The Owen-Withee football team ended last season with two consecutive losses to Thorp, one in their regular season finale and one in the first level of the playoffs. Those back-to-back losses to their arch rival have provided plenty of motivation to the returning players this year.

First and foremost among those returning players is senior quarterback Dominic Sherwood.

“We expect him to have a command of the offense and be a big playmaker for us,” Head Coach Terry Laube says about his returning field general.

Sherwood will have to do so without one of his favorite targets from a year ago, Vince Henke, who graduated last spring, had six touchdown receptions for the Blackhawks a year ago and was a favorite target of Sherwood.

Despite losing one of his favorite targets, Sherwood should feel more comfortable knowing that his line returns with him this season. Center Jack Wendler will once again be flanked by guards Colin Fritz and Sam Rasmussen.

“They make the offense go, and to have that core group back gives us a real advantage as we enter the season,” says Laube, “The experience at quarterback and interior offensive line [will be] a big bonus.”

With three-year starter Colin Dallman graduated last spring, it will be up to Sully Poehler to fill in at fullback this season, he will be joined in the backfield by Tim Stock at halfback.

Stock will also have big shoes to fill, but on the defensive side. Stock will be replacing All-State linebacker Ryan Nelson. Nelson averaged 12 tackles a game last year as a senior. Stock will be joined at the linebacker position by Fritz at weakside linebacker.

Playing in front of them on the line Sully and Winston Poehler will be joined by Wendler. Rounding out the defense in the secondary will be Mason Gay and Brandon Geldernick at the corners and Sherwood playing over the top at safety.

Historically, Owen-Withee teams have relied on their speed to burst through the line and get into the defensive backfield where they can make plays in space. Laube believes that will be true of this year’s version as well.

“Our overall team speed could be our biggest asset,” explains Laube.

Laube sees depth as something that will be a key factor in the team being successful this year.

“Our ability to create some depth at the various positions will become very important as the season wears on,” says Laube.

But while depth will help, staying healthy will be key too.

“It is important that we stay healthy this year and not have to put a younger player in a situation that he may not be ready for,” explains Laube.

The Blackhawks will once again find themselves playing in one of the toughest 8-man conferences in the state, and many of their conference opponents are also returning key players from a year ago.

“Every game is a must-win just to make the playoffs” says Laube, “No games will be slouches. We need to improve each and every week and put ourselves in a situation where we control our destiny.”

Helping put them in that situation is the coaching staff.

“We are very fortunate to have the coaching staff here at Owen-Withee that we do have,” Laube says about his assistants, “Seasoned coaches like Steve Kadolph, Jeff Greschner, Jeff Stzrok, and Harry Mitchell, along with the younger coaching staff of Albert Goerlitz, Zach Feind, Caleb Green, and Dylan Kaae, who bring a high level of excitement and fresh ideas, give our players every opportunity to succeed at this game.”

Owen-Withee was certainly successful in their season opener against Prairie Farm. The defense threw a shutout on their way to a 57-0 win while the offense amassed 338 rushing yards.

The Hawks open up conference play this Friday when they travel to Cornell. Their next home game is Friday, September 13, when they host McDonell Central. Kickoffs are scheduled for 7 p.m.