By Jennifer Eisenbart
Sports Editor
Depending on which philosophy you take in the game of football, you can either tout the importance of scoring with the football – or subscribe to the old adage of “the best offense is a good defense.”
This year, there were standouts on both sides of the ball among the top area football teams.
With a pair of senior leaders at the quarterback position, Burlington High School’s Jayden Essman and Catholic Central High School’s Carson Meinholz share Offensive Player of the Year honors.
On the defensive side, Southern Lakes Conference Defensive Player of the Year earns the same honor here: Brandon Miller.
Offense
Essman and Meinholz both proved to be exactly what their team needed this season.
A two-year starter at quarterback, Essman started the year on the watch list for Dave Krieg Award – given to the top quarterback in the state. He was eventually named a semifinalist for the award in helping BHS back to the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
The senior finished the season with 1,440 yards passing, throwing for 16 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He had a quarterback rating of 109.1. Essman also ran for 244 yards and a touchdown as well.
BHS coach Hans Block praised Essman often this year, both for buying into the offense that the coaching staff chose to run and for being on the same page with Block in moving that offense down the field.
“Jayden can make all of the throws, make good choices, manage the game – all of those things are great,
but it was his willingness to put the team first ahead of his personal agenda is what was most impressive about Jayden this season,” said Block. “His unselfishness, his ability, and his leadership helped to make him an outstanding quarterback.”
Essman was a second-team All-Southern Lakes Conference pick (behind SLC Offensive Player of the Year and fellow quarterback Peter Krien).
Meinholz, meanwhile, passed the ball impressively, but also ran the ball almost as well. He passed for 1,406 yards, 15 touchdowns and one interception (and a 112.5 QB rating), but also ran for 518 yards and eight touchdowns.
Meinholz passed for a touchdown and ran for another to secure CCHS a guaranteed playoff berth with a win over Greendale Martin Luther, and also was a part of both of Catholic Central’s touchdowns in a 14-12 Level One playoff win over Black Hawk.
“Carson is a tremendous athlete who has worked diligently to become a very talented and efficient quarterback,” said CCHS coach Tom Aldrich. “A true dual threat, he had great speed and elusiveness in the open field. Carson was tough for opponents to defend.”
Meinholz was named as a first-team Metro Classic All-Conference pick at quarterback.
Defense
The Waterford offense did its job this year, but the defense was really where the Wolverines hung their hopes.
As a team, Waterford limited its opponents to just 680 yards rushing – an average of just 75.6 yards per game. Opponents fared better through the air – 1,167 yards for an average of 129 yards per game – but the teams Waterford played scored just a total of 107 points (11.9 points per game).
Miller’s performance on the defensive line (he was also a first-team pick on the O-line) was a huge part of that.
“Brandon Miller was the best defensive lineman I’ve coached,” said Waterford head coach Adam Bakken. “He was truly a two-gap player while being cut blocked and double-teamed all year.
“Brandon made plays at the line of scrimmage, and was also able to make tackles when plays were run away from him.”
Miller’s play drew praise from other SLC coaches, one of whom said Miller was clearly the right choice for SLC Defensive Player of the Year.
Bakken certainly didn’t shy away from praising him.
“Brandon Miller was the most physically dominant player in our conference and in the county,” the coach said.
Capsules for the rest of the All-Area team:
Offense
Quarterback
(tie) Jayden Essman, Burlington High School and Carson Meinholz, Catholic Central (co-offensive Players of the Year).
Running backs
Alex Thomaschek, Waterford Union High School: In spite of missing a handful of games due to injury, Thomaschek was a key piece to the Waterford puzzle this year.
He rushed for 648 yards in eight games, a deceptive number since he missed most of Waterford’s playoff loss to Waukesha West and a regular season game.
He also had 10 touchdowns.
“Alex was our MVP on offense,” said Waterford coach Adam Bakken. “Alex is one of our best two-way players and just had an excellent career at Waterford.”
Grant Alderman, Catholic Central High School: Alderman has struggled with a variety of injuries over the last three years, but came through in the clutch for the Hilltoppers this year.
In spite of missing two games, Alderman rushed for 1,064 yards and 12 touchdowns.
“Grant is one of those players you wish you had to play every position because he is a fierce competitor and truly loves the game,” said CCHS coach Tom Aldrich.
Tight end
Ty Dennis, Burlington High School: Dennis proved to be a great tool for quarterback Essman to show off his skills – and vice versa.
Dennis finished the season with 605 receiving yards, the most of any Demon player. He averaged 27.5 yards per reception, and had eight touchdowns.
“Offensively his blocking, route running, and his ability to attack the ball in the air, then those combine those traits with his speed
and run after catch ability made Ty Dennis an elite receiver,” said BHS coach Hans Block.
Wide receivers
Kasey Solofra, Burlington High School: Solofra finished with 354 yards receiving for the Demons, a good second option when Dennis became double teamed. He also scored four touchdowns.
“He has great hands and unmatched quickness,” Block said. “He runs outstanding routes, catches everything and is a threat every time he touches the ball.”
Tegan Miles, Catholic Central High School: Miles was one of two receivers to make a huge impact for the Hilltoppers, the other being sophomore Tyler Burzawa.
Miles finished with 443 yards and 20.1 yards per catch, and had six touchdowns for CCHS.
“Tegan is not only a matchup nightmare, he is also a talented and athletic receiver,” Aldrich said. “Tegan is a quick learner who got better as the year went on.”
Offensive line
Brandon Miller, Waterford Union High School: An All-State honorable mention on the defensive line, Miller was also a force to be reckoned with on the O-line.
The Wolverines rushed for the majority of their offense this year, with close to 2,200 yards on the season.
“He was capable of moving a defensive lineman into a linebacker to create huge seams for our backs to run through,” said Bakken.
Luke Hesse, Burlington High School: Playing on both sides of the ball for the Demons, Hesse was called by Block the team’s most athletic lineman.
The Demons rushed for 1,715 yards this season.
“He is an excellent technician, has great quickness and balance, plus his toughness an aggressive demeanor make him a force on both
sides of the ball,” Block said.
J.J. Pryzbylka, Waterford Union High School: Bakken said Pryzbylka was the most intense player on Waterford’s offensive line.
“He used his quickness and tremendous strength to be one of the best linemen in the area,” Bakken explained. “J.J. was a constant leader on our offensive line and was one of the main reasons we could run the ball the way we did.”
Brandon Schindler, Waterford Union High School: Bakken also praised the play of Schindler.
“(He) used his size and great footwork to help anchor our offensive line at center,” Bakken said.
Calvin Kempken, Catholic Central High School: With the Hilltoppers looking to get the ball to Alderman a great deal of the time, the importance of the O-line – and Kempken – could not be understated.
“Cal is a force to be reckoned with,” Aldrich said. “Extremely determined, he has great feet and uses his hands very well. Cal is a very athletic offensive lineman who excels at pass blocking. He has anchored our offensive line for the past two years.”
Kicker
Spencer Warner, Burlington High School: With Burlington entering the season with uncertainty at kicking, Warner proved to be a great option.
Warner hit 24 of 27 extra points the Demons attempted, and also his only field goal try of the season. The Demons also recovered three of nine onside kick attempts.
“He has a tremendous touch when kicking he football,” Block said. “His ability to pooch kick, dribble the on-side, kick deep and place the ball where we asked made him a – real weapon in
establishing field position.”
Defense
Defensive line
Brandon Miller, Waterford Union High School: (Defensive Player of the Year).
Jake Wirsching, Waterford Union High School: Wirsching led the Southern Lakes Conference in sacks and was second on the Waterford team in tackles for loss.
“He did a great job playing versus the run and pass,” said Bakken. “His size and speed off the edge allowed our defense to take some chances and get some pressure on the quarterback.”
Luke Hesse, Burlington High School: Hesse contributed on both sides on the line for BHS.
“He is intelligent and able to play multiple positions on both sides of the ball,” Block said.
Hesse finished the season with 19 solo tackles and 21 assists, and also had a forced fumble despite being rotated with a number of players at the defensive tackle and end positions.
Jake Kaider, Catholic Central High School: Kaider was, in the words of coach Aldrich, a lineman able to balance the demands of being strong yet athletic.
“Jake is a very active defensive lineman. He is strong and physical, yet Jake still has the athletic ability to make plays all over the field,” Aldrich said. “One of those players who truly love to play the game of football. Great competitor who always left everything on the field.”
Defensive backs
Zach Mehring, Catholic Central High School: In spite of being undersized at the position, Mehring still managed to be a big part of the CCHS defense.
“Zach plays with a lot of heart and great savviness. He consistently makes plays,” Aldrich said. “Zach has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. A player you could always count on giving you his best effort on every play.”
Ty Dennis, Burlington High School: As good as Dennis was as a receiver, he played an equally important role on defense.
He finished the season with 21 solo tackles and 24 assists, two interceptions and five pass breakups. He also had three fumble recoveries.
“He did a terrific job for us at defensive back as he
often took on the task of shutting down the other team’s best receiver,” Dennis said.
Chris Benavides, Waterford Union High School: Benavides finished as Waterford’s leading overall tackler, and proved to be a huge asset in the secondary for the Wolverines.
“He comes downhill to tackle better than any secondary player I’ve coached,” Bakken said. “His length and ability to go sideline to sideline allowed our defense to consistently play with eight players in the box.”
Linebackers
J.J. Ahlers, Waterford Union High School: A three-year starter at linebacker for the Wolverines, Ahlers was called Waterford’s defensive leader by Bakken.
“He was responsible for calling our defense and was versatile enough to play linebacker in some defenses and safety in other defenses,” Bakken said. “He had an excellent career on defense here at Waterford and will be very hard to replace.”
Max Fisher, Waterford Union High School: Bakken called Fisher the “biggest surprise of the team on defense” this season.
“Being a sophomore and being physically tough enough to lead the area in tackles for loss says a lot about how great a player he could be in a couple of years,” Bakken said.
Yianni Skapinakis, Waterford Union High School: Bakken praised Shapinakis’ play at inside linebacker for the Wolverines.
“He was a great player against the run and also had three interceptions from the linebacker position, one of which was returned for a touchdown,” Bakken said.
Kyle Kresken, Catholic Central High School: Aldrich described his linebacker as “an old fashioned, hard-nosed football player.”
“He is not afraid to take on anybody and backs down to nobody,” Aldrich explained. “Kyle truly loves the physicality of the game. His style of play was contagious with his teammates. Kyle is a fun player to watch.”
Michael Dilley, Waterford Union High School: While yardage statistics were not available for Dilley, Bakken sang the praises of his punter.
“(He) did a great job putting our defense in great situations as far as field position goes,” Bakken said. “Having a great punter is something every great defense certainly needs, and that was Michael for us.”
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