MONROE - The Monroe football team debuted a new 4-3 defensive scheme and displayed a successful short and intermediate passing game when they finally got a chance to hit someone else during a scrimmage in New Glarus Saturday.
"This is the first live action we have done," Monroe coach Curt Miller said. "I was expecting to start a little slow. This was our chance to play fast and physical. I was pleased with the progress we made."
The scrimmage Saturday included Monroe, New Glarus-Monticello, Evansville-Albany and Platteville. Each team ran 20 to 25 plays in 20 minutes on offense and defense in the first two sessions.
Early on, it was tough sledding for the Cheesemakers when they tried to run the ball against Platteville. Both sophomore quarterback Tyler Elmer and senior quarterback Chase Hellenbrand shined in the short passing game. Elmer completed 2 of 3 passes and had a 25-yard pass wiped out due to a holding penalty. Hellenbrand tossed a 34-yard touchdown pass to Jake Kind on a quick out. Kind caught four TDs during the scrimmage.
The Cheesemakers' switch to a 4-3 defense showed they will swarm to the ball, and the linebeacker core displayed the quickness to make plays. Defensive tackle Sean Saxby and Seth Calaway both had sacks. The Cheesemakers forced the Hillmen into three turnovers with interceptions by Carter Sawdey, Jaron Kuester and Kind.
"It was just a scheme change we thought would benefit us," Miller said. "We do have a lot of speed and athletic kids on that side of the ball. When they are playing that fast and physical it's tough for the offense to do things consistently."
On the first play against Evansville-Albany, Monroe senior running back Cody Wolf cutback on the backside of the defense and raced for a 35-yard TD run. The Cheesemakers had success pounding the ball against the Blue Devils. Wolf rushed for 55 yards on four carries and scored one touchdown. The passing game was just as impressive. Elmer completed 3 of 4 passes for 66 yards and two TDs. Elmer hooked up with Kind on a 35-yard TD pass, and they connected on a 16-yard TD pass on third down.
"We want to be able to change the tempo," Miller said. "We want to throw high percentage passes and keep the ball off the ground."
The Cheesemakers had three sacks against the Blue Devils, with sacks from Calaway, sophomore Dylan Beaver and a coverage sack. The Blue Devils have three players vying to be the starting quarterback including junior Ben Haegele, junior Cole Trapp and freshman Zachary Mielke. Each had their opportunities during the scrimmage. The Cheesemakers kept the Blue Devils out of the end zone for most of the scrimmage until Nick Cornwell scored a short TD run. Trapp also hooked up with tight end Trevor Bierman on a 35-yard TD pass that was wiped out due to a targeting call.
Evansville-Albany coach Ron Grovesteen didn't give any indication which way he is leaning with his quarterback battle.
"They are all even-steven right now," he said.
The Cheesemakers and New Glarus-Monticello scaled back their scrimmage session to six to 10 plays after two hours of scrimmaging and a 30-minute break. Monroe junior Mitch Keith tossed a TD pass to Kind. The highlight for the Knights was a 35-yard TD run, but it was called back due to a holding penalty.
"The goal is to keep your kids healthy," Miller said.
New Glarus-Monticello coach Desie Breadon wanted to see how his team would respond to the competition.
"You get a lot of players experience and the backup players more than anything," Breadon said. "We want to find out who are best 11 are on both sides of the ball. We knew we would be young and take some lumps early. Some kids just have to play faster and up their aggressiveness."
The Knights had several players suffer minor injuries including fullback Dristen Kriebs, who Breadon said tweaked his back, and Ryan Foxen suffered a concussion.
"He's a tough kid," Breadon said of Kriebs. "I think he will be all right. He should be ready to go for Friday."
"This is the first live action we have done," Monroe coach Curt Miller said. "I was expecting to start a little slow. This was our chance to play fast and physical. I was pleased with the progress we made."
The scrimmage Saturday included Monroe, New Glarus-Monticello, Evansville-Albany and Platteville. Each team ran 20 to 25 plays in 20 minutes on offense and defense in the first two sessions.
Early on, it was tough sledding for the Cheesemakers when they tried to run the ball against Platteville. Both sophomore quarterback Tyler Elmer and senior quarterback Chase Hellenbrand shined in the short passing game. Elmer completed 2 of 3 passes and had a 25-yard pass wiped out due to a holding penalty. Hellenbrand tossed a 34-yard touchdown pass to Jake Kind on a quick out. Kind caught four TDs during the scrimmage.
The Cheesemakers' switch to a 4-3 defense showed they will swarm to the ball, and the linebeacker core displayed the quickness to make plays. Defensive tackle Sean Saxby and Seth Calaway both had sacks. The Cheesemakers forced the Hillmen into three turnovers with interceptions by Carter Sawdey, Jaron Kuester and Kind.
"It was just a scheme change we thought would benefit us," Miller said. "We do have a lot of speed and athletic kids on that side of the ball. When they are playing that fast and physical it's tough for the offense to do things consistently."
On the first play against Evansville-Albany, Monroe senior running back Cody Wolf cutback on the backside of the defense and raced for a 35-yard TD run. The Cheesemakers had success pounding the ball against the Blue Devils. Wolf rushed for 55 yards on four carries and scored one touchdown. The passing game was just as impressive. Elmer completed 3 of 4 passes for 66 yards and two TDs. Elmer hooked up with Kind on a 35-yard TD pass, and they connected on a 16-yard TD pass on third down.
"We want to be able to change the tempo," Miller said. "We want to throw high percentage passes and keep the ball off the ground."
The Cheesemakers had three sacks against the Blue Devils, with sacks from Calaway, sophomore Dylan Beaver and a coverage sack. The Blue Devils have three players vying to be the starting quarterback including junior Ben Haegele, junior Cole Trapp and freshman Zachary Mielke. Each had their opportunities during the scrimmage. The Cheesemakers kept the Blue Devils out of the end zone for most of the scrimmage until Nick Cornwell scored a short TD run. Trapp also hooked up with tight end Trevor Bierman on a 35-yard TD pass that was wiped out due to a targeting call.
Evansville-Albany coach Ron Grovesteen didn't give any indication which way he is leaning with his quarterback battle.
"They are all even-steven right now," he said.
The Cheesemakers and New Glarus-Monticello scaled back their scrimmage session to six to 10 plays after two hours of scrimmaging and a 30-minute break. Monroe junior Mitch Keith tossed a TD pass to Kind. The highlight for the Knights was a 35-yard TD run, but it was called back due to a holding penalty.
"The goal is to keep your kids healthy," Miller said.
New Glarus-Monticello coach Desie Breadon wanted to see how his team would respond to the competition.
"You get a lot of players experience and the backup players more than anything," Breadon said. "We want to find out who are best 11 are on both sides of the ball. We knew we would be young and take some lumps early. Some kids just have to play faster and up their aggressiveness."
The Knights had several players suffer minor injuries including fullback Dristen Kriebs, who Breadon said tweaked his back, and Ryan Foxen suffered a concussion.
"He's a tough kid," Breadon said of Kriebs. "I think he will be all right. He should be ready to go for Friday."
