EVANSVILLE - After hitting his own teammates for two weeks, Monroe junior Ryan Hughes was excited to be back on the football field Friday - even if it was a scrimmage.
Three local teams, including Monroe, Evansville-Albany and New Glarus-Monticello, got a glimpse of how their teams may react in the season opener during the scrimmage. Sauk Prairie was also at the scrimmage, but Monroe had an agreement that they wouldn't scrimmage since they will play in the season opener.
"We have been ripping into each other the last two weeks to get to this point," Hughes said. "It feels good to be back."
Hughes, along with running backs Trent Wyssbrod and Kyle Olson, looked strong running the ball behind the Cheesemakers' offensive line. Hughes scored a 10-yard TD run against Evansville-Albany and quarterback Alex Barenklau displayed his scrambling ability, scoring a touchdown run. Barenklau also hooked up with Charlie Kind on a long pass.
"Our offensive line is tearing it up," Hughes said. "I love to see those big guys get out on the linebackers. I'm nothing without them. It gets me and the team going.
"We still have a lot to work on. We have to win that first game against Sauk. I feel like we have a good team and can do it."
Monroe coach Curt Miller also praised the offensive line.
"Our offensive line opened some big spaces," he said. "At this point in the season, we looked like we were starting to figure it out. We feel like we have one of the best offensive lines we have had in years."
New Glarus-Monticello ran two counters in a row and Patrick Elzen scored a touchdown on the second one against the Cheesemakers. Miller said it's early, but the Cheesemakers will get better at defending counters, reverses and misdirection plays the Knights beat them on.
"A scrimmage is a tune-up," Miller said. "We play and evaluate everyone. I was impressed by how New Glarus-Monticello moved the ball. I wish Desie Breadon good luck. I think he will have a good season."
Desie Breadon played football for Monroe in the 1990s and this is his first year as the head coach for the Knights. Breadon wanted to use the scrimmage as a dress rehearsal.
"The big thing is getting used to playing fast and physical," Breadon said. "We have to see who our best 11 is on offense and defense. We have to see which young guys step up."
Breadon is considering using a no-huddle offense at times this season along with some misdirection running plays and the option.
"We are known for our option, buck cuts and counters," Breadon said. "I feel like we have a lot of athletes we can put in different spots to make plays."
Monroe's defense looked stout against Evansville-Albany recording two sacks and turnovers including an acrobatic interception by Ryan Erickson in the end zone. Evansville-Albany's David Jenkins did have some success with his mid-range passing game.
Evansville-Albany coach Ron Grovesteen said the scrimmage is about getting experience for players and finding out who can contribute on the varsity.
"We are looking for consistency blocking and tackling," Grovesteen said. "We have a lot of young guys who need to grow up."
Albany junior Isaiah Shell is looking forward to the season. Shell didn't play football last year.
"I heard that Evansville has a good program," Shell said. "I wanted to try it and I like it so far."
Three local teams, including Monroe, Evansville-Albany and New Glarus-Monticello, got a glimpse of how their teams may react in the season opener during the scrimmage. Sauk Prairie was also at the scrimmage, but Monroe had an agreement that they wouldn't scrimmage since they will play in the season opener.
"We have been ripping into each other the last two weeks to get to this point," Hughes said. "It feels good to be back."
Hughes, along with running backs Trent Wyssbrod and Kyle Olson, looked strong running the ball behind the Cheesemakers' offensive line. Hughes scored a 10-yard TD run against Evansville-Albany and quarterback Alex Barenklau displayed his scrambling ability, scoring a touchdown run. Barenklau also hooked up with Charlie Kind on a long pass.
"Our offensive line is tearing it up," Hughes said. "I love to see those big guys get out on the linebackers. I'm nothing without them. It gets me and the team going.
"We still have a lot to work on. We have to win that first game against Sauk. I feel like we have a good team and can do it."
Monroe coach Curt Miller also praised the offensive line.
"Our offensive line opened some big spaces," he said. "At this point in the season, we looked like we were starting to figure it out. We feel like we have one of the best offensive lines we have had in years."
New Glarus-Monticello ran two counters in a row and Patrick Elzen scored a touchdown on the second one against the Cheesemakers. Miller said it's early, but the Cheesemakers will get better at defending counters, reverses and misdirection plays the Knights beat them on.
"A scrimmage is a tune-up," Miller said. "We play and evaluate everyone. I was impressed by how New Glarus-Monticello moved the ball. I wish Desie Breadon good luck. I think he will have a good season."
Desie Breadon played football for Monroe in the 1990s and this is his first year as the head coach for the Knights. Breadon wanted to use the scrimmage as a dress rehearsal.
"The big thing is getting used to playing fast and physical," Breadon said. "We have to see who our best 11 is on offense and defense. We have to see which young guys step up."
Breadon is considering using a no-huddle offense at times this season along with some misdirection running plays and the option.
"We are known for our option, buck cuts and counters," Breadon said. "I feel like we have a lot of athletes we can put in different spots to make plays."
Monroe's defense looked stout against Evansville-Albany recording two sacks and turnovers including an acrobatic interception by Ryan Erickson in the end zone. Evansville-Albany's David Jenkins did have some success with his mid-range passing game.
Evansville-Albany coach Ron Grovesteen said the scrimmage is about getting experience for players and finding out who can contribute on the varsity.
"We are looking for consistency blocking and tackling," Grovesteen said. "We have a lot of young guys who need to grow up."
Albany junior Isaiah Shell is looking forward to the season. Shell didn't play football last year.
"I heard that Evansville has a good program," Shell said. "I wanted to try it and I like it so far."
