By Dan Truttschel
Sports Correspondent
It’s been two years since I was on the football coaching staff at Big Foot High School, but every chance I get to go back and see the Chiefs in action, it’s certainly an opportunity I enjoy.
And now that I’m on the outside looking in, it’s easy to see why the Chiefs have been and continue to be one of the premier programs in the state.
The run since the arrival of head coach Rodney Wedig has been nothing short of amazing. Much has been written by me and others through the years that highlights why he’s one of the best.
But it’s all true – believe me.
Even though visiting Platteville stunned the top-ranked Chiefs 7-2 in Friday’s Level 3 game to end their 2013 season, that loss can’t take away all that this program accomplished, not only this year, but in previous ones.
Seeing Big Foot fall was especially difficult for me, as the seniors who now officially are alumni of the program were just sophomores during my first of two seasons with the team.
I can remember those kids as young, budding football players – and what I saw Friday night were a group of now veteran seniors putting their guts on the line in pursuit of another trip to Camp Randall and the state finals.
Unfortunately, they fell just short to a talented and probably under-ranked Platteville team. Coming into the game, the Hillmen sported just a 7-4 record, but two of those losses came to perennial powerhouse Lancaster.
I knew before I stepped onto the sidelines Friday that Platteville would provide a stern test to the Chiefs. Wedig told me the same thing, as did other coaches I talked to in the days leading to the game.
The bottom line is there are no fluke teams at Level 3. Every program that gets to that game deserves to be there, and Platteville was no different.
But again, that doesn’t take away from what the Chiefs accomplished. A program doesn’t get to the state finals three times by accident.
Whether this program can maintain its level of success remains to be seen. A number of very talented seniors will be heading out the door and onto the next chapter of their lives come spring.
But that happens every year. Good players and good kids move on after each season. Last year’s team lost several young men who now are doing their thing on the college level, and yet the Chiefs spent the entire season on top of the Division 4 poll.
At the end of the day, it really comes down to coaching and developing talent, and Big Foot, in my opinion, has one of the best head coaches in the business in Wedig.
Wedig and his staff led a resurgence from the land of nowhere to a state title and two state runner-ups. That isn’t by accident and it certainly isn’t by luck.
Sure a team can capture lightning in a bottle one time. Superbly talented classes do come around and can lead a team to the promised land one time.
But consistency, especially at the small-school level, is extremely hard to find. One poor class can send a program into a quick downward spiral.
It hasn’t happened in Wedig’s tenure, and if I know the coach like I think I do, it won’t happen on his watch. The bar is too high at this little school for things to come crashing down.
That doesn’t mean I’m predicting more state title appearances in the near future, because those just don’t grow on trees. Getting to the pinnacle takes a lot of different parts all coming together at the right time.
But I would be shocked – completely shocked in fact – if the Chiefs didn’t just restock the cupboard next year and keep on chugging. New faces in new places for sure, but one thing is likely to be certain.
And that’s the Chiefs will be back. Last week was a stunner for sure, but Wedig, his assistants and the returning kids will pick up the pieces, correct the mistakes and get back to work soon.
Of that I have no doubt.
