MONROE — In a short alternate fall season this spring, the Cheesemakers looked like gangbusters of the Rock Valley for five weeks. However, the spring schedule was missing out on two conference opponents, two nonconference opponents, and anything that resembled a postseason.

Some of Monroe’s top players from a year ago graduated, like longtime starting quarterback Max Golembiewski and all-conference running backs Trevor Rodebaugh and Tyler Matley, both of whom averaged over 100 yards per game last year. Not to mention all-conference two-way lineman Caleb Bunker and all-conference DB Preston Ambrose.

The coaching staff is settling in on its quarterback depth chart, and running back Keatin Sweeney is expected to take a stronger portion of the carries on offense and improve on his 74.8 yards per game average last spring. Throw in returning letter winners Chase Stoerp and Aaron Roidt, and the Cheesemakers have a solid foundation.

“We expect to compete each week; compete for playoff qualification; and compete for a conference title,” said head coach Toby Golembiewski, entering his sixth year in charge of the program.

One name not mentioned so far is star wideout and defensive end JT Seagreaves. The 6-foot, 6-inch, 225-pound senior made headlines this past summer when he verbally committed to play for the Wisconsin Badgers in 2022 as a tight end. Seagreaves is one of the state’s top sprinters and high jumpers in track and field, and his athleticism continues on the basketball court and on the gridiron.

In the short spring season he and Bunker terrorized opposing offensive lines and quarterbacks with their overpowering strength, size and speed. On offense, Seagreaves was a deep threat on every play. Used simply as a decoy, Seagreaves can take two or more defenders with him on a play, helping the offense open up even more for the running backs.

This year, Seagreaves has started lining up inside in practice. He’s learning the trade of interior blocking and carrying the ball when called upon. Given his speed, should he get to the second level it will be hard for many defenses to bring him down.

The Cheesemakers also return a solid offensive line, with Jaden Clark, Issac Derrickson, Liam Hermanson, Isaac Bunker and Ryan Holst. There are a few hungry underclassmen in competition for playing time. At fullback, burly runner Alex Hernandez is looking to replace Rodebaugh.

“We return a great defense,” coach Golembiewski said, adding that a challenge in the fall camp is getting players learning new positions up to speed.

Tucker Markham finished tied for the team lead in total tackles in the spring as a sophomore. Seagreaves, Derrickson, Clark and Hermanson all finished in the top-7 on the team in tackles. Roidt, Stoerp and Henry Brukwicki all made plays in the secondary, and Charlie Wiegel showed he has a high ceiling.

The 2020 Rock Valley was split due to some teams playing the fall, and others in the Alternative Fall (spring) season. Edgewood played a fall season, going 5-3, beating former Badger Conference foes Watertown, Portage, Reedsburg and Sauk Prairie, while losing to Lakeside Lutheran, University School and Baraboo. The Crusaders also edged Wisconsin Lutheran by a single point in mid-October.

Edgerton played in the Rock-Small in the Alternative Fall season, finishing 3-2. Monroe won the Rock-Big at 5-0, with Jefferson (4-1), Evansville (3-2) and East Troy (2-3) all seeing some success, with McFarland (1-4) and Whitewater (0-5) struggling out of the gate.

Two years ago, before the WIAA’s statewide realignment for football, Evansville and Edgerton went 9-2 in the Rock Valley, with Jefferson, McFarland and East Troy making the postseason. 

Golembiewski sees Evansville, Jefferson and McFarland as the toughest matchups this season, though the continued Badger South rivalry with Madison Edgewood should make for an interesting matchup.

The Cheesemakers open the season at home Aug. 20 with former Badger North foe Sauk Prairie. The following week Monroe travels to Mount Horeb for it’s second nonconference game on the slate. Then the battle for the Rock begins, with a home game against Whitewater in Week 3. Other home games include Edgerton in Week 5, Evansville in Week 7 and McFarland in Week 8. Monroe will travel to Jefferson in Week 4, East Troy in Week 6 and will play Edgewood at Middleton High School in Week 9.

All Monroe School District students, as well as those 4-and-under will be able to attend games free of charge this season. Monroe home games will be streamed on the school district’s YouTube page. Away games, if streamed, are controlled by the host school.