With county football games already being played Thursday, football season is officially back. The busy summer may have caught the fans off guard, but the teams are all ready to go for that opening kickoff.

What is your team identity?

Ellsworth Coach Rob Heller: “We have a lot of experience coming back this year with the majority of our starters being seniors. We are also the biggest we have been up front in many years. I am hoping this combined with a very athletic set of skill players will keep up competitive in the always tough Middle Border Conference. Ideally, we would be an extremely tough, disciplined, and physical football team with the experience we have on the field this year.”

Elmwood/Plum City Coach Mike Birtzer: “We hope to be a more physical team this year both on offense and defense. We need to be able to run the ball on offense and stop the run on defense.”

Prescott Coach Jordan Hansen: “We want to be a team that is able to run the ball and stop the run. That's what wins games in the MBC and late in the year in Wisconsin.”

River Falls Coach Ryan Scherz: “Our identity will hopefully be a group of guys that play really hard for each other every day.”
Spring Valley Coach Ryan Kapping: “We will be a team that has to rely on running the football well and playing good defense.”

What will be the key to a successful season?

Heller: “Focusing on the things we can control. If we can minimize mistakes, do the little things right, and focus on what is in front of us at the appropriate moments we will be a tough team to beat. We can't allow outside noise and distractions to determine the outcome of our days, weeks and season together this fall. Our seniors need to play like they are capable of and lead by example this season.”

Birtzer: “We have to stay healthy and our younger players need to develop quickly.”

Hansen: “As for any season, it comes down to how healthy we are. With only 43 athletes out for football we have to be a healthy football team to have a successful season and try to compete in our league.”

Scherz: “The key to the season will be how well we remain connected and handle adversity. The Big Rivers is an extremely challenging conference.”

Kapping: “Our key will be to focus on getting better each week.”

What are the biggest improvements you have noticed?

Heller: “Adversity. This group's ability to deal with adversity is very impressive. We have had an extremely interesting offseason with many obstacles that are only going to make us stronger. In the past, we have talked about being a fist, a team-focused unit, it was all just a lot of hot air. This season we are actually going to be that team that can put the team first and not concern themselves with ego and individual success. I think this team's desire to succeed will have a lot to do with their ability to turn the page and have that next play mentality. No one is really concerned with who gets the credit as long as the team is successful. This group's effort in the offseason should pay dividends this fall.”

Birtzer: “The strength and speed. I can tell you after Thursday if we have improved on the field.”

Hansen: “Our team speed is the fastest it's been since I've been here. We have a few kids coming off of record track seasons that we will rely on for both offense and defense.”

Scherz: “The biggest improvements we've seen are guys maturing into senior leaders. We have a great group of seniors that set the tone.”

Kapping: “We will have a lot of guys playing that will be getting their first extensive varsity action so it will be important to improve on both sides of the ball as we gain experience.”

Who are your players to watch?

Heller: “Some playmakers for us this season will be George Rohl, Omar Coulson, Chace Kressin, Landon Anderson, Jack Stoltenburg and Coen Hinrichs.”

Birtzer: “Logan Auth, Jack Steinmeyer, Brett Kopp and Owen Kober. If these four have successful seasons our team will do well.”

Hansen: “Our offensive line is a little inexperienced but will be one of the biggest lines we've put out there. If we stay healthy, I feel good about that group we have up front.”

Scherz: “Indiana commit Sam Simpson will be fun to watch this year. On both sides of the ball, we are hoping that we have many players contribute each week.”

Kapping: “We will be a team that has to rely on running the football well and playing good defense. Our key will be to focus on getting better each week. Asher Turner (junior) will be our top returning ball carrier from a year ago. The rest of our experienced returning players will be trying to clear running lanes with seniors Tyler Vanasse, Maxx Wittmer, Aaron Morrow and Toby Shafer all returning in the offensive line along with junior Braden Gregg. Collin Brunner returns at tight end. Will Biggs and Sam Schmitt will be other players to watch on the offensive side of the ball.”