There hasn’t been this much excitement for Gillett High School football in quite some time.
After graduating just six seniors from last year’s team, which finished 4-5, expectations are pretty high going into the 2014 campaign.
“We’re pretty confident this year that we’ve got a team at Gillett that we can finally legitimately say, ‘Hey, we’re going to be very competitive in our league,’” eighth-year head coach Rick Kamps said.
The Tigers started last season 1-4 but won three of their last four games. Kamps hopes to take that momentum into this season.
Gone are four main starters: wide receiver/hybrid linebacker Dylan Roberts, who had 855 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns and was first-team all-Marinette & Oconto Conference, defensive lineman Eric Fischer, and defensive ends Korey Badeau and Jake Kasten.
“I think we’re in great shape with what we have to replace those guys,” Kamps said. “Dylan is going to be the hardest one to replace because he was so dynamic after he got the ball in his hands.”
There are 25 upperclassmen (13 seniors and 12 juniors) on the squad, but just six sophomores and five freshmen.
The Tigers’ offense last year put up 30.6 points per game and featured a balanced attack (1,500 yards rushing and 1,400 passing). The defense, however, went through rough patches. It surrendered 36 or more points in six games but held two teams to six points or fewer.
“We can put points on the board, people know that. We’ve just got to do a better job of containing them,” Kamps said.
Offense
As a sophomore last season, quarterback Alex Zeitler put up big numbers, going 93 for 158 for 1,405 yards and 15 touchdowns with six interceptions. In conference play, he threw 13 TDs, including five in a win over Suring.
“He’s a dynamic individual who’s a great leader,” Kamps said. “He’s the guy that drives the bus. If he stays healthy, I think we’ll be OK.”
Kamps feels so comfortable with his quarterback that he allowed him to call audibles at the line of scrimmage last season. Zeitler (6-foot-2, 170 pounds) added a hard snap count to his repertoire during the first two weeks of practice.
With the departure of Roberts, Zeitler will have to find a new main target.
Kamps thinks that could be Leeland Kahler. The junior wide receiver showed flashes last season, including a big 55-yard touchdown catch against Crivitz.
“He’ll be good,” Kamps said. “He has good hands and runs good routes.”
Zeitler has other potential targets in running backs Monte Noffke and Matt Peterson and tailback/wide receiver Akeem Bates. A transfer from Bay Port, Bates had to play junior varsity last season because of WIAA rules. He’s the fastest kid on the team and qualified for the state long jump and triple jump last season as a junior.
Running the power-I formation, Kamps plans to utilize Noffke and Peterson as his main backs. Both were integral parts of last year’s offensive success. Noffke ran for 860 yards and 11 touchdowns. A second-team all-conference recipient, he is the top returning rusher in the conference. He also added 12 catches for 145 yards in M&O action.
Peterson, at wingback, will also get plenty of carries, as will Bates.
Fullback Brett Milhans is also a returning starter who paved the way for a solid ground game last season.
The Tigers return their entire offensive line, led by second-team all-conference selection Kody Pawlak.
Defense
The Tigers will once again run a 4-2-5 defensive scheme. Five starters are back, including four in the secondary.
Surrendering 65 and 62 points in back-to-back weeks vs. Peshtigo and Coleman, respectively, was a wake-up call for the Gillett last season.
“Our defense has got to get better,” Kamps said. “We’ve got to be able to shut people down more.”
Zeitler will anchor the secondary and play cornerback or hybrid/strong safety. Kahler led the team in interceptions last season with four despite not starting until halfway through the year. Peterson will play strong safety, and Evan Bubolz will be at free safety. Bates will also be able to showcase his ball-hawking skills in the secondary.
At linebacker, Kody Pawlak and Milhans will be relied on heavily.
On the defensive line, Gillett has to replace its two tackles, Fischer and Badeau. Junior Wyatt Schaal will play the one-technique and senior Tanner Gueller will be in the three-technique.
Mitch Umentum will be a speed rusher for the Tigers. He’s only 160 pounds, but he’s quick and strong, Kamps said.
Kamps isn’t shy about laying out major goals for his team this season.
“What I’m hoping for is a conference title,” Kamps said. “I’ll be disappointed if we don’t make the playoffs. I think the kids will be disappointed if they don’t make the playoffs.”
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