Team looking forward to seeing fans
By Greg Seubert
Not only did the Clintonville football team deal with COVID-19 last year, the Truckers also had a new coach and a new conference.
It all added up to a 1-5 overall record and an 0-4 mark in the Packerland Conference.
“We do need to improve and I think we’re getting better,” second-year coach Nick Winkler said. “We’re looking for daily improvement, even in the little things. It’s not only what you do on the field, it’s all the other things that surround the game. We have to continue to develop and keep working on that team unity. Everybody wants to do really well.”
Six of the Truckers’ games this season are against Packerland Conference opponents. The conference this year includes Bonduel, Kewaunee, Mishicot, Oconto, Peshtigo and Southern Door.
Next year, the Truckers will join the Northwoods Conference, which this year consists of Coleman, Crandon, Crivitz, Menominee Indian, Northern Elite, Northland Pines, Oconto Falls and Tomahawk.
Clintonville faced four Packerland teams – Bonduel, Mishicot, Oconto and Southern Door – last year.
“They all have really good players,” Winkler said. “Every one of them had an opportunity to be a contender in the conference. Now, we get a chance to play Kewaunee and I know they’re very good. I know every week in the Packerland is a very tough game.”
Any success the Truckers have will depend on several returning players, according to Winkler.
“I think our senior group is really good,” he said. “Braiden Behnke has done a nice job for us and Kole Rosenow is a big piece. As far as our linemen, Zach Spaulding and Jacob Malesa are going to do a good job for us. As our linebackers progress, I’ve really been impressed with Drake Lorge and some other guys like Bryce Cartwright, Kaine Killips, Jack Yaeger, Tyler Ferg. We’re doing a lot of really good things.”
Unlike last year, the Truckers have an opportunity to play in front of fans this season.
“Parents see their kids play and those moments are so important,” Winkler said. “It’s an opportunity to play in front of their parents, their friends, fans, the community. It makes you realize how special it is. It’s been a long time coming and they’re looking forward to it.
“We’ve talked about how much you have to appreciate these opportunities,” he said. “Every day is an opportunity to get out and compete. If anything, it teaches you how special they are and how fortunate we are to be able to get to do that.”
Clintonville 2021 Football Schedules
Varsity
Friday, Aug. 20 – at Green Bay West, 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 27 – vs. Oconto Falls 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 3 – vs. Mishicot, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 10 – at Kewaunee 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 17 – vs. St. John’s Northwestern Academies at Ingalls Field, Ripon, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 24 – at Southern Door, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 1 – at Bonduel, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 8 – vs. Peshtigo, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 15 – at Oconto, 7 p.m.
JV
Monday, Aug. 23 – at Oconto Falls, 5 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 30 – at Mishicot, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 7 – vs. Kewaunee, 4:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 13 – at Sturgeon Bay, 4:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 20 – vs. Southern Door, 4:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 27 – vs. Bonduel, 4:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 11 – vs. Oconto, 4:30 p.m.