MONROE - On Friday, Monroe will play in its biggest regular season football game in more than 20 years as the unbeaten Cheesemakers take on Monona Grove.
Before the season kicked off, no coach in the conference predicted Monroe (3-0, 1-0 Badger South) to be a contender for a Badger South Conference championship. The last time the Cheesemakers had a winning season came in 2003 and it's been more than 15 years since Monroe has won a conference title in football.
After Monroe defeated Madison Edgewood 49-14 last week, its first time beating the Crusaders since 2004, the Cheesemakers have another golden opportunity to play their way into the conference-title hunt. Monroe hosts Monona Grove (2-1, 1-0), ranked No. 6 in the WisSports.net Division 6 Coaches poll, Friday in a Badger South clash.
"As far as preseason polls and projections, there was no reason for Monroe to be picked as a top contender," Monroe coach Toby Golembiewski said of the Badger South Conference. "There was some doubt about whether some of these guys would develop and grow. It's not something you take into your locker room."
Last year with running back Toren Young, a University of Iowa recruit, the Cheesemakers almost pulled off an upset before losing to the Silver Eagles 10-6.
"A win or a loss doesn't necessarily change a projection," Golembiewski said. "You could come away with three or four injuries and that could affect other games coming up. I just try to get everyone to focus on the week at hand."
Focus should not be a problem for the Cheesemakers. Monona Grove has won the conference title outright or shared it seven straight years.
"I think it will be huge," Golembiewski said. "I'm sure they will bring a lot of fans because of their predicted success. I think there is a lot of energy in town about our start. Both schools should have big student sections. If you want to get a good seat, you better get there early."
Last year, the Silver Eagles' offense revolved around Young at running back. Monona Grove quarterback Alec Ogden, who has passed for 616 yards with six touchdowns, is now the leader of a Silver Eagles' spread offense that is averaging 25.3 points per game. He is completing 61 percent of his passes and hasn't thrown an interception yet.
Ogden and the Silver Eagles will test the Cheesemakers' coverages and pass defense similar to the way Portage did in the opener. However, there are several big differences.
"The whole team is very athletic," Golembiewski said of Monona Grove. "Their team speed is very good. It looks like they sacrifice size in some areas to place better athletes on the field."
The leading receivers for the Silver Eagles this season are Andry Nahirniak who has 14 receptions for 292 yards and two touchdowns and Kyle Capouch (13 catches for 116 yards and one touchdown). The Silver Eagles are coming off a 42-14 win over Milton last week. The only loss for Monona Grove came in a non-conference game against Waunakee.
The Cheesemakers have proven they have several explosive running backs they can count on in a prolific running game with three averaging near 100 yards per game. Monroe senior Jacob Kind is third in the Badger South Conference in rushing yards with 357 and has scored five touchdowns. Senior fullback and teammate Isaac Allen has racked up 345 rushing yards with six touchdowns on the ground and has caught two touchdowns. And fellow senior running back Cole Murray (281 rushing yards and three TDs) also is averaging 93 rushing yards per game.
"It's part of the philosophy of this offense," Golembiewski said of the Cheesemakers' Wing-T offense that features a running back, wing back and fullback and Elmer at quarterback as running threats.
As the competition stiffens, the Cheesemakers may need to rely more on their passing game.
"I would love to throw the ball every down and we have prepared to do that if we have to," Golembiewski said. "My offensive line tells me they want to run the ball."
Who is Golembiewski to argue with an offensive line that averages 245 pounds? No coach can argue with the results with the Cheesemakers averaging 43 points and 330 rushing yards per game.
"If you watch the film there are still plays where not all 11 guys are doing the right thing," Golembiewski said. "There is always room to self improve. If we can clean up some of those issues, get stronger and stay healthy, we can keep getting better from here."
Before the season kicked off, no coach in the conference predicted Monroe (3-0, 1-0 Badger South) to be a contender for a Badger South Conference championship. The last time the Cheesemakers had a winning season came in 2003 and it's been more than 15 years since Monroe has won a conference title in football.
After Monroe defeated Madison Edgewood 49-14 last week, its first time beating the Crusaders since 2004, the Cheesemakers have another golden opportunity to play their way into the conference-title hunt. Monroe hosts Monona Grove (2-1, 1-0), ranked No. 6 in the WisSports.net Division 6 Coaches poll, Friday in a Badger South clash.
"As far as preseason polls and projections, there was no reason for Monroe to be picked as a top contender," Monroe coach Toby Golembiewski said of the Badger South Conference. "There was some doubt about whether some of these guys would develop and grow. It's not something you take into your locker room."
Last year with running back Toren Young, a University of Iowa recruit, the Cheesemakers almost pulled off an upset before losing to the Silver Eagles 10-6.
"A win or a loss doesn't necessarily change a projection," Golembiewski said. "You could come away with three or four injuries and that could affect other games coming up. I just try to get everyone to focus on the week at hand."
Focus should not be a problem for the Cheesemakers. Monona Grove has won the conference title outright or shared it seven straight years.
"I think it will be huge," Golembiewski said. "I'm sure they will bring a lot of fans because of their predicted success. I think there is a lot of energy in town about our start. Both schools should have big student sections. If you want to get a good seat, you better get there early."
Last year, the Silver Eagles' offense revolved around Young at running back. Monona Grove quarterback Alec Ogden, who has passed for 616 yards with six touchdowns, is now the leader of a Silver Eagles' spread offense that is averaging 25.3 points per game. He is completing 61 percent of his passes and hasn't thrown an interception yet.
Ogden and the Silver Eagles will test the Cheesemakers' coverages and pass defense similar to the way Portage did in the opener. However, there are several big differences.
"The whole team is very athletic," Golembiewski said of Monona Grove. "Their team speed is very good. It looks like they sacrifice size in some areas to place better athletes on the field."
The leading receivers for the Silver Eagles this season are Andry Nahirniak who has 14 receptions for 292 yards and two touchdowns and Kyle Capouch (13 catches for 116 yards and one touchdown). The Silver Eagles are coming off a 42-14 win over Milton last week. The only loss for Monona Grove came in a non-conference game against Waunakee.
The Cheesemakers have proven they have several explosive running backs they can count on in a prolific running game with three averaging near 100 yards per game. Monroe senior Jacob Kind is third in the Badger South Conference in rushing yards with 357 and has scored five touchdowns. Senior fullback and teammate Isaac Allen has racked up 345 rushing yards with six touchdowns on the ground and has caught two touchdowns. And fellow senior running back Cole Murray (281 rushing yards and three TDs) also is averaging 93 rushing yards per game.
"It's part of the philosophy of this offense," Golembiewski said of the Cheesemakers' Wing-T offense that features a running back, wing back and fullback and Elmer at quarterback as running threats.
As the competition stiffens, the Cheesemakers may need to rely more on their passing game.
"I would love to throw the ball every down and we have prepared to do that if we have to," Golembiewski said. "My offensive line tells me they want to run the ball."
Who is Golembiewski to argue with an offensive line that averages 245 pounds? No coach can argue with the results with the Cheesemakers averaging 43 points and 330 rushing yards per game.
"If you watch the film there are still plays where not all 11 guys are doing the right thing," Golembiewski said. "There is always room to self improve. If we can clean up some of those issues, get stronger and stay healthy, we can keep getting better from here."
