Newman Catholic Cardinals Football Season Preview
Coaching staff
Paul Michlig Head Coach
Karl Thorpe
Joe Ackermann
Nate Brill
Newman Cardinals Football Schedule
Offense: key returning players
Conner Krach QB 1st team 8-player All-State 130-183 2396 yards 39TD’s and 4INT
Thomas Bates RB Over 2,400 yards rushing over his career, coming off ACL injury last year.
Eli Gustafson TE 31 catches 526 yards 12 TD’s
Owen Sullivan Center 1st Team All-Conference
Wyatt Gasper 2/3 of starting line is back….including Wyatt
Matt Hamilton K 1st Team All-Conference 21-21 PAT in playoffs
Defense: key returning players
Ben Hardesty DE 1st Team All-Conference 87 Tackles 13 TFL 9.5 Sacks 5 Fumble Recoveries
Thomas Bates LB has been a 3 year starter for us, missed most of last year ACL, career totals 96 Tackles, 15 TFL, 5 Sacks, 4 Fumble Recoviers, 5 Int’s
Eli Gustafson LB 49 Tackles, 8 TFL, 4.5 Sacks, 2 Int’s
Conference outlook
The conference will be improved from top to bottom. Port Edwards is well-coached and will be healthy, and talented at skill positions. Almond-Bancroft is in the conference this year and has always had a very successful football program. Marion/Tigerton has two of the better players in the conference and should be able to build around those key pieces. Bowler/Gresham has arguably the best athlete in the conference and a new coach that I am sure will build around that. Tri-County has made good strides the past two years with their coach and he will continue that tread with some really good middle school classes coming up now.
Keys to your success on offense
Staying healthy, staying healthy, staying healthy. We need to replace two starting receivers. That is never easy. We haven’t turned ball over much, need to continue that trend.
Keys to your success on defense
Need to fine a few more play makers on this side of the ball. Have to continue to make plays on this side of the ball. It might take a bit to put in together, but need snaps.
Behind the scenes: Who are some of the people that help your program succeed?
Parents and our football club! They help with getting the equipment needed, the funds to help with make this the best experience possible. Without the parent support over the last 20 years nothing would be the same.
My wife and boys that help with getting the locker room ready, painting lines with me, getting stuff organized for different events. They have been part of this program for a long time and I couldn’t do what I do without that support.
Without a doubt, my assistant coaches over the years and all the players that have come back and have helped coach. I am lucky that I have had Karl Thorpe with me for 19 of the 20 years. Having that loyalty has been a blessing.
What is your football program all about? How do you measure success?
We have been for 20 years now about building young people to leave this place better then we found it. “Bringing the Juice” everyday to football and life. We want to be better people. When you are part of this program, we expect more. We expect you giving back to the community. Giving these students an opportunity/experience that they can make memories for the rest of their life.
Success for each class is measured from the time they step football into the program and continued through their life.
On the field, success is judged by how we practice, and how WE play. The scoreboard will take care of itself if we are doing what we need to be doing. That is what is great about football.
Coach’s comments: anything else you’d like to share?
Looking forward to the opportunity to play the best team game you can watch. Nothing better then having the opportunity to smell that grass, that sweat, kids working together to accomplish the same goal, enjoying themselves with their friends while playing a GAME that does so much for the development of students if done correct.
2022 Central Wisconsin Fall Sports Schedules: Links to School Schedule Updates
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
