Although it has been a rocky last three-plus years for the Oconto Falls High School football program, three players were about as steady as they come.
Ross Pumplun and Jacob Yatso stuck it out and endured 27 losses in a row. Sam Konitzer has felt the sting of defeat too often. However, the three seniors on this year’s team are happy they finished their careers wearing a Panthers helmet.
“If we had 20 other guys like this we’d be getting ready to make a run in the playoffs right now,” Oconto Falls coach Jeff Trochil said.
“Jake Yatso and Ross Pumplun provide the leadership,” Trochil said. “That senior aspect of your team is huge, and when you don’t have a lot of numbers, a lot of weight is put on their shoulders. They really withstood the peer pressure to come out for the team.”
There were about 10 juniors on last year’s roster, but the majority decided not to go out this season for various reasons.
Konitzer didn’t start the year on the team, but he changed his mind in time to come back for the third game.
“I couldn’t wait any longer. I had to get out with them, and luckily they all accepted me back,” Konitzer said. “I saw how hard they were working and it made me want to work harder.”
Pumplun, an all-Bay Conference honorable-mention selection last season at center, and Yatso, an all-conference honorable-mention linebacker last year, were the team captains and anchors of the program. They weren’t about to miss their final season playing football.
“I’ve always loved football and from a young age I always played it,” Pumplun said. “I just knew I wouldn’t be able to give it up. I don’t understand why everyone else wanted to give it up. It was a lot of fun the other years, so there was no chance I was going to give it up.”
“I believe I have a no-quit kind of attitude,” Yatso said. “The guys that came out this year made me proud.”
The three seniors were on varsity since their sophomore seasons.
“It’s a fun experience and it really taught me a lot about leadership and teamwork,” said Pumplun, who was a two-year starter on the offensive and defensive lines. “Even though we didn’t win, it was really inspiring to see how close we all grew together and how much we could grow as a team.”
“It’s been a great experience, especially with all the kids we have,” Yatso said. “Most of them are great friends of mine and it’s fun to play with them.”
“To play with two of your best friends all the way through middle school and you just create a relationship – they’re like brothers to you,” Konitzer said.
Yatso, who started this season at halfback and free safety, enjoys all the great memories he had with Pumplun and Konitzer on and off the field.
“I couldn’t ask for two better guys to play with,” Pumplun said. “They both work hard and they both give 100 percent effort every play. I wouldn’t want to play with any other people in the world.”
The three seniors wanted to close out their careers with a victory, but unfortunately that didn’t happen. However, the guys are hoping to leave a lasting legacy.
“I just want everyone to remember that us three seniors worked hard, and that if three of us can work hard, then everybody else can work as hard and push each other and get stuff done,” Pumplun said.
“We gave it everything we had and we were great leaders on the team,” Yatso said.
With their high school football careers over, there are many things the seniors are going to miss.
Tops on Yatso’s list is just hanging out with the guys.
“We all got really close and we all worked really hard,” Pumplun said. “We really grew as a family, and I’m going to really miss the camaraderie.”
“I’m going to miss the locker room, the field,” Konitzer said. “Nothing gets better than being with your brothers and screwing around and having fun.”
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