URL: http://www.gazetteextra.com/20150819/brodheadjuda_eyes_24th_consecutive_trip_to_state
URL: http://www.gazetteextra.com/20150819/brodheadjuda_eyes_24th_consecutive_trip_to_state
BRODHEAD—The streak is incredible.
Brodhead/Juda’s football program has qualified for the postseason a state-record 23 straight times.
And despite heavy graduation losses, a 24th straight seems a foregone conclusion.
“We’re very proud of that fact,” coach BJ Bockhop said of the streak. “And no matter what type of team we might have year in and year out, that always remains one of our goals.
“It’s not every year that you can say as a team, we got better each and every day. This year, I can honestly say that. The kids are working hard, and I’m very pleased with the progress we’ve made the last 10 days.”
Brodhead/Juda has to replace a slew of graduated first-team all-conference players on both sides of the ball. The Cardinals shared the Rock Valley South title a year ago with Walworth Big Foot and advanced to Level 2 of the playoffs.
Matt Schmitt takes over at quarterback. The junior has impressed Bockhop.
“He’s got a really strong arm and the ability to throw the deep ball,” Bockhop said. “Plus, he’s shown that he can get outside and run if a play breaks down. That’s something Brennan (Bescup) did so well for us last year.”
Seniors Jake Pickel and Dylan Kubly will be the running backs. Bockhop said both possess good speed that should allow the Cardinals the opportunity to run outside the tackles.
Ned Slocum, a senior, is the top wideout. He finished with 360 yards receiving a year ago.
Juniors Jared Hansen and Dakota Taber will anchor the offensive line.
Bockhop hopes the defense can duplicate last year’s success. Brodhead/Juda allowed just over 10 points per game and held seven of 11 opponents under 10 points.
Hansen and Taber start on the defensive line, with Kubly and Pickel spearheading an athletic linebacking corps.
Brodhead/Juda opens with nonconference games against River Valley and prohibitive Rock Valley North favorite Evansville/Albany. Bockhop likes the tough early schedule.
“It will give us a chance to see where we’re at as a football team and what we need to work on,” Bockhop said. “Those are certainly two playoff teams. Playing them is only going to make us a better football team down the road.
“And we’re not going to change our philosophy or how we approach things. We set our season goals, and when we get to the playoffs, we set new ones.”
Don’t look for that to change in 2015.
ROSTER
Number, Name, year, height, weight, position.
1, Tyler Hoesly, Jr., 6-2, 175, SE/DB
2, Bryson Ils, Jr., 5-10, 170, RB/DB
3, Matt Schmitt, Jr., 6-4, 185, QB/DB
5, Parker Johnson, So., 5-9, 145, SE/DB
11, Justice Tway, So., 6-2, 155, SE/DB
11, Ned Slocum, Sr., 6-3, 190, SE/DB
13, Patrick Burnett, Jr., 5-7, 140, SE/DB
14, Dakota Davis, Jr., 5-7, 140, RB/DB
20, Brekan Day, So., 5-11, 150, SE/DB
23, Josh Harper, So., 5-9, 140, RB/LB
23, Jack Speckman, Jr., 5-11, 170, RB/LB
25, Peter Bouc, Sr., 6-2, 175, RB/LB
29, Nick Hack, Jr., 6-0, 175, RB/LB
30, Jake Pickel, Sr., 5-8, 160, RB/LB
31, Prestan Leitzan, So., 5-10, 155, QB/LB
34, Dylan Kubly, Sr., 5-7, 175, RB/DE
35, Jace Morris, So., 5-10, 140, RB/LB
40, Nathan Lawrence, So., 5-8, 200, G/DE
42, Alex Nipple, Jr., 5-10, 165, TE/DE
44, Clayton Hale, So., 5-9, 180, TE/DE
50, Joe Stout, Jr., 5-10, 200, G/LB
51, Isaac Welsh, Sr., 6-0, 185, G/DE
54, Dakota Taber, Sr., 6-1, 250, T/T
58, Steven Granger, Sr., 5-11, 220, T/T
59, Noah Steinmann, Jr., 5-11, 170, C/LB
60, Tyler Fenwick, Sr., 5-9, 220, T/T
61, Oscar Reyes-Grimm, So., 6-0, 245, T/T
62, Jared Hansen, Jr., 5-11, 275, G/T
65, Bobby Wolter, Jr., 6-1, 290, T/T
68, Draven Hawkinson, Jr., 6-2, 205, TE/DE
74, Hunter VanWyhe, Jr., 5-10, 190, G/T
77, Dane Lewis, So., 6-0, 230, T/T
78, Trent Davis, So., 5-11, 230, C/T
80, Matthew Johnson, So., 5-10, 155, SE/LB
85, Caleb Erb, So., 5-10, 135, TE/LB
87, Skyler Stuckey, Jr., 6-1, 170, TE/DB
Stephen Pina, So., 5-11, 275, T/T