New London to open season at Xavier

By Scott Bellile

The New London Bulldogs football team’s motto this year is simple. Finish.

“We want our players to finish every play, every quarter, every game,” coach Marc Marsh said. “In practice, we want them to finish each rep, each drill, each practice. We need to develop the mentality that we aren’t going to back down.”

The Bulldogs will seek their first win since 2014 and are coming off of a 2015 season where the number of seniors was in the single digits.

“It’s no secret that last year was a difficult year for us,” Marsh said of the 0-9 season. “We had to not only play, but start a lot of sophomores on both sides of the ball at the varsity level. To be honest, some of them weren’t ready for varsity football and it wasn’t the best situation for them. Success in high school football relies heavily on having upperclassmen filling out your depth charts. Fortunately this year, we will have upperclassmen playing on the varsity team.”

Tristan Piotter and Noah Crampton block Garrett Solberger Aug. 3 during the first week of football practice at New London High School. Scott Bellile Photo

He said upperclassmen to watch this year include junior Jack Noffke (quarterback, punter, kicker); junior Brayden Kurth (flanker, safety); junior Parker Fermanich (split end, safety); senior Remington Steele (fullback, linebacker); senior Tristan Piotter (linebacker); senior Garrett Solberg (guard, defensive tackle); senior Kyle Hawkins (defensive tackle); and junior Michael Salazar (tailback).

Marsh is feeling a confidence boost, as the predominantly young players that led last year’s team have returned and become upperclassmen. Additionally, 20 more players from all grade levels came out, so the Bulldogs are fielding their first freshman team in three seasons.

Players lifted weights in the offseason and practices are going well, according to Marsh.

“Our young kids from last year do have playing experience and know the expectations required to compete at the varsity level,” he said. “Before the season started, we talked about picking apart all of the teachable moments and little things they learned from last year to make them a better player this year. Once Aug. 1 rolled around, it started the new season and we’re not looking back. We are 0-0 just like every other team in the state.”

However, the team still needs to finish and it’s still going to butt heads with Bay Conference teams including Menasha, West De Pere and Seymour.

“We have great potential, but that means we haven’t done anything yet,” Marsh said. “We need to execute on Friday nights.”

New London 2016 Football Schedule

Varsity
Friday, Aug. 19 – at Xavier, 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 26 – vs. Green Bay East, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 2 – at Waupaca, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 9 – at Shawano, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 16 – vs. Menasha, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 23 – at Seymour, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 30 – vs. West De Pere, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 7 – vs. Green Bay West, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 14 – at Freedom, 7 p.m.

JV1 (Junior Varisty)
Monday, Aug. 22 – vs. Xavier, 5 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 29 – at Green Bay East, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 6 – vs. Waupaca, 5 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 12 – vs. Shawano, 5 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 19 – at Menasha, 5 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 26 – vs. Seymour, 5 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 3 – at West De Pere, 5 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 10 – at Green Bay West, 5 p.m.

JV2 (Freshman)
Thursday, Aug. 25 – at Green Bay East, 5 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 1 – vs. Waupaca, 4 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 8 – vs. Shawano, 5 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 15 – at Menasha, 5 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 22 – vs. Seymour, 5 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 29 – at West De Pere, 5 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 6 – at Green Bay West, 5 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 13 – at vs. Freedom, 5 p.m.

Middle School
Tuesday, Sept. 13 – at Seymour, 4:15 p.m. (Grade 8); vs. Seymour, 4:15 p.m. (Grade 7)
Tuesday, Sept. 20 – at Hortonville, 4:15 p.m. (Grade 8); vs. Hortonville, 4:15 p.m. (Grade 7)
Tuesday, Sept. 17 – vs. Clintonville, 4:15 p.m. (Grade 8); at Clintonville, 4:15 p.m. (Grade 7)
Tuesday, Oct. 4 – vs. Greenville, 4:15 p.m. (Grade 8); at Greenville, 4:15 p.m. (Grade 7)
Tuesday, Oct. 11 – at Waupaca, 4:15 p.m. (Grade 8); vs. Waupaca, 4:15 p.m. (Grade 7)