Team enjoys strong offseason
By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
The Union Grove football squad started off year two of the Jordan Hein era in style Friday night.
Playing at home against Evansville, the Broncos led 19-0 at the half and cruised to a 25-6 nonconference victory behind Jameson Radke’s three touchdown catches.
The Grove got two scoring passes each from Matt Nelson and Zac Melendrez.
The Broncos racked up 233 yards on the ground, led by Travis Cadd’s 97 yards. Toby Rode added 89 yards on 13 carries.
Radke, who will be one of the top receivers in the Southern Lakes Conference this season, scored on plays of 55, 23 and 17 yards. Matt Torres added a touchdown reception.
In other area action, Waterford edged Pewaukee thanks in part to a missed extra point, 14-13. Also, in Burlington, the Demons came back from a 19-0 deficit to take a 27-26 lead in the fourth quarter, but ultimately fell to visiting Racine Case, 44-34.
Also, Catholic Central went on the road and shut out Whitewater, 21-0.
Check out this week’s Burlington Standard Press, Waterford Post and Westine Report for more from these teams.
Also, check out the Standard Press Sports page on Facebook for area sports photos, and follow Sports Editor Mike Ramczyk on Twitter @mikeramczyk17 for highlights from last night’s games.
SEASON PREVIEW: Broncos hungry for more
In 2013, the Broncos finished 1-8 under first-year head coach Jordan Hein.
It must have been a rough season ripe with lopsided victories, right?
Wrong.
The Broncos only lost by an average of seven points per game. They just didn’t know how to win.
Hein, a former defensive lineman for the University of Wisconsin, said the kids are still learning to win and are not satisfied with last season’s result.
With 80 kids in the program this fall, there’s plenty of optimism after a dedicated summer.
“It was the best offseason I’ve seen in my five years here,” Hein said. “A lot of kids are working hard, and a lot are buying in. We had 65 kids in our offseason program. We are working around athletes’ spring sports, and they are buying into our year-round program. A lot of our best players are competing in several sports.”
The Broncos have quite the task in front of them this fall – replace a group of 15 seniors that Hein called “special,” including eight starters.
Union Grove must find a way to cope after losing last year’s leading passer, rusher and receiver.
Quarterback Kyle Pohjola, who threw for 1,300 yards, is now playing at Carroll College, and J.K. Witkofski, the conference’s leading receiver with 750 yards and eight touchdowns a year ago, is playing at St. Thomas, Minn.
Throw in the loss of Tate Koester, who ran for 465 yards, and the Broncos have their hands full.
But Pohjola and Witkofski are Broncos for life, according to Hein. The dynamic duo spent the majority of their summer working with Union Grove’s younger players. Hein said the two have become an extension of the coaching staff.
The guy who lined up on the other side of Witkofski last year was receiver Jameson Radke. This year, the honorable mention all-SLC pick is poised to have a breakout season.
“We are excited about him,” Hein said. “He had a tremendous offseason and we expect big things.”
At quarterback, the Broncos are going with a youth movement. Matt Nelson, a 6-foot, 175-pound sophomore, will be the starter. Under the tutelage of former Bronco star quarterback Craig McClelland, the team’s offensive coordinator, Nelson attended several camps in the summer and has committed to his strength and footwork.
Nelson tacked on 20 pounds from last season and soaking up anything and everything from McClelland, who currently stars at quarterback for the Racine Raiders.
“Matt has a very strong arm and throws a good deep ball,” Hein said. “He has more explosiveness and makes smart decisions.”
“With McClelland full-time, you can immediately see a change. He’s a very intelligent coordinator.”
The Broncos return six starters on offense and five on defense.
Hein is very high on sophomore Jake Kies, a “jack-of-all-trades” who will play linebacker, nose tackle, fullback and guard.
“He’s a total team guy,” Hein said. “He’s a great athlete and a good football player. He possesses some things you can’t coach.”
Key returners include Jake Knight (C), Adam Braley (FB/LB), Evan Storm-Voltz (DE/OT), Toby Robe (DB/RB) and Joe Petersen (WR/DB).
At running back, junior T.J. Cadd will try to fill the big shoes of Koester. Hein said it will be the first full season for Cadd, who is a north-south runner. Hein said Cadd is very driven.
“We will have a good mix of passing and rushing, and we have a strong receiving corps,” Hein said. “We will look to control the ball and score more points than last year.”
Hein said that players are ready to put last year behind and improve.
“The kids are ready and willing,” he said. “The general attitude is better. We’re not huge up front, but there’s decent speed and athletes. The younger kids are ready to step up.”
Hein said the team’s youth is its biggest weakness. He said it will be hard without the experience of Koester, Pohjola and Witkofski.
Luckily, last year’s seniors passed the leadership torch to this year’s bunch, especially Radke and Storm-Voltz.
Hein said there will be a lot of breakout players in the Southern Lakes this season after so much graduation. He said Waterford and Badger are the teams to beat.
As for Friday’s home opener against Evansville, Hein is raring to go.
“I’m looking forward to that Friday Night Lights feeling,” he said. “I’m excited to see the hard work pay off.”
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