MONROE - The Monroe football team's push for the playoffs begins Friday with a Badger South Conference clash at Fort Atkinson.
The Cheesemakers (2-4, 1-3 Badger South) will have to win their final three games to become playoff eligible. Monroe is getting healthier after being hit hard by injuries this season. The Cheesemakers will get senior middle linebacker and running back Sam Kind back after he missed last week's game against Monona Grove due to a concussion. Senior defensive tackle Tyson Welsch (knee) also is expected to return.
"We have been worse off than the Green Bay Packers," Monroe coach Toby Golembiewski said of the injuries. "It will be a big boost to get a kid as tough as him (Kind) back. He's really made some big plays at big times."
Golembiewski is confident the Cheesemakers can win out.
"I really think we can run the table," Golembiewski said. "I really think we have a chance even without all of our guys. It will be a lot better and easier if we have all of our guys. Just because it's not MG doesn't mean it will be a walk in the park."
It starts Friday when Monroe plays at Fort Atkinson. The Blackhawks run a shotgun-type double tight and spread offense at times and are averaging 26 points per game. The focal point of Fort Atkinson's offense is senior running back Draven Sigmund, who has rushed for 805 yards and five touchdowns this year. Sigmund is averaging 134.2 rushing yards per game and 6.1 yards per carry.
"He's a pretty good back, but he was behind (Preston) Strasburg last year," Golembiewski said of Sigmund. "They are able to grind it out. He's got 800 rushing yards because he's the only one other than the quarterback who runs the ball."
Fort Atkinson quarterback Connor O'Brien has passed for 926 yards with nine touchdowns and four interceptions this year. O'Brien is completing 58.3 percent of his passes. He also has proven to be a dual-threat running the ball with 248 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
The top two wide receivers for the Blackhawks are senior Nathan Schultz, who has 29 receptions for 421 yards with five touchdowns, and senior Tyler Moulton (18 catches for 313 yards and 2 TDs).
The Cheesemakers played without four starters on defense and five on offense in a 42-0 loss to Monona Grove last week. Having Kind back at middle linebacker (46 tackles) and with the expected return of Welsch at defensive tackle, the Cheesemakers' defense will get a boost after giving up 431 total yards to the Silver Eagles.
"Tyson Welsch is listed as probable," Golembiewski said. "He's been running, but he hasn't had contact. He hasn't been pushed on when he's playing."
Other key playmakers on defense for the Cheesemakers are senior defensive end Dempzy Foley (40.5 tackles and 1.5 sacks), junior linebacker Jacob Amacher (35 tackles, two sacks) and senior linebacker Mitch Bartelt (31.5 tackles). Sophomore Nick Bansley leads the team with three interceptions.
On offense, Monroe junior fullback Ethan Kleckler got his first start against the Silver Eagles last week and rushed for 68 yards on 17 carries. The Cheesemakers are averaging just 12.3 points per game.
"Dempzy Foley had a hand injury and it was hot so we only wanted to play him one way," Golembiewski said. "He (Kleckler) will have to contribute. We like to mix it up back there."
With several players starting or seeing significant time on defense, the Cheesemakers will continue a rotation at running back with junior Jordan Montgomery, Kind, Bansley and junior Anthany Hernandez.
"Everyone will get their shot and if someone gets on a roll we will go with them," he said.
Foley leads the team with 259 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Montgomery has rushed for 247 yards and Bansley has 245 total yards and two touchdowns this season.
The Cheesemakers have struggled to sustain consistent drives in games due to missed blocking assignments and turnovers, though Golembiewski commended Montgomery on his blocking.
"He's been our best blocker," he said of Montgomery. "With three backs back there you are blocking two-thirds of the time. We really have to amp up some of our production not only running, but blocking."
Golembiewski said with injuries and young players in new positions there has been a learning curve.
"It's not about what the other team is doing, it's about what we as Monroe do," Golembiewski said. "We have to clean up the mistakes we are making. We can have that breakout game."
Golembiewski also commended sophomore quarterback Alex Witt, who has passed for 66 yards in three games with a touchdown run.
"We think he has done a great job as a sophomore coming in," Golembiewski said of Witt. "There has been some problems with our protection at times. He's done a good job throwing the ball when he has time. We have had some drops, but we are making progress."
The Cheesemakers (2-4, 1-3 Badger South) will have to win their final three games to become playoff eligible. Monroe is getting healthier after being hit hard by injuries this season. The Cheesemakers will get senior middle linebacker and running back Sam Kind back after he missed last week's game against Monona Grove due to a concussion. Senior defensive tackle Tyson Welsch (knee) also is expected to return.
"We have been worse off than the Green Bay Packers," Monroe coach Toby Golembiewski said of the injuries. "It will be a big boost to get a kid as tough as him (Kind) back. He's really made some big plays at big times."
Golembiewski is confident the Cheesemakers can win out.
"I really think we can run the table," Golembiewski said. "I really think we have a chance even without all of our guys. It will be a lot better and easier if we have all of our guys. Just because it's not MG doesn't mean it will be a walk in the park."
It starts Friday when Monroe plays at Fort Atkinson. The Blackhawks run a shotgun-type double tight and spread offense at times and are averaging 26 points per game. The focal point of Fort Atkinson's offense is senior running back Draven Sigmund, who has rushed for 805 yards and five touchdowns this year. Sigmund is averaging 134.2 rushing yards per game and 6.1 yards per carry.
"He's a pretty good back, but he was behind (Preston) Strasburg last year," Golembiewski said of Sigmund. "They are able to grind it out. He's got 800 rushing yards because he's the only one other than the quarterback who runs the ball."
Fort Atkinson quarterback Connor O'Brien has passed for 926 yards with nine touchdowns and four interceptions this year. O'Brien is completing 58.3 percent of his passes. He also has proven to be a dual-threat running the ball with 248 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
The top two wide receivers for the Blackhawks are senior Nathan Schultz, who has 29 receptions for 421 yards with five touchdowns, and senior Tyler Moulton (18 catches for 313 yards and 2 TDs).
The Cheesemakers played without four starters on defense and five on offense in a 42-0 loss to Monona Grove last week. Having Kind back at middle linebacker (46 tackles) and with the expected return of Welsch at defensive tackle, the Cheesemakers' defense will get a boost after giving up 431 total yards to the Silver Eagles.
"Tyson Welsch is listed as probable," Golembiewski said. "He's been running, but he hasn't had contact. He hasn't been pushed on when he's playing."
Other key playmakers on defense for the Cheesemakers are senior defensive end Dempzy Foley (40.5 tackles and 1.5 sacks), junior linebacker Jacob Amacher (35 tackles, two sacks) and senior linebacker Mitch Bartelt (31.5 tackles). Sophomore Nick Bansley leads the team with three interceptions.
On offense, Monroe junior fullback Ethan Kleckler got his first start against the Silver Eagles last week and rushed for 68 yards on 17 carries. The Cheesemakers are averaging just 12.3 points per game.
"Dempzy Foley had a hand injury and it was hot so we only wanted to play him one way," Golembiewski said. "He (Kleckler) will have to contribute. We like to mix it up back there."
With several players starting or seeing significant time on defense, the Cheesemakers will continue a rotation at running back with junior Jordan Montgomery, Kind, Bansley and junior Anthany Hernandez.
"Everyone will get their shot and if someone gets on a roll we will go with them," he said.
Foley leads the team with 259 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Montgomery has rushed for 247 yards and Bansley has 245 total yards and two touchdowns this season.
The Cheesemakers have struggled to sustain consistent drives in games due to missed blocking assignments and turnovers, though Golembiewski commended Montgomery on his blocking.
"He's been our best blocker," he said of Montgomery. "With three backs back there you are blocking two-thirds of the time. We really have to amp up some of our production not only running, but blocking."
Golembiewski said with injuries and young players in new positions there has been a learning curve.
"It's not about what the other team is doing, it's about what we as Monroe do," Golembiewski said. "We have to clean up the mistakes we are making. We can have that breakout game."
Golembiewski also commended sophomore quarterback Alex Witt, who has passed for 66 yards in three games with a touchdown run.
"We think he has done a great job as a sophomore coming in," Golembiewski said of Witt. "There has been some problems with our protection at times. He's done a good job throwing the ball when he has time. We have had some drops, but we are making progress."
