By Mike Ramczyk
The Catholic Central football squad completed a 1-8 campaign with a 50-0 loss at Racine St. Catherine’s Oct. 13 at Horlick Field.
But on Tuesday, head coach Tom Aldrich was at peace a mere five days after the season, which included a 1-6 mark in the Metro Classic Conference for the defending conference champs.
“This season was just as challenging as all the others have been,” he said. “That’s the beauty of competing. I am fortunate to be coaching high school football in general. But to work with such a great staff and such outstanding young men, who always give us their best, is truly a blessing, not a challenge.”
In a game played at Union Grove High School, St. Cat’s sophomore phenom Da’Shaun Brown passed for 182 yards and two touchdowns along with 126 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Starting quarterback Chad Zirbel was injured and couldn’t play, so the Toppers moved Aaron Rueber under center and defensive lineman/receiver Kyle Goethal took most of the carries.
Rueber finished with 66 yards rushing, and Goethal added 65.
One year after reaching the Division 7 state semifinals, the Toppers suffered their first losing season since 1994.
“We couldn’t stop them defensively and were unable to finish our drives offensively,” Aldrich said. “St. Cat’s was the better team. They also have a very special football player in Brown.”
Aldrich said the most important takeaway from this season involves teamwork.
“Life isn’t about you,” he said. “It’s about your teammates and what you can do to help them be the best they can be.”
Aldrich said the future is bright for the football program, and one bump in the road after years of consistent success won’t keep the Toppers down.
“We all need to keep working to be our best, to get better on a daily basis,” Aldrich said. “You can’t sit still if you want to be able to compete.”
-
-
-
-
-