MONROE - If given the choice of throwing a game-winning touchdown pass or coming up with a game-winning interception return for a touchdown, Monroe senior Brayden Zettle didn't hesitate to answer.
"The interception return for a touchdown," Zettle said. "Defense wins championships."
Zettle knows something about winning. He was the starting safety on last year's Monroe team that went unbeaten in the regular season and won the Badger South Conference. It was the Cheesemakers' first conference championship in football since 1998. Zettle also won regional titles in the long jump and triple jump and placed fifth in the triple jump at the WIAA Division 2 state track and field meet last spring.
Zettle will have dual roles this year on the gridiron. In addition to starting at safety, he will also serve as a quarterback for the Cheesemakers in combination with junior Anthony Hernandez.
"We have a lot of talent and a lot of big shoes to fill," Zettle said. "Getting back on the top in conference is definitely our main goal."
While some teams cringe at the notion of playing two quarterbacks and shuffling them in and out, Monroe coach Toby Golembiewski sees it as a blessing since he has two athletic players who can make it tough on defenses with their ability to scramble and pass.
"Some people think that (playing two quarterbacks) is a burden," Golembiewski said. "I think it's an advantage. I think you want to be at your best regardless of who is in there. If one guy gets hurt we have a backup who is a starter."
Golembiewski is confident that Zettle has the traits to excel at quarterback after playing wide receiver last season in addition to safety.
"He's a confident player," Golembiewski said of Zettle. "He has great athletic skills. We are looking for a guy who can throw it and run it."
Having a dual threat at quarterback can make it more challenging on defenses. The Cheesemakers' high-powered offense averaged 33.6 points per game and 343 rushing yards per game last year. Time will tell if the offense will be as potent this year but having the luxury of a mobile and elusive quarterback or two could pay dividends.
"He has great speed," Golembiewski said of Zettle. "When you watch him play basketball you can see that when he's fast-breaking, running and jumping."
Zettle sees other advantages that could come from the two-quarterback system.
"I think it will be good for us," Zettle said. "Right now we are both starters on defense. It will help give us a break so we are fresh."
Having played wide receiver in the past, Zettle is looking forward to his shot at quarterback.
"I think I can lead this team," he said. "I think my knowledge of the offense will help. We will have to be able to run the option out of the wing-T. I have played wide receiver so I can see what they are saying about routes so I can put the ball in a spot where they can go up and get it."
However, Zettle can't just worry about his duties and role as a quarterback.
"It's definitely a big change," he said of playing quarterback. "You really have to be a lot more knowledgeable about the offense. You have to know where everyone is at."
The Cheesemakers had three running backs eclipse 1,000 rushing yards last year led by fullback Isaac Allen who led the team with more than 1,300 rushing yards.
Golembiewski said it was not by design to have the fullback lead the team in rushing yards and scoring.
Zettle said one advantage of using the wing-T offense is spreading out the touches between three backs, a quarterback and wide receivers.
"I don't have to handle it all," he said. "I have three running backs behind me who can carry the load. It's not just one guy getting the ball all the time. It makes it a lot harder to scout us because there is just not one guy getting the ball."
Zettle is one of six starters back on defense. He plays like a center fielder on defense. He racked up 55 tackles and had four interceptions last year.
"He's a really good hitter," Golembiewski said.
The Cheesemakers gave up 13.3 points per game last year and forced an average of two turnovers per game.
"I think on defense we have a lot of talented guys back like Travis Wolf, Mitch Bartelt and Tyson Welsch," Zettle said.
"The interception return for a touchdown," Zettle said. "Defense wins championships."
Zettle knows something about winning. He was the starting safety on last year's Monroe team that went unbeaten in the regular season and won the Badger South Conference. It was the Cheesemakers' first conference championship in football since 1998. Zettle also won regional titles in the long jump and triple jump and placed fifth in the triple jump at the WIAA Division 2 state track and field meet last spring.
Zettle will have dual roles this year on the gridiron. In addition to starting at safety, he will also serve as a quarterback for the Cheesemakers in combination with junior Anthony Hernandez.
"We have a lot of talent and a lot of big shoes to fill," Zettle said. "Getting back on the top in conference is definitely our main goal."
While some teams cringe at the notion of playing two quarterbacks and shuffling them in and out, Monroe coach Toby Golembiewski sees it as a blessing since he has two athletic players who can make it tough on defenses with their ability to scramble and pass.
"Some people think that (playing two quarterbacks) is a burden," Golembiewski said. "I think it's an advantage. I think you want to be at your best regardless of who is in there. If one guy gets hurt we have a backup who is a starter."
Golembiewski is confident that Zettle has the traits to excel at quarterback after playing wide receiver last season in addition to safety.
"He's a confident player," Golembiewski said of Zettle. "He has great athletic skills. We are looking for a guy who can throw it and run it."
Having a dual threat at quarterback can make it more challenging on defenses. The Cheesemakers' high-powered offense averaged 33.6 points per game and 343 rushing yards per game last year. Time will tell if the offense will be as potent this year but having the luxury of a mobile and elusive quarterback or two could pay dividends.
"He has great speed," Golembiewski said of Zettle. "When you watch him play basketball you can see that when he's fast-breaking, running and jumping."
Zettle sees other advantages that could come from the two-quarterback system.
"I think it will be good for us," Zettle said. "Right now we are both starters on defense. It will help give us a break so we are fresh."
Having played wide receiver in the past, Zettle is looking forward to his shot at quarterback.
"I think I can lead this team," he said. "I think my knowledge of the offense will help. We will have to be able to run the option out of the wing-T. I have played wide receiver so I can see what they are saying about routes so I can put the ball in a spot where they can go up and get it."
However, Zettle can't just worry about his duties and role as a quarterback.
"It's definitely a big change," he said of playing quarterback. "You really have to be a lot more knowledgeable about the offense. You have to know where everyone is at."
The Cheesemakers had three running backs eclipse 1,000 rushing yards last year led by fullback Isaac Allen who led the team with more than 1,300 rushing yards.
Golembiewski said it was not by design to have the fullback lead the team in rushing yards and scoring.
Zettle said one advantage of using the wing-T offense is spreading out the touches between three backs, a quarterback and wide receivers.
"I don't have to handle it all," he said. "I have three running backs behind me who can carry the load. It's not just one guy getting the ball all the time. It makes it a lot harder to scout us because there is just not one guy getting the ball."
Zettle is one of six starters back on defense. He plays like a center fielder on defense. He racked up 55 tackles and had four interceptions last year.
"He's a really good hitter," Golembiewski said.
The Cheesemakers gave up 13.3 points per game last year and forced an average of two turnovers per game.
"I think on defense we have a lot of talented guys back like Travis Wolf, Mitch Bartelt and Tyson Welsch," Zettle said.
