Team Preview: Monroe Cheesemakers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monroe is coming off a dominant season that saw them make it to Level 4 of the WIAA State Playoffs in 2021. They finished with an 11-2 record, rushed for almost 5,000 yards, and put up nearly 32 points per game. That rushing number was good enough to be the second most rushing yards in the state, and the second most on a per game basis. It takes a special group of athletes to line up and produce snap after snap when the defense knows what is coming. That is what the 2021 Monroe Cheesemakers did.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That is what their goal is going to be in 2022 also. They are going to have to do it while replacing Badgers commit, JT Seagreaves who rushed for nearly 1,300 yards. However, Monroe is in good hands as they return several other key contributors and cornerstones from the 2021 season. They return two different 1,300+ yard rushers, a stud OL, and several other players. To make that next step, and compete for a State title, Monroe is going to have to continue their move as one offensive rushing attack that not only puts up numbers, but also controls the flow of the game. It won't be easy as Monroe plays in a strong conference that will have several talented teams standing between them and another conference title. Let's dive further into this team, their schedule, and players that the next level needs to know about!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>2021 Results (11-2, Lost in Playoffs- Level Four)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug 20: Beat Sauk Prairie 43-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug 27: Lost to Mount Horeb/Barneveld 28-29</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept 3: Beat Whitewater 42-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept 10: Beat Jefferson 18-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept 17: Beat Edgerton 28-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept 24: Beat East Troy 54-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct 1: Beat Evansville 42-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct 8: Beat McFarland 42-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct 15: Beat Edgewood 2-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct 22: Beat Whitnall 28-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct 29: Beat Greendale 42-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nov 5: Beat Jefferson 28-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nov 12: Lost to Pewaukee 14-28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Key Losses to Graduation</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>JT Seagreaves, TE/RB- 3rd Leading Rusher, Leading Receiver, Most Sacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liam Hermanson, LB- Leading Tackler</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aaron Roidt, DB- 3rd Leading Tackler, Leader in PBUs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Players to Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62e1bfbe14adc","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Alex Hernandez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Monroe","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The 5'10u0022 225 lbs fullback is a bowling ball built low to the ground with the contact balance to match. The downhill, north-south runner is able to both muscle his way for the tough yards, and has enough straight line speed to pick up chunks at a time. Alex reads his blocks on the interior quickly and hits the hole soon after he sees his block. His ability to consistently pick up yards is the motor that keeps the Monroe offense chugging along drive after drive. Big year coming for the incoming senior.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Keatin Sweeney","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Monroe","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Keatin is a great counter part to FB Hernandez. The 5'10u0022 180 lbs RB stretches the field horizontally, uses his vision to fin the designed seam, and the bursts through it. Once he gets through the line he demonstrates some physicality that allows him to always fall forward. D3 programs need to make sure they have him on their recruiting boards. Another monstrously productive year is on the way.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["304362"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The 6'4u0022 265 lbs OL is THE dominant fore in the trenches. He has the range to pull, and lead well down field where he is able to connect on his targets. He has a devastating punch that sends defenders to the grass. His power as a run blocker is overwhelming as he drives linemen off the ball with ease. Watching through his highlights it is clear that he is in a league of his own of the field. Navy is getting an impressive prospect in this one.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>More Players to Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62e1c08114adf","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Tucker Markham","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Monroe","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Sean Rufenacht","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Monroe","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Austin Fuchs","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Monroe","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>2022 Schedule/ Games to Circle</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aug 19 @ Beaver Dam</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monroe opens their season vs a new opponent for 2022. They didn't face Beaver Dam in 2021, so it will be interesting to see how they matchup. On paper they matchup well. Both teams lean heavily on their run game, and both return their top producers in their rushing attacks. Whoever can start this season off with the most stout defense, and can control the game with their dominant rushing attack should leave this game with the huge 1-0 start to their season. It is going to be a matchup with plenty of college talent on both sides.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aug 26 vs Mount Horeb/ Barneveld</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of only two official losses for Monroe in 2021 came from Mount Horeb/ Barneveld during Week 2 where they lost a 1 point battle in the closing minutes. Mount Horeb will need to replace their passing game contributors this season, but they return their top two rushers, as well as their top performing defender in [player_tooltip player_id='304530' first='Elijah' last='Krantz']. It is going to be key for Monroe to find a way to pressure the QB and slow down the passing game to be able to avenge the loss from last season. A win here would be a great momentum pickup on the way to a potentially undefeated record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sept 2 @ McFarland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sept 9 vs Evansville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sept 16 vs Jefferson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sept 23 @ Delavan- Darien</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sept 30 vs Edgerton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is an interesting, potentially sneaky, game. Edgerton struggled to a 2-7 record last year, but they gave Monroe a decent fight on the way to a Monroe 28-7 victory. The reason this could become an interesting game is because Edgerton returns key players and producers throughout their team. The leading rusher, passer, and top producing defender all return in 2022 for Edgerton. Last year, Edgerton led this game at the half. Monroe can't have another slow start this year vs a more experience team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oct 7 @ East Troy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oct 14 vs Whitewater</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Championship History</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>State Championships: 1986, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>State Runner Ups: 1987, 1995, 1996</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->