Team Preview: Wausau West

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wausau West is going to be a fun team to watch talent-wise, as well as seeing how the plan changes after a change at head coach. This summer, Matthew Johnson was named the new HC for West, so we may see some changes to the offense or defense. Whatever changes we see, there is a lot of talent, production, experience, and success on the roster to work with. It won’t be easy as they have to replace an ultra- productive RB, but they return key players on the OL, have several athletes that are going to step into new roles from where they were in 2021, and the confidence that comes with coming off an 8-2 record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year West is going to be looking to build on that 8-2 record after exiting the playoffs in a round one loss to Neenah. They are also building on their three way tie for the conference championship in 2021. This is a prime year for Wausau West to take over the conference. Rapids looks to be their toughest competition, but with teams like Hortonville, Stevens Point, and D.C. Everest looking to retool the window is open for Wausau West to take sole possession of the crown. I personally have high expectations for this team because they are so strong in the areas they try to win; that being the run game. Let’s dive further into the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>2021 Results (8-2 Record, Lost Round 1 of Playoffs)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug 20: Beat De Pere 38-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug 27: Beat Merrill 14-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept 3: Beat D.C. Everest 20-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept 10: Lost to Wisconsin Rapids 20-36</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept 17: Beat Wausau East 2-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept 24: Beat Marshfield 18-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct 1: Beat Stevens Point 41-22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct 8: Beat Appleton West 42-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct 15: Beat Hortonville 30-22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oct 22: Lost to Neenah 7-29</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Key Losses to Graduation</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jack Berens, QB- Leading Passer</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colton Geurink, RB- Leading Rusher</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reed Napiwocki, DB- Leading Tackler, Most TFLs, 2nd Leading Rusher</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Daveon Gillespie, DL- Leading Sack Artist</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Players to Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62df43b0f6375","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["104378"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Wausau West is home to the #1 uncommitted senior OL in WI. Brandt stands 6’5u0022 285 lbs, which is a big jump from when he was a TE two seasons ago. Despite the huge size difference from two years ago the athleticism remains. Brandt gets to the second level with ease, and can reach blocks, finishes with a nasty tenacity, and does a great job of playing with sound technique. The best part is tah the is raw in all things OL, so the sky is the limit. Rice holds several D1 offers. If you need OL, then it starts here.","_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":"Vince Hanz","_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":"6’2u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Wausau West","_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":"The 6’2u0022 195 lbs senior takes over completely at the QB position for West. They have been a run heavy team, but they will still need Vince to step up when needed with his talents, as well as as a leader. The key to his game as a passer are his touch, accuracy, and overall ball placement. Vince does a reliable job at finding ways to get the ball to where only his guy can get it. That will be huge for West this fall, and it has already earned him some D3 interest and offers. Name to watch for those schools.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["331065"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"We began with the former TE, and end with the newest TE. Bryce stands 6’3u0022 240 lbs. That frame is next level ready, and you can bet Bryce will be able to step in as a run blocker early in his college career with how much experience he will have. Lucky for us, we still have two seasons of watching the big man catch passes and clear running lanes. Bryce runs a 4.83 40, and performed well at the Prep Redzone WI Prospect Tour this spring. As a blocker, Bryce has the range to pull across the line to kick out, and he has the power to drive an edge defender off the ball. In the passing game, Bryce does his damage in the  short game where he can break tackles and pick up the tough yards after the catch. I’m excited to watch him live.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>More Names to Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62df5144f6378","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["232612"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["372683"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","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":"Gage Monpas","_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":"2411","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Wausau West","_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":["383775"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>2022 Schedule/ Games to Circle</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aug 19 vs Superior</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aug 25 @ De Pere</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is going to be one of the premier matchups in the state during Week Two. Both teams should have high expectations heading into 2022. This will be the final matchup of the season before conference play kicks off in Week 3, so it would be huge to go into that with a win vs a top non-conference foe. Last year, WW started off their season with a bang by running all over the De Pere defense. Both teams have key pieces to replace, but they should also both have a solid grasp on what to expect from the other. So, we should see each team’s best shot. This will be a good collection of next level talent in one place.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sept 2 vs Wisconsin Rapids</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barring something unforeseen, this will be the game I attend during Week 3. This is going to be a must win for both teams. Both teams are blessed with next level talent on both sides of the ball. They are conference rivals. They tied for the championship in 2021. Rapids took the victory in 2021, so you can expect Wausau West to be looking to get even this year. This has everything you could want in an early season matchup. Conference implications. Two fo the bets teams in the conference. Talent abound. I can’t wait to be at this one live!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sept 9 @ Kingsford (MI)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sept 16 vs Marshfield</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sept 23 @ Stevens Point</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sept 30 @ Appleton West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oct 7 Vs Hortonville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oct 14 vs D.C. Everest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is going to be a huge matchup. Depending on the Rapids result, this game could decide if Wausau West finishes as a conference champion or not. Everest is a historically successful program, and they have a few solid athletes that will give Wausau West trouble. West will need to come out, and win in the trenches if they want to bring home the W as they look to be in position to make the playoffs, and go into them on a positive note. I believe that West has the pieces to bring home a conference championship that they have sole possession of in 2022. This is the final step in making that happen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Championship History</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Championships: N/A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Runner Ups: N/A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->