DARLINGTON - After Mitchell Langkamp broke his collarbone in the second game of the season, he questioned whether his season was over.
The Darlington junior didn't envision a scenario where he would rehabilitate the injury and be able - not only to return to football - but get back in the starting lineup. That's exactly what Langkamp did against Arcadia in the WIAA Division 5 state quarterfinal Nov. 6, and he scored a touchdown.
Now as the Redbirds prepare for their Division 5 state semifinal game against unbeaten Brillion, Langkamp is just excited to be back playing the game he loves.
"I didn't think I would make it back," Langkamp said. "Even if I did make it back, I didn't think the coaches would use me."
Being away from football is not something that Langkamp took lightly.
"I think I want it even more now than I ever wanted it," Langkamp said of having the chance to play football again and reach the state finals at Camp Randall Stadium.
The final hurdle for Darlington (12-0) will be trying to find a way to slow down Brillion. The Lions are led by Tanner Behnke who has rushed for 1,059 yards and 20 touchdowns. Justin Zeamer has added 641 rushing yards and scored seven touchdowns. Will James has rushed for 386 yards and eight touchdowns.
There's no secret about what the Lions like to do - run the football.
Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said they've been watching a lot of film of their opponent, Brillion. So far, the coach is impressed with what he sees out of the other team.
"The effort they give on every play snaps out of the screen," he said. "There is numerous plays where they put their defense on their butts and don't ever quit."
Darlington senior Alex Erickson has racked up more than 2,200 yards (1,053 rushing with 21 TDs) and 1,151 passing yards with 12 TDs). Fellow senior Tucker Wiegel is a dual threat out of the backfield. He has rushed for 395 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. Wiegel has 356 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Darlington junior Seth Rowe is closing in on 500 rushing yards and is also a threat to score in the red zone.
Zywicki said the team also has been working Brillion's schemes with its own players.
"We are obviously running their things against our kids' best offense and defense," he said. "We are doing everything we can to get ourselves ready for this game."
The Darlington junior didn't envision a scenario where he would rehabilitate the injury and be able - not only to return to football - but get back in the starting lineup. That's exactly what Langkamp did against Arcadia in the WIAA Division 5 state quarterfinal Nov. 6, and he scored a touchdown.
Now as the Redbirds prepare for their Division 5 state semifinal game against unbeaten Brillion, Langkamp is just excited to be back playing the game he loves.
"I didn't think I would make it back," Langkamp said. "Even if I did make it back, I didn't think the coaches would use me."
Being away from football is not something that Langkamp took lightly.
"I think I want it even more now than I ever wanted it," Langkamp said of having the chance to play football again and reach the state finals at Camp Randall Stadium.
The final hurdle for Darlington (12-0) will be trying to find a way to slow down Brillion. The Lions are led by Tanner Behnke who has rushed for 1,059 yards and 20 touchdowns. Justin Zeamer has added 641 rushing yards and scored seven touchdowns. Will James has rushed for 386 yards and eight touchdowns.
There's no secret about what the Lions like to do - run the football.
Darlington coach Scott Zywicki said they've been watching a lot of film of their opponent, Brillion. So far, the coach is impressed with what he sees out of the other team.
"The effort they give on every play snaps out of the screen," he said. "There is numerous plays where they put their defense on their butts and don't ever quit."
Darlington senior Alex Erickson has racked up more than 2,200 yards (1,053 rushing with 21 TDs) and 1,151 passing yards with 12 TDs). Fellow senior Tucker Wiegel is a dual threat out of the backfield. He has rushed for 395 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. Wiegel has 356 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Darlington junior Seth Rowe is closing in on 500 rushing yards and is also a threat to score in the red zone.
Zywicki said the team also has been working Brillion's schemes with its own players.
"We are obviously running their things against our kids' best offense and defense," he said. "We are doing everything we can to get ourselves ready for this game."
