The players who were on the Oconto Falls High School football team a season ago got a taste of what it’s like to be in some games with a chance to win.
Despite going 0-8, the Panthers gained confidence in a couple of close losses.
“We were able to compete in a couple of games last year,” Oconto Falls coach Jeff Trochil said. “The end results of those games didn’t go the way we wanted, but we did have positives that they can build on and get some confidence in themselves. Just getting that game experience is huge.”
The Panthers have lost 18 consecutive games. Their last win was on Sept. 30, 2011.
“I think we have players in the program to get it done, it’s just a matter of executing,” Trochil said. “We were a lot more competitive than the year before and we will be more confident.”
Trochil believes his guys are much more comfortable in the second year of his system, and he has liked how his players have started practice.
“We’re working hard to get better every day and want to put out our best effort on the football field,” Trochil said.
Seven seniors graduated from last year’s team and around a half dozen players who saw significant time decided not to go out for the team.
There is a solid freshman class with 23 athletes. Depth will be an issue, however, since there are only about 45 players on the roster.
“The key is just staying healthy and staying fresh,” Trochil said. “When you’re missing depth and you have kids going both ways, that’s what you have to do, especially playing the competition we see.”
Offense
Coming off a season where the offense averaged 8.5 points per game and the Panthers were outscored 334-68, the offense needs a spark to ignite it this year.
Senior Jacob Yatso, who played some wingback last season, and sophomore Connor Scray are competing for the quarterback job.
“Whichever kid ends up taking the snaps for us, we’re going to be in good hands,” Trochil said.
Trochil calls Yatso one of the best players on his team and wants to utilize him in any manner possible.
“If we can get our best 11 on the field and get the sophomore (Scray) some reps, that might give us some flexibility,” Trochil said. “I feel really comfortable with Connor. He’s worked really hard and put himself into position to be in that spot where he could end up on top.”
Oconto Falls will have to replace the bulk of its rushing yards from last season after workhorse Tyler Kowalczyk graduated. Tyler’s younger brother, Austin, has stepped up early in practice and shown he can be a solid fullback.
Yatso and sophomore Mac Winkler, one of the fastest kids on the team, are two of the top running backs. Gunnar Leisner and Brice Delzer have also gotten a lot of carries in practice.
Trochil will rely on Jake Huberty as his top wide receiver. The junior has made some great plays in practice, as has Delzer. Aaron Kurth, a sophomore, is another player to keep an eye on this season.
The Panthers have the most experience on the offensive line. Ross Pumplun was an all-Bay Conference honorable mention selection last season and will again anchor the line at center.
“Great leader, hard-working kid and very smart football player,” Trochil said.
Also back on the line are returning junior guards Kaleb Westcott and Kyle Wolf. Dalton Curl, Zach Lemere and Garrett Cole are looking to fill the vacant tackle positions.
The Panthers will run the option offense. Primarily a run team, Trochil will try to keep defenses honest by throwing in some pass plays when needed.
“We’re going to try and control the line of scrimmage,” Trochil said. “We led the conference in first downs last year – just try to chip away.
“Our success is going to be determined on the ground.”
Defense
Oconto Falls had a tough time stopping teams a season ago. The Panthers surrendered 40 or more points in five of eight games.
The Panthers have back five guys who saw playing time in 2013: Yatso, Austin Kowalczyk, Leisner, Westcott and Wolf.
Yatso was an all-conference honorable mention recipient at linebacker but also will spend time at free safety. Inside linebackers Austin Kowalczyk and Leisner provide a lot of experience. Drake Rowland started one game last season at linebacker and will see time again.
Westcott and Wolf will patrol the defensive line along with Pumplun. Tyler Klimpke, Dylan Vandeneng, Lemere, Curl and Cole will get their fair share of snaps as well.
The biggest question mark on defense is the secondary, which is brand new and extremely young. Yatso and Delzer can both play there and at linebacker. Kurth, Vervelde and Scray have been getting repetitions in practice with a mix at cornerback and safety.
Oconto Falls finished last in the Bay a season ago. Trochil’s goal this year is to stay in more games.
“Just continue to improve and have the kids buy into our system and into the total culture of football as far as getting into the weight room in the offseason, buying into the training and making football a priority in the their life,” Trochil said. “It’s going to be a gradual culture change, and little by little, as the young kids grow up with it and our brand of football, I think that’s going to become more the expectation.”
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