Manawa roster filled with inexperience
By Greg Seubert
“Growing Pains” was one of the most popular television shows of the 1980s.
Those two words can also be used to describe the 2021 version of the Manawa football team.
Coach Brad Johnson will work with a team that has to replace Mason Wiesner, a first-team all-conference punter and second team quarterback, defensive back and kicker; Riley Krenke, a first team wide receiver and honorable mention linebacker; Andrew Elmhorst, a first team offensive lineman and second team defensive lineman; Colin Moser, a first team linebacker and second team offensive lineman; and Deion Stroud, a first team defensive lineman and second team running back.
“We’re only returning a couple starters each way, we’re really young and our numbers are low,” Johnson said. “We kind of knew it was going to be a year of growth. The guys that played for us last year, they started for three or four years. Now, we have guys that have never been on the field. It takes time. Our numbers are low and that makes it tough, but everyone’s dealing with that. It’ll be all right.”
Johnson coached the Wolves to a 4-4 record last season, including a 38-26 loss to Bonduel in the second round of the playoffs.
Manawa is back in the Central Wisconsin Conference-Large this season, a conference that also includes Stratford, Amherst and Shiocton, three teams that have played for a state championship from 2011-19.
“They’re going to come with a plan and we’re going to come with ours,” Johnson said. “If we execute better, we’ll win. If we don’t, we’ll lose. That’s the way it goes.”
Although the Wolves are starting from scratch with several skill positions, there are a handful of players that saw time last season, including junior Tanner Nienhaus, an honorable mention all-conference defensive back; senior Louie Niemuth, an honorable mention all-conference defensive lineman; senior lineman Alex Meidl; senior wide receiver/defensive backs Grant Bristol and Conner Scheid; and junior lineman Brandon Bierman.
“Other than that, there’s literally no one else with experience,” Johnson said. “They’re willing to buy into whatever we’re doing. It’s just going to take time. You come to work each day and that’s part of the job. Good things can happen there, but there’s lots to work on, though.”
The Wolves will open the season at home at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, with a nonconference game against Markesan.
“We just want to put ourselves in a position to win drives, win quarters, win halves and the scoreboard will take care of itself,” Johnson said. “It’s the little things: shedding blocks, aligning correctly and knowing your responsibilities. Those are the things that you have to fix because if you don’t know your assignment, you’re screwed.
“It’s finding successes and winning the little battles,” he said. “That’s what football and life are all about.”
Manawa 2021 Football Schedules
Varsity
Friday, Aug. 20 – vs. Markesan, 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 27 – at Green Bay West 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 3 – at Stratford, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 10 – vs. Nekoosa, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 17 – at Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 24 – at Shiocton, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 1 – vs. Spencer/Columbus Catholic, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 8 – at Amherst, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 15 – vs. Weyauwega-Fremont, 7 p.m.
JV
Monday, Aug. 23 – at Markesan, 6 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 30 – at Weyauwega-Fremont, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 7 – vs. Stratford, 4:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 13 – at Nekoosa, 4:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 20 – vs. Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 4:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 27 – vs. Shiocton, 4:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 4 – at Spencer/Columbus Catholic, 4:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 11 – vs. Amherst, 4:30 p.m.