Conley Publishing - Special Sections
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By Matt Cohen Freeman Staff WAUKESHA — Waukesha West, after losing in the WIAA Division 2 title game for the second year in a row, has a wave of fresh talent bat- tling for open roster spots. Coach Steve Rux is impressed with the competi- tion, work ethic and team- work his Wolverines have shown leading up to their opener against Watertown on Friday. "We have a lot of internal competition right now," Rux said. "Guys are trying to solidify their roles on the football team. "We have good chemistry and leadership within our program. I'm excited about the way they've worked through the course of the summer." With the amount of new starters that will be taking the field this fall, West's still in search of its identity. Rux has some options, but is ultimately still figuring it out. "We have a lot of players who haven't started for us or played varsity football, so I think whenever that takes place where you have a big senior class graduate, you have to find out what your identity is and really try to build on that," Rux said. "We're doing a lot of differ- ent things on the offensive side and a lot of different things on the defensive side. "Are we that team that's going to run the ball real physically and play action pass or are we going to be able to do some of the spread stuff that we've done over the last couple years? We're still sorting those things out." On the defensive side, the secondary graduated except for senior co-captain Tommy Leitner (6-foot-3, 185 pounds), who recorded 45 tackles and two interceptions a season ago. Rux is happy with how the defensive backs are improv- ing. The Wolverines also gradu- ated the two top tacklers in the conference last year, first team all-conference line- backer Sam Hietpas and hon- orable mention all-confer- ence linebacker Garrett Bartelt. Rux expects seniors Sam Henrichs (5-10, 215) and Ian Hanson (6-2, 200), as well as junior Christian Sheedy (6-3, 265), to pick up the tackles to help replace the key line- backers. Junior Peter MacCudden (5-10, 185) will slide to inside linebacker after recording 64 tackles at safety last year. MacCudden also rushed 72 times for 578 yards, and will continue to carry the ball this year, as well as, play slot receiver. "MacCudden has shown he's a great player over the past two years," Rux said. "Rarely we have freshman to start for us, and he was a real difference maker as a fresh- man. He's doing a great job." The position change won't be unfamiliar to MacCudden. After his freshman year, he moved from strong safety to free safety. The team will also have a new number behind center. Junior Robert Kobza (6-2, 210) is taking over the play-calling duties from first team all-con- ference selection Conor Blount, who threw for 1,577 yards and 20 touchdowns last year. "He's really done a great job and really grasping what we're trying to do so we're happy with him," Rux said. With or without changes, Rux will make sure his team and coaching staff take the process one notch at a time.. "I think our guys and the coaches have done a really great job with taking one step at a time and one week at a time," he said. "I think that's the best approach. "If we play great and all of a sudden we get toward the end of the season, we're for- tunate enough to win a sig- nificant amount of games in our conference and be play- ing for a conference champi- onship, that's great at that point. But right now, we just have to be the best team we can be and make sure when the regular season comes, we've won enough confer- ence games to extend our sea- son. "We play in the toughest conference in the state. It's a great challenge to play in the Classic 8." Email: mcohen@conleynet.com WAUKESHA WEST The FREEMAN & ENTERPRISE PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 • 5 ~ (:;,9(9+ 0-;(9+ when you visit any Waukesha State Bank and open a ;<+,5;/,*205.**6<5;ů 1 The $ 25 MasterCard gift card is limited to one account, and to one person only. This offer is non-transferable and is valid for new Waukesha State Bank Student Checking accounts only. This optional offer is not a MetaBank product or service nor does MetaBank endorse this offer. Must present this coupon at the time the account is opened to receive the gift card. Cannot be combined with any other offer or coupon. The minimum deposit to open and to obtain the gift card is $ 100. Gift card will be reported as interest on IRS Form 1099-INT. Account holder is responsible for any applicable taxes. MasterCard gift card is issued by MetaBank®, Member FDIC, pursuant to license by MasterCard International Incorporated. MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated. 2 For students under age 26. A parent or guardian is required as the joint account owner for students under age 18. Offer expires 12/31/2016. Promo Code: DDA25AD16 (262) 549-8500 www.WaukeshaBank.com Member FDIC 251278001 West has key losses on offense, defense Wolverines reload with new talent Waukesha West Coach: Steve Rux, 17th season 2015: 11-3 overall, 5-2 Classic 8 Key returning players: senior RB/LB Peter MacCudden, senior DB Tommy Leitner, junior OL Bryce Texeira Promising newcomers: junior QB Robert Kobza, junior OL/DL Christian Sheedy, senior DL Sam Henrichs, senior DL Ian Hanson Key graduation losses: QB Conor Blount, OL Sam Heckel, LB Sam Hietpas, LB Garrett Bartelt, RB Jair Scott, WR Nick Daniels, TE Zach Zimmer From Page 4 punting duties while fresh- man Austin Peters (5-7, 125) steps in as place-kicker. "We must stay healthy," Harris said of the upcoming season. "Even though we are two platoon this year, minus one or two players, we don't have much depth. If some- body goes down, we're going to be taking from other places. We have to stay healthy." First up on the schedule is Elkhorn at home Friday fol- lowed by a trip to Whitnall on Aug. 26. North will open Classic 8 Conference play at Arrow- head Sept. 2. Harris said Catholic Memorial is his preseason conference favorite. "We have to play smart and keep our heads in the game at all times," Harris said. "This team is talented enough to win in this confer- ence. I don't know what our record will be, but these 55 players are not afraid of any- one. We've prepared to win every single game." North 2016 Schedule (all games 7 p.m.) Aug. 19: Watertown Aug. 26: at Carmel, Ill. Sept. 1: at Muskego Sept. 9: Arrowhead Sept. 16: at Waukesha North Sept. 23: at Mukwonago Sept. 30: Catholic Memorial Oct. 7: at Kettle Moraine Oct. 14: Waukesha South Pat Neumuth/Freeman Staff Waukesha West junior Peter MacCudden will be in his third year on varsity and looks to play both sides of the ball.