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From Page 7 front seven or eight. That's our strength because so many of those kids are back. I feel real lucky to inherit these guys on defense. "Our team speed defensively is something special. I think that's going to be our biggest advantage. We really run well." The Warhawks' biggest change will be seen on offense. Gone will be the no-huddle, spread offense that for- mer coach Greg Malling ran. Rauch did say, however, that not everything is new offensively. "I think we're going to do some things that look familiar and we'll do some things that are different from what Arrowhead has done in the past," Rauch said. "Obviously there is going to be a change from the pre- vious five years because Coach Malling is gone." Arrowhead averaged 31.5 points per game last year, but lost three-year starting quarterback Johnny Duran- so and all-state lineman Ben Bredes- on to graduation. Also gone are lead- ing rusher Nick Bastien and the top three receivers. "It's not like the cupboard is empty offensively," Rauch said. "I think our offense has the opportunity and potential to be special." Junior center DJ Dean (6-1, 280) is back after being named first team all- conference last season, as is senior guard Andy Biwer (6-2, 265). Seniors Drew Shrader (6-1, 245) and Jared St. Arnauld (6-5, 245) also saw time on the line last year. Seniors Jack Schae- fer (6-1, 230), Alex Nannetti (6-1, 245) and Aaron Custer (6-7, 330) are mak- ing a push to be starters on the line. Senior Carson Myers (5-8, 165) leads a running back committee that also includes senior Spencer Papan- drea (5-7, 175) and junior Zachary Hastings (5-9, 185). Myers rushed for 467 yards and five touchdowns last year. The biggest question mark on offense is who will start at quarter- back. Juniors Jeff Holtz (6-4, 190) and Henry Case (5-11, 160) are the top two candidates to be the starting signal caller. "Quarterback is the great unknown," Rauch said. "I'm really looking to see how that competition plays out. We're going to put the best players on the field as much as possi- ble." Arrowhead went 56-9 overall the past five years under Malling. Rauch doesn't expect much of a drop-off. "I think No. 1, there is a tradition of excellence at Arrowhead that is sec- ond to nearly none in the state," Rauch said. "Potential is both a tremendous opportunity and a tremendous burden. In my observa- tion, we have the potential to be a tremendous football team." Arrowhead MUKWONAGO The FREEMAN & ENTERPRISE 8 • PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 251278002 By Jeff Hagenau Freeman Correspondent MUKWONAGO — Tough, hard- nosed football. The Mukwonago football pro- gram has built a long-lasting repu- tation on that straight-ahead, no- nonsense approach to the game and plans to re-establish itself as a viable title contender. Coming off a rare year of nar- rowly missing the playoffs, finish- ing 4-5 overall and 3-4 in the Clas- sic 8, the Indians have high expec- tations entering the new campaign and aim to work back into the upper echelon of the highly com- petitive Classic 8. Mukwonago, despite winning two of its final three games last season, fell short of a playoff berth for the first time since 2011. Mukwonago missed playoffs last year Indians still tough Arrowhead Coach: Fritz Rauch, first season 2015: 12-2 overall (Lost in Division 1 cham- pionship game), 6-1 Classic 8 Conference (co-champions) Key returning players: junior C D.J. Dean, senior DL Nathan Schultz, senior LB Collin Thiel, senior DE Jake Powell, senior LB Noah Harvey, senior OL Andy Biwer, senior LB Noah Rummel, senior DL Alex Panos Promising newcomers: junior QB Henry Case, junior QB Jeff Holtz, junior WR Robert Tetzlaff, junior WR JJ Oehmcke, senior WR Stephen Gardner, senior OL Jack Schaefer, senior OL Alex Nannetti, senior OL Aaron Custer Key graduation losses: Ben Bredeson, Nick Bastien, John Mack, Antonio-Jose Ramos, Johnny Duranso, Justin Peret, Tedy Orlando, Parker Redman See MUKWONAGO, PAGE 9 2016 SCHEDULE (All games 7 p.m.) Aug. 18: at Homestead Aug. 26: Hudson Sept. 2: Waukesha North Sept. 9: at Waukesha West Sept. 16: Mukwonago Sept. 23: at Catholic Memorial Sept. 30: Kettle Moraine Oct. 7: at Waukesha South Oct. 14: Muskego Charles Auer/Freeman Staff Arrowhead players work on defensive drills during practice.