KFIZ Sports Two-a-Days : Waupun Warriors

Second-year coach Ethan Kintzler looks to continue to build
the Waupun football team in 2018. The Warriors are riding a playoff drought
that dates back to 2007, and finished the 2017 season with a 2-7 overall record
and a 2-5 mark in the East Central Conference. Despite the disappointing
record, Kintzler says there were some positives to take away from last season. “Last
year was a really good year as far as setting the tone for how I like to do
things and for what I bring to the table and laying that foundation for what I
want the program to be” Kintzler said.

As for how to turn around the fortunes for Warrior football,
Kintzler says they need to “make football fun again. Nobody likes losing and nobody
likes losing a lot, so it doesn’t help you as far as the attention or enthusiasm
around the program.” He adds that bringing a positive attitude back to the
football program is key and he hopes to bring athletes who aren’t playing
football out onto the team to build a successful program.

2018 already has one challenge for the Warriors, as
starting quarterback Reece Homan was injured playing baseball and will miss the
season. KIntzler tells us Blake Dobbratz, a receiver last year, along with
Carson Bresser will compete for the job in Homan’s absence. Kintzler also
mentions Bennett Veleke, the team’s leading receiver last year as a key returner
for the Warriors. “We lost quite a bit of starters almost everywhere else, so
we’re looking to fill some spots, but it’s a great opportunity for us to preach
and teach the ‘next-man-up’ mentality.” Kintzler said. On defense, Kintzler identifies
Sam Respalje and Jalen Peters as impact players for the Warriors.

Kintzler says the East Central Conference is a tough league
and that “makes the need to be good and effective and efficient that much
higher.” He adds that teams like Kewaskum Berlin and Plymouth are the top teams
until someone takes them down, and that it should be an interesting season for
the league.

2018 Waupun Schedule:

8/17: At Kiel

8/24: New Holstein

8/31: Kettle Moraine Lutheran

9/7: At Berlin

9/14: Ripon

9/21: At Winneconne

9/28: Campbellsport

10/5: At Kewaskum

10/12: Plymouth