BRODHEAD — The Cardinals have reached the postseason in 16 of the last 18 years. That statistic will need an asterisk added to it after the alternative fall season in 2021, as the WIAA will not hold a postseason for the alternative fall. 

“Our goal this spring season is to get the program back to its winning ways,” said Jim Matthys, now with 13 years as head coach under his belt and an 86-50 overall record. “We have great leadership and players who have continued to persevere working hard together in the weight room. Leadership has been a huge emphasis and the players have responded.”

The last time Brodhead-Juda trotted out onto the field was in 2019 in a Level 1 playoff loss at River Valley. Nineteen starters and letterwinners return from that squad.

“We return a lot of starters on both sides of the ball. Good speed at the skilled positions will be a plus,” Matthys said.

Cade Walker and Cole Hoesly are both back at quarterback, with each starting games in 2019. Walker was the main QB, playing in eight games and passing for 807 yards and 6 TDs. Hoesly played in four games and threw for just under 200 yards on 25 attempts.

Braden Cook and Gage Boegli will tote the ball on the ground. Cook had 312 yards and 4 scores on the ground a year ago, while Boegli finished with 118 yards on 32 carries. The will need to replace the production of twins Nick and Dalton Naramore, who combined for 1,384 yards and 18 touchdowns.

At wideout are Conner Green and Devon Anderson, while TE Brady Malkow and linemen Kaden Harper, Ben Knuth, Colton Buttke and CJ Kammholz are all back this season. Green led the team with 336 yards receiving on 18 catches. Malkow had 13 catches for 189 yards.

Defensively, Knuth, Malkow and Austin Moe are back on the line, while Ayden Vondra, Leon Saunders and Hoesly will be in the secondary. Buttke and Cook return at linebacker. Knuth was the team’s leading tackler with 74 total, including 18 tackles for loss. Boegli was second with 57 tackles.

“Defense is an area we need to improve — particularly getting off the field on third down. We took a big step last year, but too many third down conversions killed us,” Matthys said.

Brodhead-Juda has just six games on the schedule this spring, which means even less time to get up to speed and get rolling as a program.

“We will need to have a fast start and progress quickly. We have some very talented underclassmen that will be expected to grow and contribute as the season moves forward,” Matthys said.

Brodhead-Juda hosts Deerfield and Princeton in its first two weeks of the season, March 26 and April 2. The Cardinals will then travel back-to-back weeks to Poynette and New Glarus-Monticello, then return home for an April 23 matchup against Fennimore. The final game is slated for April 30 against Parkview-Albany.