PLATTEVILLE - University of Wisconsin-Platteville running back Lee Vlasak didn't come home for Thanksgiving.
Vlasak, a Blanchardville native and a Pecatonica High School graduate, was one of about 75 players and coaches on hand at UW-Platteville coach Mike Emendorfer's home for Thanksgiving on Thursday.
"When I took the job, my wife Lisa and I talked about what we would do for Thanksgiving if we were in the playoffs," Emendorfer said. "Fortunately, we have a big basement. Thanksgiving is about family and this is part of our family. It's something we wanted to do to give back. I'm disappointed some of the players won't be able to make it home to have dinner with their families and get back by Friday."
The Pioneers (10-1) have a lot to be thankful for. Platteville, ranked seventh in the D3Football.com poll, is gearing up for a second-round NCAA Division III playoff game against fourth-ranked North Central (10-0) at noon Saturday, Nov. 30 in Naperville, Ill. The Pioneers defeated Concordia 54-20 for the first playoff win in the history of the school. Now, the Pioneers get a chance to play after Thanksgiving.
"It was an impressive setup," Vlasak said of the Thanksgiving dinner. "There was a ton of food. It was cool to see everyone from the area and campus come together. Everyone and all of the coaches' wives have been supportive."
For Vlasak, a second-team WIAC All-Conference all-purpose running back, it's a chance to go out with a bang. Vlasak has battled some adversity. He suffered a broken hand the second week of the season, but it was a shoulder injury later in the season that forced him to miss four games. He had last season wiped out because of a torn quad injury and he received a redshirt year. He has practiced this week and Vlasak said the plan is to play against North Central.
"It was hard not to be on the field for a playoff game," Vlasak said. "It's been hard to handle the last two years. I have been a little unfortunate to be hurt the last two years. I have been healthy in just two games the last two years."
He wouldn't trade the success his team has been having this year for health.
"I would rather my team be in the playoffs than to be healthy," he said.
Vlasak is looking to return and make an immediate impact Saturday.
"I feel confident going out there," Vlasak said. "I'm still the same player I was. My shoulder was a little banged up. I still have my speed. I'm rested after the last four weeks and my legs are fresh."
Vlasak has rushed for 517 yards and five touchdowns in eight games. He has 18 receptions for 154 yards and four touchdowns.
"He's very versatile," Emendorfer said. "He can play running back or receiver. He's very strong, quick and agile. Pound for pound, he's one of the strongest guys on the team. He's a back who can get the tough yards and he has the ability to take it 40 or 50 yards for a touchdown."
Vlasak understands running back Andy Puccini has earned a role as a featured runner for the Pioneers and he is willing to contribute any way he can.
"I may play wide receiver a little bit," Vlasak said. "He (Puccini) is running and playing really well right now. He's in a groove."
North Central has played and beaten three WIAC teams including UW-Stevens Point (27-7), UW-Stout (41-14) and UW-La Crosse (41-24). It could be a shootout with two prolific passing teams. North Central quarterback Spencer Stanek has passed for 2,774 yards and 36 TDs and just one interception this season. Platteville quarterback John Kelly has passed for 3,377 yards and 34 TDs. The Cardinals are averaging 46 points per game compared to the Pioneers' 39.2 ppg.
"It will be a big challenge for us," Emendorfer said. "Talent-wise they are comparable to Oshkosh and Whitewater. They are very explosive on offense. We will have to bend a little bit, but be very disciplined."
The only loss for the Pioneers this year was 35-16 to Whitewater.
When Emendorfer took over coaching duties 14 years ago, the Pioneers were coming off a 1-9 season. Emendorfer was named the WIAC Coach of the Year for the second time this year.
"No one thought it was possible," Emendorfer said. "I think our conference has prepared us. I think (the loss to Whitewater) taught us a lot going into Oshkosh. We were down by six in the fourth quarter, but we just didn't make the plays. We can't have the turnovers. We know when we get in another game against a great team we won't flinch. They (North Central) are one of the premier teams in the nation and we won't flinch."
Once his football career is over, Vlasak still plans to have a career in the sports scene. He is a health and performance trainer major who will graduate in May. He will then complete an internship. However, he hopes it comes after several more weeks and a chance to play for the championship in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl. The Pioneers would have to likely beat No. 1 ranked Mount Union and a repeat chance against Whitewater wouldn't come until the championship.
Vlasak has missed three games against UW-Whitewater the last three years due to injuries. He's excited that the Pioneers and Warhawks are on opposite sides of the playoff bracket.
"I really want to play against them (Whitewater)," Vlasak said. "If we get there, it would be a revenge game to prove that Platteville belongs."
Vlasak, a Blanchardville native and a Pecatonica High School graduate, was one of about 75 players and coaches on hand at UW-Platteville coach Mike Emendorfer's home for Thanksgiving on Thursday.
"When I took the job, my wife Lisa and I talked about what we would do for Thanksgiving if we were in the playoffs," Emendorfer said. "Fortunately, we have a big basement. Thanksgiving is about family and this is part of our family. It's something we wanted to do to give back. I'm disappointed some of the players won't be able to make it home to have dinner with their families and get back by Friday."
The Pioneers (10-1) have a lot to be thankful for. Platteville, ranked seventh in the D3Football.com poll, is gearing up for a second-round NCAA Division III playoff game against fourth-ranked North Central (10-0) at noon Saturday, Nov. 30 in Naperville, Ill. The Pioneers defeated Concordia 54-20 for the first playoff win in the history of the school. Now, the Pioneers get a chance to play after Thanksgiving.
"It was an impressive setup," Vlasak said of the Thanksgiving dinner. "There was a ton of food. It was cool to see everyone from the area and campus come together. Everyone and all of the coaches' wives have been supportive."
For Vlasak, a second-team WIAC All-Conference all-purpose running back, it's a chance to go out with a bang. Vlasak has battled some adversity. He suffered a broken hand the second week of the season, but it was a shoulder injury later in the season that forced him to miss four games. He had last season wiped out because of a torn quad injury and he received a redshirt year. He has practiced this week and Vlasak said the plan is to play against North Central.
"It was hard not to be on the field for a playoff game," Vlasak said. "It's been hard to handle the last two years. I have been a little unfortunate to be hurt the last two years. I have been healthy in just two games the last two years."
He wouldn't trade the success his team has been having this year for health.
"I would rather my team be in the playoffs than to be healthy," he said.
Vlasak is looking to return and make an immediate impact Saturday.
"I feel confident going out there," Vlasak said. "I'm still the same player I was. My shoulder was a little banged up. I still have my speed. I'm rested after the last four weeks and my legs are fresh."
Vlasak has rushed for 517 yards and five touchdowns in eight games. He has 18 receptions for 154 yards and four touchdowns.
"He's very versatile," Emendorfer said. "He can play running back or receiver. He's very strong, quick and agile. Pound for pound, he's one of the strongest guys on the team. He's a back who can get the tough yards and he has the ability to take it 40 or 50 yards for a touchdown."
Vlasak understands running back Andy Puccini has earned a role as a featured runner for the Pioneers and he is willing to contribute any way he can.
"I may play wide receiver a little bit," Vlasak said. "He (Puccini) is running and playing really well right now. He's in a groove."
North Central has played and beaten three WIAC teams including UW-Stevens Point (27-7), UW-Stout (41-14) and UW-La Crosse (41-24). It could be a shootout with two prolific passing teams. North Central quarterback Spencer Stanek has passed for 2,774 yards and 36 TDs and just one interception this season. Platteville quarterback John Kelly has passed for 3,377 yards and 34 TDs. The Cardinals are averaging 46 points per game compared to the Pioneers' 39.2 ppg.
"It will be a big challenge for us," Emendorfer said. "Talent-wise they are comparable to Oshkosh and Whitewater. They are very explosive on offense. We will have to bend a little bit, but be very disciplined."
The only loss for the Pioneers this year was 35-16 to Whitewater.
When Emendorfer took over coaching duties 14 years ago, the Pioneers were coming off a 1-9 season. Emendorfer was named the WIAC Coach of the Year for the second time this year.
"No one thought it was possible," Emendorfer said. "I think our conference has prepared us. I think (the loss to Whitewater) taught us a lot going into Oshkosh. We were down by six in the fourth quarter, but we just didn't make the plays. We can't have the turnovers. We know when we get in another game against a great team we won't flinch. They (North Central) are one of the premier teams in the nation and we won't flinch."
Once his football career is over, Vlasak still plans to have a career in the sports scene. He is a health and performance trainer major who will graduate in May. He will then complete an internship. However, he hopes it comes after several more weeks and a chance to play for the championship in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl. The Pioneers would have to likely beat No. 1 ranked Mount Union and a repeat chance against Whitewater wouldn't come until the championship.
Vlasak has missed three games against UW-Whitewater the last three years due to injuries. He's excited that the Pioneers and Warhawks are on opposite sides of the playoff bracket.
"I really want to play against them (Whitewater)," Vlasak said. "If we get there, it would be a revenge game to prove that Platteville belongs."
