This story is sponsored by: The Marshfield Tiger Booster Club
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MARSHFIELD – Admittedly, Marshfield coach Denny Goettl said the Tigers were lucky to earn a playoff spot last season after going 4-5 in the regular season – which included a forfeit victory.
However, he said he was pleased with the extra week of play despite losing to eventual Division 2 state champion Waunakee 54-14 and thought the experience in the postseason was invaluable to a team that featured a number of underclassmen.
Marshfield opens its 2022 season on Thursday at home with a nonconference game against Hudson.
“I think it was tremendous,” Goettl said of the playoff berth a year ago. “Yes, we got in as a gift, whatever, but anytime you get to play another game is remarkable for these guys. Our quarterback (Trevor Foemmel) had his best game of his tenure playing against a team that won the title. They got to see a really good team.”
Foemmel returns to lead the Tigers’ offense that struggled at times last season, scoring less than 10 points on four occasions. He finished with 769 yards passing and six touchdowns and interceptions, and also rushed for 341 yards and a team-high high four TDs.
The Tigers will look to incorporate the running game a little more this season as the current construction of the roster is low on receivers, but high on some other positions.
“We’re trying to install a bunch of new stuff because of new personnel and new players on our team,” Goettl said. “It’s new, but it’s old. We’re doing some things we’ve done in the past, different formations working with different groups of kids.
“We don’t have a ton of wide receivers, but we have some bigger tight ends and fullbacks, so you have to work with what you’ve got. We’re doing some things that are maybe a little more run-heavy and we’re trying to get some play-action and our linemen working together.”
Three seniors return after earning honorable mention all-Valley Football Association accolades last season. Defensive end Isaac Dagit had 51 tackles, including six for loss, defensive lineman Adrian Krueger finishing with 33 tackles and two sacks, and offensive lineman Noah Peterson was a regular starter for the Tigers in 2021.
Running backs Jeff Marsh and Garrett Willuweit both saw considerable action last season as well, combining for nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns, and receiver Luke LeMoine is also back after averaging nearly 20 yards per catch in limited action.
“We’ve got a bunch of seniors, so it should be better,” Goettl said. “We’re pretty thin at some spots and just like any team, injuries stink. We could use more linemen, we don’t have to play guys both ways, yet. The staff is moving and flying like they always do, and the kids are getting better.”
The VFA will be tough again, with Wisconsin Rapids, D.C. Everest, Stevens Point and Wausau West all bringing back a number of key players after playoff runs a year ago.
“I’m hoping and praying that we have a good season, barring injuries,” Goettl said. “I think we have a nice group of kids. We had a lot of juniors playing last year, now their seniors. We know Everest is going to be good, SPASH is going to be good, Rapids is going to be good, West will be too. We’re going to compete and hope the guys know they have to compete, because it’s not going to be easy.”
Marshfield Football Schedule
Thur., Aug. 18 HUDSON, 7 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 26 at Slinger, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 2 TBA
Fri., Sept. 9 D.C. EVEREST, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 16 at Wausau West, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 23 APPLETON WEST, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 30 WISCONSIN RAPIDS, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 7 at Stevens Point, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 14 at Hortonville, 7 p.m.
Home games in CAPS, at Heiting Community Stadium, Marshfield High School