Season opener
Portage at Monroe
7 p.m. Friday
at T.R. Holyoke Field
LAST MEETING: Monroe defeated Portage 47-7 in season opener last year.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Monroe - QB Tyler Elmer, RB Cole Murray, WR Alex Tordoff, DT Dylan Beaver, DE Isaac Allen, DE Hayden Arneson; Portage - QB Trent Belleau, WR Nolan Paul, WR Grant Garrigan
MONROE - The season opener for the Monroe High School football team against Portage will feature three senior players who have been nominated for some of the state's top postseason awards.
Both Monroe senior quarterback Tyler Elmer and Portage's Trent Belleau are on the Dave Krieg preseason award watch list for the state's top senior quarterback. Monroe's Cole Murray is one of 70 running backs on the Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch preseason award watch list for the state's top senior running back.
With long practices in the rearview mirror, new Monroe coach Toby Golembiewski can't wait to kick off the season.
"I think practice has been going on for what seems like forever," Golembiewski said. "We are so ready for a game team-wise. The excitement is unbelievable knowing that we have a pretty talented team."
The Cheesemakers have owned Portage the past two years, knocking off the Warriors 47-7 in the season opener last year and 41-12 in 2014. In fact, the Cheesemakers have won the past five games they have played against the Warriors. Portage finished 1-8 last year, and the Warriors are 6-66 the past eight years with four winless seasons in that span.
Golembiewski said he doesn't care what history indicates or what the last meeting showed. He watched game film on the Warriors from their scrimmage against Stoughton, Tomah and Beloit Memorial and came away impressed.
"They look like they have pretty good skill guys at quarterback and wide receiver," he said. "He (Belleau) throws a pretty good ball."
Belleau passed for 1,256 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in Portage's split-back veer offense last season. However, he completed just 49 percent of his passes as the Warriors played from behind a lot.
"The most successful play they ran in the scrimmage was a double out route," Golembiewski said. "I think if we can put some pressure on him in passing situations we can disrupt that and take away that play. If everyone plays fundamentally sound in run fits and we watch for option, counter and reverse we should match up well."
Portage runs a 3-3 stack defense that relies on stunting to pressure opposing offenses.
"It's a defense that is meant to confuse offenses," Golembiewski said. "Any time you take those risks defensively you know you will get lucky sometimes. There will be some plays where they are not as lucky. I think the risk-reward with a stunting defense is in the offense's favor."
Expect the Cheesemakers to attack the Warriors' defense by pounding the ball with three running backs.
With the Cheesemakers' new wing-t offense, Golembiewski is putting an emphasis on generating big running plays from all three running backs and Elmer at quarterback.
"It creates more dimensions for the defense to be aware of," he said.
Golembiewski is expecting solid production from special teams. Monroe will count on Murray, Jake Kind and Sam Kind as returners. Junior Dempzy Foley and sophomore Anthany Hernandez, who both played socceer last year, will share kicking duties.
"They both have explosive legs," Golembiewski said. "We are hoping we can not only win the offensive and defensive battle, but the special teams battle, too."
Both Monroe senior quarterback Tyler Elmer and Portage's Trent Belleau are on the Dave Krieg preseason award watch list for the state's top senior quarterback. Monroe's Cole Murray is one of 70 running backs on the Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch preseason award watch list for the state's top senior running back.
With long practices in the rearview mirror, new Monroe coach Toby Golembiewski can't wait to kick off the season.
"I think practice has been going on for what seems like forever," Golembiewski said. "We are so ready for a game team-wise. The excitement is unbelievable knowing that we have a pretty talented team."
The Cheesemakers have owned Portage the past two years, knocking off the Warriors 47-7 in the season opener last year and 41-12 in 2014. In fact, the Cheesemakers have won the past five games they have played against the Warriors. Portage finished 1-8 last year, and the Warriors are 6-66 the past eight years with four winless seasons in that span.
Golembiewski said he doesn't care what history indicates or what the last meeting showed. He watched game film on the Warriors from their scrimmage against Stoughton, Tomah and Beloit Memorial and came away impressed.
"They look like they have pretty good skill guys at quarterback and wide receiver," he said. "He (Belleau) throws a pretty good ball."
Belleau passed for 1,256 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in Portage's split-back veer offense last season. However, he completed just 49 percent of his passes as the Warriors played from behind a lot.
"The most successful play they ran in the scrimmage was a double out route," Golembiewski said. "I think if we can put some pressure on him in passing situations we can disrupt that and take away that play. If everyone plays fundamentally sound in run fits and we watch for option, counter and reverse we should match up well."
Portage runs a 3-3 stack defense that relies on stunting to pressure opposing offenses.
"It's a defense that is meant to confuse offenses," Golembiewski said. "Any time you take those risks defensively you know you will get lucky sometimes. There will be some plays where they are not as lucky. I think the risk-reward with a stunting defense is in the offense's favor."
Expect the Cheesemakers to attack the Warriors' defense by pounding the ball with three running backs.
With the Cheesemakers' new wing-t offense, Golembiewski is putting an emphasis on generating big running plays from all three running backs and Elmer at quarterback.
"It creates more dimensions for the defense to be aware of," he said.
Golembiewski is expecting solid production from special teams. Monroe will count on Murray, Jake Kind and Sam Kind as returners. Junior Dempzy Foley and sophomore Anthany Hernandez, who both played socceer last year, will share kicking duties.
"They both have explosive legs," Golembiewski said. "We are hoping we can not only win the offensive and defensive battle, but the special teams battle, too."
