonconference opponent, has defeated just one team over the past two seasons — Random Lake, in the final game last year. The Truckers had lost 19 straight games prior to the victory.
Oconto Falls is no longer in the Bay Conference, as WIAA realignment made the Bay Conference school enrollments much more comparable than before.
“I expect everything will be a lot tighter,” Tomow said. “Each game is going to be competitive. Whoever is going to get hot is going to win football games.”
After nearly three weeks of practice before the season opener Friday, Tomow’s team is exactly where he would expect at this junction of the year.
“I think we are doing some really good things,” Tomow said. “In other areas, we need to pick it up. Overall, I think we are where we need to be or where I thought we would be.
“It’s just about making our strengths and weaknesses mix a little more. The kids are working real hard and I’m happy with our effort.”
SCHS could get off to a good start this season because team captains lineman Zeke Gueths, quarterback Jack Hanauer and wide receiver Adam Bartz have been integral leaders in keeping the team organized during the offseason and have maintained communication with Tomow.
“Those guys have done a great job of getting everyone organized, and just being that bridge between the team and me,” Tomow said. “They can bring issues to me, and I can count on them to keep everyone in line.”
That’s not the only thing Tomow expects of his captains.
“They are being a little more vocal than we’ve had in the past, and that’s what we need,” Tomow said. “At some point, the kids need to take their football team and make it their own.”
For the Hawks, it’s the small improvements that can make a big difference in the win-loss column.
The captains, especially Gueths, are trying to change the mentality of the team to keep SCHS football headed in the right direction.
“We’ve just got to keep a high energy,” Gueths said. “Get rid of the “me” and start focusing on the “we.” I think it will be a fun year.”
