Playoff Bound? Baraboo Thunderbirds Preview
My dive into the Baraboo Thunderbirds has me excited for the potential of their 2022 season. Baraboo made a deep run at a State Title in 2021. They finished the season 9-3 with a loss in Level Three of the…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingMy dive into the Baraboo Thunderbirds has me excited for the potential of their 2022 season. Baraboo made a deep run at a State Title in 2021. They finished the season 9-3 with a loss in Level Three of the playoffs. A quick look might have you thinking it is time to rebuild after the loss of Badgers commit Luna Larson, and several other graduating seniors. Seniors that led the team in rushing, passing, receiving, Tackles, TFLs, sacks, and INTs.
The way you replace that type of lost production is by winning the battle in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Baraboo has multiple athletes coming up through the program who are going to be able to do that. We will look at those athletes in a couple sections below. Another way to not experience a big drop off is to have a signal caller in place to take over for the previous QB. Baraboo has that as well. Of course, I’m not expecting the new QB to have as much of an impact as Luna Larson had, but it is great to not have a question mark at the QB position. Baraboo is going to look very different this fall, but I believe they have the pieces to remain successful in 2022. Let’s take a look at their 2021 season, and then look ahead to this fall.
2021 Results (9-3 Record, Lost in Level Three Playoffs)
Aug 20: Beat Onalaska 28-21
Aug 27: Beat Madison East 44-6
Sept 3: Beat Monona Grove 34-14
Sept 10: Beat Stoughton 17-0
Sept 18: Beat Mount Horeb/ Barneveld 14-13
Sept 24: Lost to Fort Atkinson 6-27
Oct 1: Lost to Reedsburg 20-21
Oct 8: Beat Sauk Prairie 28-19
Oct 15: Beat Portage 34-19
Oct 22: Beat Rhinelander 13-7
Oct 29: Beat Mosinee 35-28
Nov 5: Lost to Rice Lake 13-29
Key losses to Graduation
Luna Larson, QB/LB- Leading Passer, Rusher, Sack Artist, TFLs, 2nd Most Tackles
Kane Mahoney, RB/LB- 2nd Leading Rusher
Gabe Fitzwilliams, LB Leading Tackler
Brady Henry, WR- Leading Receiver
Players to Watch
Luke Vittengl
Luke Vittengl
Last year, Luke primarily lined up at WR and DB. This year, he looks in position to take over at QB. That experience at WR and DB instantly tells me that he is going to be a dual threat option. Having that running threat always puts extra pressure on defenses. Having that in his back pocket will help open up the field in the passing game as well. As a passer, Luke has a compact release that gets the ball out quickly. He can deliver accurate passes from the pocket and on the run. I’m looking forward to tracking the junior’s year at QB.
Ross Liegel
Ross Liegel
Ross is one of the athletes who is going to help Baraboo win the trench battle. He possesses elite length at 6’7″ to go along with 210 lbs. He has some filling out to do, and when he does good luck to those trying to block him. The long striding DE eats up ground as he closes quickly in the backfield. This past season, Ross won reps with a high motor and get off. As he learns more technique and hand fighting he will transform into an even more daunting edge defender to block. Look for big numbers from the edge setter.
I’m so excited to watch the breakout of Kyle this fall. He has put on about 15 lbs this offseason putting him at 250 lbs. He is just starting to fill out a frame that looks D1 level. Looking back at his sophomore tape, Kyle impressed me with his body control and agility which allowed him to quickly slide and position himself to have the leverage advantage. Even while engaged in a block. He clearly overpowers defenders at 235, so at 250 lbs it is safe to bet that he will be bulldozing dudes this fall. Get on this dude early because everyone will be eventually. Stud in the making!
Highlights
More Players to Know
Haeden Bowar
Haeden Bowar
Teflon Lee
Teflon Lee
Highlights
Highlights
2022 Schedule/ Games to Circle
Aug 19 @ Sauk Prairie
Aug 26 vs Beaver Dam
It won’t take us long to see how ready Baraboo is to make a run at a winning season. Beaver Dam returns a dangerous QB-RB tandem on offense that will control a game if they get the chance to. Baraboo will need to come out quickly and win the battle in the trenches from the start. As mentioned above, they have the pieces to do so. This game will also give us a look at how quickly Baraboo’s new producers on offensive and defense are able to step into their larger roles. It an be hard to get so many new athletes on the same page early, but if they can do it they will be well on their way to a great start to the season.
Sept 2 @ Tomah
Sept 9 vs Holmen
Sept 16 @ La Crosse Central
Sept 23 vs La Crosse Logan
Sept 30 @ Reedsburg
These two battled to a tough 1 point final score. Reedsburg left on top in that one after trailing at the half. Both teams have a lot to replace heading into the season, but by this point of the season things have to be running smoothly. Reedsburg is lucky enough to return their QB from last season, but they lose their top two leading rushers, and receivers. These two always play each other very hard. It doesn’t matter the records. Reedsburg finished 2-7 last year, and still got the victory. It will all be about who wants it more.
Oct 7 vs Onalaska
Oct 14 vs Sparta
This conference is going to be an absolute slug fest. There is an argument for 5+ teams to bring home the title. This matchup could be the one that decides who gets the crown. Sparta fields an RB/ATH that is electric with the ball, and they have one of the best 2024 QBs in the state. Barring injury, both teams are going to be running on all cylinders. If things go as I believe they can for both teams then this might be my Week 9 game that I attend live. There’s impressive athletes on both sides of the ball, and the stakes could be very high.
Championship History
Championships: N/A
Runner Ups: N/A