BURLINGTON FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Tully, Tiedt lead offense, defense for Demons
By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
The Burlington High School football program went out and got its hometown boy, and he delivered.
Second-year Demon head coach Steve Tenhagen’s formula for success in 2014 was simple: a dual-threat quarterback, weapons all over the field and a big-play defense forcing turnovers.
The results came in the form of a 6-5 record, the first playoff victory in a decade, a conference championship and a return to relevance for a sport that has a storied history in the city.
So how do you follow such an epic, game-changing season?
“In one week, we had as much of our system installed as we did in two weeks last year,” Tenhagen said on the phone Tuesday night. “The guys are learning it faster. We have a very deep, great group. We’re approaching the season from the standpoint of team. Everyone is committed to the program. There’s plenty of competition going on, and kids have embraced that. That drives things to the next level.”
Last year, Burlington enjoyed lots of success despite only 26 combined juniors and seniors. This year, numbers aren’t an issue.
The Demons have the luxury of 45 varsity (juniors and seniors) players, led by 15 seniors and a large junior class. Tenhagen said the juniors are dedicated and it has created quite the competition for starting spots.
“You definitely have to earn your spot,” he said. “You can’t start 45 kids. There aren’t any guarantees anymore.”
The ramped-up competition in house may be just what the doctor ordered for a squad that lost 12 starters, six on offense and six on defense.
Burlington must replace 10 key seniors, including leading passer and rusher Brad Burling, whose nearly 3,000 total yards and 36 touchdowns earned him All-Racine County, All-Area and All-SLC player of the year awards.
Guys like Kyle Jones (Division 2 Augustana), James Tully (D3 UW-La Crosse), Hunter Melby (Southern Lakes Blue Devils) and Brian Dankle (University of Iowa walk-on) are all still playing football at the next level.
The turnover is normal, Tenhagen says, and a returning crop of talent will spark the Demons this fall.
It all starts with senior quarterback Cal Tully. The 6-foot, 175-pound dual-threat stud was an all-conference linebacker last season.
This year, he brings that tough-nosed, gritty style under center. Tully adds the dimension of a strong throwing arm as well.
“Cal and Brad were neck-and-neck at QB up until Week 1 last year, and Cal has continued that progression this year,” Tenhagen said. “He’s a great kid, a leader and is completely on board. I expect him to have a great year.”
Before you throw out that inexperience dig, consider this: Tenhagen has groomed the last two SLC players of the year (Burling in ’14, Jesse Collins of Delavan in ’13). Moreover, Tenhagen turned a short, running threat, Justin Fowlkes, into an all-state quarterback for Delavan-Darien in 2010 and won a conference title.
Tenhagen knows quarterbacks, and Tully is poised for a breakout year.
Tully won’t be alone in the backfield, as the shotgun spread look relies on a dynamic running back that can run, catch and block.
Tenhagen said the three-headed monster of juniors Jack Miller, Josh Insor and Grant Tully will carry the ball, with Miller starting Friday night at Racine Case in the season opener.
Although only a handful of starters return, four reside on the offensive line. The backs will run behind experienced big men Tristan Lind and Connor Raboine at tackle, and Zack Koch and Dylan Derks at guard.
Junior Cole Diehn looks to make an impact at center and guard as well.
Tully’s most dangerous weapon on the outside is senior receiver Ty Wiemer, who led the team in catches (31) and yards (578) to go along with five touchdowns.
Wiemer battled a neck injury all summer, but will be 100 percent for Friday’s opener.
Joining Wiemer as pass-catching threats will be senior Jake Wiedert, junior Jake Leonard, sophomore Nick Klug, and tight ends Dale Damon and Aaron Mutter. Mutter is back after not playing last season.
Stuffing the run
The interior run defense is the team’s biggest strength right now, according to Tenhagen.
Returning defensive tackles Hegeman Tiedt and Max Proctor along with linebackers Reid Moen and Isaiah Brenner were impressive against the run in last Friday’s scrimmage at Waukesha West High School.
Adding strength up the middle and on the line will be defensive ends Louis Benitez and Joey Needle along with inside linebacker Aaron Sturtevant. Donal O’Sullivan will play outside linebacker.
The secondary will be led by senior Erik Viel, who gave opposing quarterbacks nightmares last season. Tenhagen said Viel is running the 40-yard dash in the sub-4.6 range.
Viel, Grant Tully, Jared Pope, Louis Hardesty and Tyler Bopp will be key secondary performers.
The Demons built chemistry this summer by doing a team run up the steep water tower hill and enjoying a pool day at the Grand Geneva. Also, the Tony Romo camp provided some strong 7-on-7 competition, where the Demons hung tough with larger schools.
“Right now, our defensive front is a big strength,” Tenhagen said. “As for a weakness, we don’t focus on that. We have 12 new starters, and it’s a matter of how fast you can get them playing varsity football.”
This year’s SLC features five or six teams that could win the title, Tenhagen said. He said Lake Geneva Badger, Wilmot, Waterford, Elkhorn and Delavan-Darien should all be good.
As for the Demons, there’s no reason another conference crown can’t happen.
“We’ll be competitive,” Tenhagen said. “We expect to compete for a playoff spot and win in the playoffs. Also, we want to compete for the SLC crown. We’ll be in the mix.”
Burlington opens its season Friday night at 7 p.m. at Racine Case.
Schedule
(HOME GAMES BOLD CAPS)
– all games 7 p.m.
August – 21: at Racine Case. 28: RACINE HORLICK. September – 4: at Lake Geneva Badger. 11: WATERFORD. 18: WESTOSHA CENTRAL. 25: at Delavan-Darien. October – 2: WILMOT. 9: at Elkhorn. 16: UNION GROVE.
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