By Jennifer Eisenbart
Sports Writer
Things are a little complicated right now for the Burlington High School football team.
Most of it happened Monday, as BHS football coach Hans Block was trying desperately to organize a batch of changes to his roster.
“I like our kids,” said Block. “I like our stability in the offensive line. But what I really like are the kids who are pushing behind them.”
The Demons are coming off their first WIAA playoff berth since 2006 last season, where Burlington lost in a Level One game to Watertown.
And while the Demons lost a large number of players – including a two-year starting quarterback in Jayden Essman, All-State honorable mention receiver in Ty Dennis and talented running back Chad Redmer – Block is still optimistic about his team.
“I think we’ve got really good competition at our positions,” Block said.
That starts at the quarterback spot, where senior Mark Wallace and juniors Brad Burling and Brian Dankle are about dead even for the starting job. All three saw playing time in the scrimmage, and Block is expecting Wallace and Burling to share time in Friday’s opener at Racine Case.
Dankle will be the team’s kicker, and Block called him the most accurate kicker the team has had in his time as coach.
“Just like you work on your golf game,” said Block of Dankle, who is also a member of the BHS golf team in the spring.
Five starters are back on the offensive line, and six on the defense. On the defensive side of the ball, players who return are Luke Hesse (DL), Tyler Kirking (DL), Dustin Peterson (DE), Larry Meeks (LB), Wallace at safety and Lucas Dahl (CB).
“I would say they’re very steady,” said Block. It is also the third year the Demons’ defense will be run by Bill Krien.
“We seemed to play very solid at the scrimmage,” Block said.
Wyatt Miller and Connor McDonnell will play at linebacker, as well as James Tully at the defensive end spot, and newcomer cornerback Kyle Jones. Wallace will likely punt.
On the offensive side of the ball, Bryce Dow will line up at center, while Chris Runjo and Kirking will be at guard. Greg Miller and Hesse will be at the tackle positions.
Looking to step into the running back void left by Redmer will be Neal Peterson, Meeks, Dane Helnore and Wyatt Miller.
At receiver will be Skyler VanDusseldorp and Tully, as well as Dustin Peterson.
Block expects his team will be in the mix if the Demons stay healthy. As for the Southern Lakes Conference, the usual suspects are coming to play – Badger, Waterford and Wilmot. Block is also looking at Union Grove – 0-9 last season – to be a sleeper team, as well as Elkhorn.
“We have a pretty tough schedule,” Block said. “But if we can stay healthy and keep improving, I like the direction we’re going.”
The Demons open at Case Friday at 7 p.m., and then at Case to play Racine Horlick – picked to win the Southeast Conference – in week two.
Burlington will host Union Grove in the SLC opener Friday, Sept. 6.
“We’ll find out real quick,” Block said. “We need to play right away.”
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