By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
The state football championships wrapped up last weekend.
I was on the field at Camp Randall Stadium, just about paradise for any sports lover.
The team I was covering, Franklin (we have a paper in Franklin called the Chronicle), lost to state heavyweight Arrowhead in the Division 1 title game.
Interviewing sobbing players and somber coaches afterward wasn’t easy, but it’s important to remember the Sabers had a wonderful run.
A little closer to home, Waterford and Catholic Central had the deepest playoff runs, both reaching Level 3 of the playoffs in their respective divisions (Waterford D2, CCHS D7).
Burlington and Union Grove saw their seasons end after the regular season, but the recent all-Southern Lakes Conference selections were released. Combined with all-Metro Classic honorees, Burlington, Catholic Central, Waterford and Union Grove had plenty of standout players in 2013.
I took the best of the best and made the All-Area Football Team, comprised of players from the four schools.
Without further adieu, let’s jump into it:
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jake Bauer, senior, Waterford
This was a no-brainer, quite frankly.
The best running back in the area, Bauer earned first team all-SLC honors. He rushed for more than 1,200 yards, including five straight 100-yard rushing outings during an eight-game Wolverine win streak.
Bauer got it done when it counted as well.
His scoring scamper with less than 30 seconds to play was the game-winning score in a Level 2 playoff victory over South Milwaukee.
A true leader off the field, Bauer punished defenders any chance he got, but he had the quickness to outrun people as well.
Waterford exceeded expectations this seasons after a 1-2 start, and Bauer is the biggest reason.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Tom Aldrich, Catholic Central
Aldrich took a young squad and got farther in the playoffs than most people expected this season.
The Toppers finished 7-5 after an 0-2 start and came up with upset playoff victories over Randolph and Fall River before falling to Lakeside Lutheran.
Aldrich showed off his coaching acumen by playing sophomore quarterback Ben Heiligenthal in the second game of the season and sticking with him the rest of the way.
With underclassmen like Heiligenthal, Tyler Burzawa and Cole Kresken all helping to lead the way, Catholic Central nearly got to the state semifinals in Division 7.
Expect these guys to contend for conference titles for the next two seasons.
OFFENSE
Ben Heiligenthal, quarterback, Catholic Central
This one wasn’t easy. While Kyle Pohjola had a big year for Union Grove, Heiligenthal, despite his youth, was simply better.
An all-Metro Classic first team selection, the 6-foot-1, 160-pound pocket passer completed 54 percent of his passes for 1,296 yards, 17 touchdowns and only five interceptions.
Heiligenthal, a St. Charles product, had five games with a passer rating of 100 or better, highlighted by a 200-yard, four-touchdown performance in a 49-8 victory over Racine Lutheran.
In a critical late-season game, Heiligenthal’s two-yard touchdown pass with three seconds left on the clock was the game-winner in the 35-29 triumph.
Poised for a sophomore, the gunslinger can make all the throws on the football field, and he can run if needed.
Heiligenthal will only get better as he gets older, and the sky’s the limit for the Toppers with him under center.
Honorable mention: Kyle Pohjola, Union Grove. Brad Burling, Burlington.
RUNNING BACKS
Bauer, Waterford (see player of the year information)
Cole Kresken, Catholic Central
The 6-foot, 180-pound human wrecking ball can run you over or speed past you.
Only a sophomore, Kresken’s action was limited, but he reeled off three 100-yard rushing games and was clutch with a game-winning touchdown in a playoff victory at Randolph.
Kresken averaged 6.1 yards per carry and totaled 795 rushing yards with 10 touchdowns. A PPR back if there was high school fantasy football, Kresken is dangerous on screen passes.
His sure hands yielded 13 catches for 172 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Expect Kresken to be a workhorse next season.
Honorable mention: Tate Koester, Union Grove. Neal Peterson, Burlington.
WIDE RECEIVERS
J.K. Witkofski, Union Grove
Hands-down the best pass-catcher in the Southern Lakes Conference, the 5-foot-10, 165-pound senior is a gifted football player.
An all-SLC first team pick, Witkofski hauled in 44 catches for 752 yards and eight touchdowns this season.
Witkofski had three 100-yard receiving games, and he saved his best for last.
In the team’s final game, he went off for eight catches, 220 yards and two scores against conference co-champ Badger.
Witkofski even ran for 143 yards and a touchdown.
Don’t be surprised if this guy is playing on Saturdays next fall.
Tyler Burzawa, Catholic Central
This all-Metro Classic first team receiver is similar to lightning in a bottle.
Though small, the explosive athlete can strike at any moment. Whether it was a screen, handoff or deep pass, Burzawa could take it to the house.
The 5-foot-11, 175-pound junior led the area with 791 receiving yards and grabbed 10 touchdown catches, including a game-winner against Thomas More.
Against Martin Luther, Burzawa caught four passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns. He caught at least four passes in 10 of 12 games, and his 16.8 yards-per-catch average was impressive.
Burzawa should be an even bigger threat next year.
Honorable mention: Luke Dahl, Burlington. Justin Steffens, Waterford. Jake Surges, Catholic Central. Jameson Radke, Union Grove.
TIGHT END
Tegan Miles, Catholic Central
The Toppers’ second-leading receiver with just over 300 yards, Miles is a physically intimidating presence at 6-foot-6.
He is equally effective blocking in the running game as he is in the passing game.
Miles caught two touchdown passes and had solid receiving games against Fall River and Lake Country Lutheran in the playoffs, combining for seven catches for 80 yards.
Look for Miles to tear up the basketball court this winter, as he should be Central’s leading scorer.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Alek Henderson, Waterford
The senior, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 260 pounds, was an absolute beast in the blocking game.
An all-SLC first team pick, he helped Waterford average 174.4 rushing yards per contest and helped Bauer run wild all season.
Waterford’s strong offensive line helped the boys finish 9-3, win their third straight conference title and advance to the third round of the playoffs.
Nick Mastrocola, Waterford
The 6-foot, 220-pound lineman wasn’t the biggest guy in the fight, but he was plenty quick.
Active on sweep and counter runs, often blocking 15 or 20 yards downfield, Mastrocola was a menace to opposing defenses.
He earned second team all-SLC honors.
Chris Runjo, Burlington
The two-year starter was a first team all-SLC pick in his senior season of 2013.
Although the Demons didn’t have a standout running back, the experienced offensive line helped the team manage 165.6 rushing yards per contest.
Burlington was in the playoff race until the very end, and it was largely due to its experienced, senior-led line.
Tyler Kirkeeng, Burlington
A second team all-SLC pick, Kirkeeng was also an honorable mention defensive lineman.
At 6-foot-1, 261 pounds, the beast mode never stopped for the two-way athlete. He could stop the run, rush the passer, and was effective offensively in the passing and running games.
Noah Mishleau, Union Grove
Even though they only mustered one victory, the Broncos offense was explosive at times.
While Pohjola and Witkofski were passing stars, Tate Koester racked up more than 700 rushing yards.
A lot of that was because of Mishleau and the strong offensive line.
At 5-foot-10, 260 pounds, the senior could pancake a defender with ease and had the ability to get out and run on complex running plays.
Honorable mention: Joe Homan, Catholic Central. Alec Wegge, Catholic Central. Clay Mamerow, Waterford. Luke Hesse, Burlington.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Riley Mann, Union Grove
The 6-foot, 160-pound senior may be on the small side, but he makes up for it with speed and determination.
Mann was part of a defense that held opponents to 69 passing yards per game.
Henderson, Waterford
Luke Hesse, Burlington
Hesse, a 6-foot-2, 243-pound stud on the defensive line, was a big reason not many teams were able to run on the Demons.
Teams ran for 175 yards per game against the Demons, but Burlington shut down Racine Horlick, Case, Waterford and Westosha Central for the most part.
With injuries on the offense, the defense kept the Demons in a lot of games.
Hesse was a key cog in stopping the run, earning second team all-SLC honors.
Carson Sloan, Waterford
Waterford made opposing running games virtually disappear on a regular basis in 2013, and Sloan was a big reason.
An honorable mention all-SLC pick, the 6-foot-3, 235-pound senior used his length and athleticism to menace the quarterback and stop the run.
Waterford shut down South Milwaukee and Greenfield’s offenses in the postseason, and it started with the line.
Also, during Waterford’s eight-game win streak, the defense only allowed nine points per game.
Honorable mention: Kirkeeng. Miles. Brett Gardner, Catholic Central. Mike Pinnow, Catholic Central.
Linebackers
Max Fisher, Waterford
The junior was named to the first team all-SLC defense. One of only three Waterford defenders to grace the first team, Fisher led a stingy defense that gave up only 114 rushing and 82 passing yards per game.
Fisher will no doubt be one of the leaders on the Wolverines in 2014.
Larry Meeks, Burlington
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior was a tackle machine.
A second team all-SLC pick, Meeks had big games against Waterford, Racine Horlick, Racine Case and Westosha Central, all Burlington victories.
The field general led by example for an underrated Burlington defense.
Yianni Skapinakis, Waterford
Along with Fisher, Skapinakis made a living out of stalking quarterbacks and blowing up running plays.
In the fourth quarter of a big victory over Burlington, Skapinakis was all over the field and shut down the Demon offense.
The senior earned second team all-SLC honors.
Honorable mention: Jeff Stemper, Catholic Central. Adam Oehlers, Catholic Central. Kresken, Catholic Central.
Defensive Backs
Luke Dahl, Burlington
Quicker than a hiccup, the 5-foot-10, 150-pound senior often shut down the opposing team’s best receiver.
In the mix for a few interceptions, Dahl was as stifling as a cornerback can be, utilizing his superior quickness and agility to beat his opponent to the spot.
Dahl was a first team all-SLC pick.
Justin Steffens, Waterford
With good size for a defensive back, the 6-foot, 185-pound senior could stay with a faster receiver and could flat-out light up a bigger running back.
The perfect combination of size and speed, Steffens was a first team all-SLC selection.
Tate Koester, Union Grove
The 5-foot-10, 185-pound speedster is a beast on the field.
A talented running back, Koester is even better defensively. He has a knack for the football, can go up and pick it off and isn’t afraid to lay the wood.
Koester is an honorable mention all-SLC pick.
Tyler Burzawa, Catholic Central
A ball-hawking free safety, Burzawa has the out-of-this-world speed to track down any ball.
The junior’s coming-out party was a pick-six in the playoff victory over Fall River that proved to be the dagger.
He can cover the other team’s best player one-on-one the entire game, then turn around and catch seven passes for 150 yards on offense.
Kicker
Brian Dankle, Burlington
The junior had a lethal leg, connecting on all three of his field goals.
His biggest boot was a 43-yard field goal in an upset victory over Racine Horlick.
Next year, Dankle will not only be the best kicker in the SLC, but he should be a talented wide receiver.
Honorable mention: Gonzalo Perez, Catholic Central
Punter
Dylan Malecki, Waterford
Honorable mention: Miles, Catholic Central.
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