Making playoffs no longer enough for Elks
By Chris Bennett
Correspondent
Advancing to the WIAA Division 3 postseason playoffs is no longer enough for the Elkhorn Area High School football team.
The team has been there, done that and can show you the T-shirt – two of them, for each of the past two seasons.
The Elks won a share of the Southern Lakes Conference title last season for the first time in coach Tom Lee’s seven-year tenure. Elkhorn advanced to the playoffs and lost 28-14 to Reedsburg in a Level 1 playoff game.
“The kids want it a little more,” Lee said. “We lost our first playoff game the last two years. We’ve got to win one of these playoff games and move from there.”
Increased speed and strength, driven by the desire to improve on the results of the last two seasons, makes Lee optimistic the Elks’ ascent in the SLC might continue.
The Elks open their 2015 season Friday at home against non-conference foe Waukesha North. North plays in the Waukesha County-based Classic 8 Conference. North went 2-7 overall and finished winless in the Classic 8 in 2014.
The Elks team that takes the field Friday is a young team stocked with speed and strength. Lee said the Elks’ offseason strength and conditioning program went well, and should show dividends.
For the first time in several years the Elks start the season with experience at the quarterback position. Dylan Peterson took over at quarterback last season and led the Elks to a 35-7 victory Oct. 3 at Union Grove. Peterson finished 3-1 as a starter.
“He can throw the ball, and is football smart,” Lee said. “He knows the game and understands what you’re talking about when you talk defensive fronts and coverages. His football IQ is very high.”
A six-headed beast lines up behind Peterson in the offensive backfield. Starting fullback Jordan Barr returns. So does halfback Konnor Mohr. Joining Barr and Mohr are Ryan Schilts, Tyler Robers, Bryce Jacobson and Danner Way.
Jake Trewyn will start at tight end, and Jordan Andrews will also see time. Carm Consolino, Braeden Mohr, Shane Piasecki and Will Pyle form the bulk of the Elks’ wide receiver corps.
Richie Heidemann at tackle and Noah Petrasek at guard combine for a formidable left side of the offensive line. Kyle Smith at center, Trey Howes at right guard and either John Ames or AJ Russel at right tackle will also start. Keith Williams will likely also see playing time.
Whoever does not start between Ames and Russel will still see playing time. Lee said most of the Elks’ offensive linemen will play on the defensive line, with Hawes, Heidemann and Petrasek starting both ways.
“We’re going to have to do some rotating,” Lee said of the Elks’ offensive line. “All of those guys, at some point, are going to be playing on the other side of the ball.”
In the defensive backfield, Konnor Mohr and Braeden Mohr will start at cornerback.
Schilts played inside linebacker last season and will start at safety this year. Jacobson will also start at safety.
Robers and Barr will line up at inside linebacker, and Trewyn, Way and Jack Hodny will play outside linebacker. The Elks’ base alignment is a 3-4.
On special teams, Peterson will punt and Konnor Mohr, Will Pyle or Carm Consolino will kick extra points and field goals. Pyle, Heidemann and Jordan will kick-off.
The Elks shared the SLC title last season with Burlington, Waterford and Wilmot. Lee said Waterford will again be tough, and said Badger will also be improved. Lee said the Elks expect to compete for the SLC title again this season.
After opening against North, the Elks travel to East Troy Aug. 28 for another non-conference contest.
The Elks play rival Delavan-Darien in their SLC opener Sept. 4 at home. In SLC action, the Elks play home games Sept. 18 against Waterford, Sept. 25 against Union Grove and Oct. 9 against Burlington.
The Sept. 25 contest against Union Grove is Elkhorn’s Homecoming.
The Elks play SLC road games Sept. 11 at Wilmot, Oct. 2 at Badger and Oct. 16 at Westosha Central.
The WIAA Division 3 playoffs start Oct. 23. Teams with a winning record in conference play qualify for the playoffs.
Teams that finish 3-4 in conference play can still sneak into the postseason.
