This story is sponsored by Forward Financial Bank
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
STRATFORD – The Stratford football team went through some growing pains last season with a slew of new starters at nearly every position.
Even with an inexperienced group, the Tigers managed a 7-4 record, including a 6-2 mark and a tie for second place in the Marawood Conference, and a playoff win over Grantsburg before losing to eventual Division 5 state champion Colby 28-13 in a Level 2 matchup.
This season the Tigers are poised to build off that experience as they bring back nearly all of their offensive and defensive playmakers.
“We’re trying to get back to the old Stratford tradition, trying to get back to Madison and win a conference championship,” senior running back/cornerback Travis Urlaub said. “We haven’t won a conference championship in four or five years now, so we’re just trying to get back to that tradition.”
Urlaub led the Marawood with 992 rushing yards and was second in the conference with 15 touchdowns while averaging an astounding 9.5 yards per carry.
Throw in Eli Temanson (521 rushing yards) and Greg Belter (226 yards rushing), and Stratford’s running game should be as good as any in the conference.
“We’re really athletic,” Urlaub said. “We’re going to really good and running the ball, and, I think, passing it too. Our quarterback is really good.”
Head coach Cal Tackes, who said he will be retiring from coaching after this, his 24th year at the helm for Stratford, said he expects the Tigers offense to be clicking right away this season.
“Anytime you return your entire backfield, you’ve got to feel pretty confident,” Tackes said. “It’s probably our deepest position. We have some young kids that are ready to go but might not get the opportunities that they would like. Our No. 1 guys all know their responsibilities, they are good receivers. They are good runners.”
Drew Spaeth, who started a handful of games after an injury to starter Nolan Bargender, returns as the Tigers quarterback. Spaeth threw for only 174 yards during conference play, but gained valuable experience in leading his team.
Spaeth’s return has allowed Bargender to move to offensive end, giving him a big target to replace graduated wideout Derek Austin, who was the Tigers leading receiver a year ago.
“Drew stepped in when Nolan got hurt last year and I thought he did very well then,” lineman Austin Hoffman said. “He’s a junior this year and he’s getting used to it, and he’ll make good decisions and do well.”
Defensively, Urlaub moves from linebacker to corner, with Bargender switching from corner to linebacker. Hoffman, who played middle linebacker last year, will see more time on the line this season, providing Stratford with a little more speed at the new positions. Junior outside linebacker Davis Drews also returns after earning first-team all-conference honors.
“We had our days last year where we looked good then we had our days where we made foolish mistakes,” Tackes said. “It was probably our most inconsistent year on the defensive side – we gave up way too many big plays. We now have the experience, we’ve moved some guys around. Everybody that’s playing defense started at one time or another last year. We lost some size, but we’re in a position to be quicker and more aggressive and physical. I think we’re going to be better that way.”
Stratford opens its season Friday at home against Phillips.