Comets seek success in Bay conference

The Waupaca Comets will try to rebound from a 2-7 campaign and a 2-5 record in the Bay conference to become eligible for the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

The maturation of the Comets is promising for the team as the players continue to define and grow into their individual roles.

“Last year and the year before we had a lot of young guys play, there haven’t been a lot of senior classes, so we’ve had a chance to see them play.” said Head Coach Bennett Hansen “This class has had 10 guys that started a varsity game as sophomores.”

In a wide-open conference, the Comets can gain wins and momentum in the Bay, which consists of Waupaca, Fox Valley Lutheran, New London, Seymour, Shawano, Winneconne, and Xavier.

“Our conference is tough, it’s one of the best conferences in the state for divisions our size, every week is a battle, and there’s no easy games week to week.” Coach Hansen said, “Every win has to be scraped out.”

The Comets return starters on offense as Xzaver Pittman, a 2022 Second-Team All-Conference running back who rushed for 946 yards and 11 touchdowns, will be joined in the backfield by versatile fullback Andre Hendrix, who was named Second-Team All-Conference in 2023.

“We have a lot of guys who have been on varsity and have the ability to compete, “Pittman said of team confidence “We’re looking really solid this year, we got a chance we just need to compete and ball out.”

Having experience in the backfield leads to a calm demeanor for the Comets on offense.

Coach Hansen on the experience of his backs “They can do a lot, they have a lot of experience, so things aren’t so fast for them and they can explain to the other guys how things are.”

The defense looks to replace Second-Team All-Conference members’ defensive linemen Cullen Frierdich and Trayse Hanson but still has Second-Team All-Conference linebacker Owen Hansen to lead the defense.

Hansen said, “We’re looking to be a little faster, looking to eliminate the self-inflicted wounds we had last year, play a clean game, play physical, and lean on our guys to make plays.”

The Waupaca Comets’ first game is at home against the Wrightstown Tigers on Friday, Aug. 23.