RIPON - This year's Brodhead-Juda senior class is the winningest senior class in the playoffs in the history of the program.
"Ever since seventh and eighth grade, all we have wanted to do is put on the Brodhead-Juda colors and uphold that tradition," Brodhead-Juda senior running back Trenton Jordan said. "We wanted to keep that tradition alive."
The Cardinals did more than keep the tradition alive. On Saturday, as they hugged each other and took off their helmets and shoulder pads one last time after a 42-21 loss to Wrightstown in the WIAA Division 4 state semifinal, they may have been thinking what might have been. However, it's hard not to look at what they accomplished and not walk away impressed. They have set a high bar for future classes to meet and, despite losing the state semifinal, they were a class act.
Brodhead-Juda's senior class reached the state semifinals for the second straight year and amassed a 37-12 record in their four years, as well as a 9-3 mark in the playoffs.
They have been one of the best teams in Division 4 in the state the last two years.
"You never come into the state semifinals and think you are going to lose," Brodhead-Juda coach Jim Matthys said. "It's not all about winning or losing. It's about the relationships with the kids."
Last year the Cardinals lost to Big Foot in the regular season. Then they reeled off 10-straight wins, reaching the Division 4 state championship game where they lost 41-21 to Kewaunee. Their 2011 path was much the same.
After losing to Big Foot 27-10 in September, The Cardinals won nine-straight games and were on the brink of a return trip to Camp Randall Stadium this Saturday.
"There were a lot of similarities between this year and last year," Brodhead-Juda senior quarterback David Earleywine said. "It was a special year. We have played the most games in the playoffs. I'm so proud of the team and the underclassmen."
And it's the memories they made together that will last a lifetime and will be great discussions during five-, 10- and 20-year reunions.
"It means a lot that we were a part of something special in Brodhead," senior Jesse DeLorme said. "We are the winningest team in the history of Brodhead in the playoffs. Being able to say that, about this team, says something about the guys I played with."
- Mark Nesbitt is a sports reporter at the Monroe Times. You can contact him by e-mailing mnesbitt@themonroetimes.com
"Ever since seventh and eighth grade, all we have wanted to do is put on the Brodhead-Juda colors and uphold that tradition," Brodhead-Juda senior running back Trenton Jordan said. "We wanted to keep that tradition alive."
The Cardinals did more than keep the tradition alive. On Saturday, as they hugged each other and took off their helmets and shoulder pads one last time after a 42-21 loss to Wrightstown in the WIAA Division 4 state semifinal, they may have been thinking what might have been. However, it's hard not to look at what they accomplished and not walk away impressed. They have set a high bar for future classes to meet and, despite losing the state semifinal, they were a class act.
Brodhead-Juda's senior class reached the state semifinals for the second straight year and amassed a 37-12 record in their four years, as well as a 9-3 mark in the playoffs.
They have been one of the best teams in Division 4 in the state the last two years.
"You never come into the state semifinals and think you are going to lose," Brodhead-Juda coach Jim Matthys said. "It's not all about winning or losing. It's about the relationships with the kids."
Last year the Cardinals lost to Big Foot in the regular season. Then they reeled off 10-straight wins, reaching the Division 4 state championship game where they lost 41-21 to Kewaunee. Their 2011 path was much the same.
After losing to Big Foot 27-10 in September, The Cardinals won nine-straight games and were on the brink of a return trip to Camp Randall Stadium this Saturday.
"There were a lot of similarities between this year and last year," Brodhead-Juda senior quarterback David Earleywine said. "It was a special year. We have played the most games in the playoffs. I'm so proud of the team and the underclassmen."
And it's the memories they made together that will last a lifetime and will be great discussions during five-, 10- and 20-year reunions.
"It means a lot that we were a part of something special in Brodhead," senior Jesse DeLorme said. "We are the winningest team in the history of Brodhead in the playoffs. Being able to say that, about this team, says something about the guys I played with."
- Mark Nesbitt is a sports reporter at the Monroe Times. You can contact him by e-mailing mnesbitt@themonroetimes.com
