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1997 WIAC Preview

1997 WIAC Football Preview

Aug. 28, 1997

courtesy Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A look at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (formerly WSUC), in order of the teams' conference finishes last season:

LA CROSSE (10-2, 7-0 WSUC): The Eagles have only five offensive and three defensive starters back, but that doesn't mean coach Roger Harring's team isn't loaded again. La Crosse has won five of the last six conference titles and is favored to win its third straight. Returnees include senior quarterback Jeff Baker, who passed for 1,918 yards and 13 touchdowns in his first year as starter. Senior John Barrett and junior Beau Coulter, who both missed much of 1996 because of injuries, are expected to share duties at running back. Senior defensive back Ric Mathias leads the returnees on defense.

RIVER FALLS (9-2, 6-1): The Falcons have a few holes to fill after graduating 19 seniors from a team that advanced to the Division III playoffs. The biggest question will be whether coach John O'Grady can find replacements for a defense that allowed just 173 points last season. Only three defensive starters return: senior Damon Clare and sophomores Broc Threinen and Tim Sukalski. On offense, five starters return, including senior fullback Eric Ninck and sophomore halfbacks Ben Kolstad and Michael Grant. Junior Randy Johnson, who played mostly halfback last year, probably will be the starting quarterback in the Falcons' wishbone attack.

WHITEWATER (8-2, 5-2): The Warhawks return some key players from the team that set a school record of 4,994 yards last year. Coach Bob Berezowitz's main concern is the Warhawks' young defensive unit. Senior running backs John Damato and Eddie McKennie ranked second and third, respectively, in the conference in rushing last year. Junior quarterback Ty Grovesteen was seventh in passing and fifth in total offense. All-American candidate Derrick LeVake returns to open big holes for the backs to run through. Senior Marty Vosburg, junior Jim Rosinski and sophomore Andre Bennett anchor the defensive line.

STEVENS POINT (6-3, 4-3): Coach John Miech's team ranked third in defense last year, and the Pointers return three all-conference defenders in senior lineman Shane Konop, junior linebacker Clint Kriewaldt and senior defensive back Ryan Krcmar. Nine starters return on offense, plus senior Fred Galecke, the all-conference place-kicker.

EAU CLAIRE (5-5, 3-4): The Blugolds made huge strides last year under first-year coach Bob Nielson after going 1-9 the previous year. On offense, senior running back Chad Hoiska, who set a school record by scoring 20 touchdowns, is back along with senior quarterback Sean Hoolihan, who passed for more than 1,650 yards. Nielson's big project is to improve a defense that allowed 244 yards rushing per game.

OSHKOSH (4-6, 2-5): The Titans return 39 lettermen, including quarterback Brian Tomalak and tight end Tony Church, both all-conference selections. Tomalak, a junior, passed for 2,630 yards and 17 touchdowns in 1996. Church, a senior, caught 31 passes for 462 yards and two touchdowns. Junior running back Colyn Bruss led the Titans in rushing. Coach Ron Cardo has a veteran defensive unit with 10 starters returning.

STOUT (4-6, 1-6): Passing was the Blue Devils' strength last season, and the starting quarterback and three top receivers -- senior Scott Wojcik, sophomore Jim Pillars and junior Jesse Witcraft -- are back. Junior quarterback Matt Bunyan, the starter the last two years, returns but will be challenged by sophomore Marty Goryl and freshman John Anderson. Bunyan passed for 1,803 yards and 14 touchdowns last year. Coach Ed Melerkort's big concern is improving a running attack that averaged just 87.3 yards per game. Four defensive starters graduated, but the line remains intact, led by seniors Mike Olson and Andy Wickstrom, a pair of all-conference defensive ends.

PLATTEVILLE (1-9, 0-7): The Pioneers lost nine straight after opening with a 17-10 victory over Concordia. The best news for coach Jim Kinder is the experience his players gained. Most of the starting backfield returns, including senior quarterback Forrest Paul, senior tailback Adam Grossen and senior fullback Jeremiah Shoemaker. Nine starters return on defense.

Best of the rest

A look at some of the other state college football programs:

RIPON (9-1, 5-0 Midwest Conference): After winning the Midwest Conference title with their best season ever, coach Ron Ernst's Red Wings are looking for their first repeat championship since 1978. Senior quarterback Eric Rich has passed for 53 touchdowns in three seasons. Also returning in the backfield are senior Nick Salm and junior Kirk Wilderspin, who both rushed for more than 70 yards per game last year. Senior linebacker Brock Goehler, a Division III All-American, also returns after leading the conference's top-ranked defense.

ST. NORBERT (5-4, 4-1 Midwest): The Green Knights return 17 starters from the team that won four of its last five games last year. Senior quarterback Dan Luedtke set school records for total yards last season. Senior guard Matt Mueller returns to anchor the offensive line. Junior linebacker Ben Merigold, who had 97 tackles and six take-aways last year, leads the defense.

CARROLL (6-3, 3-2 Midwest): Coach Merle Masonholder has 16 starters and 43 letter-winners back.

LAKELAND (8-2, 6-0 Illini-Badger): Quarterback Mark Novara and wide receiver Brandon Lawson return for their senior season after leading the Muskies to their first first title since 1986. Novara set a Division III record with 40 touchdown passes last year, and Lawson set a school receiving record with 1,081 yards.

CONCORDIA (5-4, 4-1 Illini-Badger): The Falcons return 50 lettermen, including seven starters on offense and six on defense. Junior wide receiver Chris Hanratty caught 47 passes for 934 yards and 13 touchdowns last season and senior running back Jason Scott ran for 730 yards and four touchdowns. Ben Mosley, a 6-4 350-pound senior, anchors the offensive line. Junior Dustin James returns at defensive end after registering five sacks last year.

-- Tom Flaherty