Newsline 9 Sports Blog

Winter Sports Ready for Big Finishes

Here we are, looking February (and a big blizzard) straight in the eye.  That means WIAA state tournaments are almost here.  The Marawood already had its wrestling conference meet with others coming up this weekend.  Big props to Marathon for crowing two individual champions.  The Raiders wrestled as an independant this year after fielding a varsity squad for the first time in 20  years. 

The Wisconsin Valley Girls Basketball conference race is down to three teams, with Wausau West just a game back.  Elsewhere, Amherst is doing everything it can to make its third straight state tournament appearance.  They're undefeated, just like Edgar was until last night.  Stevens Point leads the way for the boys with a top ten state ranking.  Remember the girls state tournament follows the boys this year and you can see every single state tournament game right here on TV9 and 34.

This is the time for us at TV9 and 34 to really focus in on those tournament runs.  We're running features on the UW-Stevens Point men's and women's hockey teams.  The men just tied top-ranked St Norbert and are riding a nine-game unbeaten streak.  The women are ranked second in the nation and have not lost all year.  Their record is 15-0-1 overall.  The guys stories are being told at 6 and 10 Monday, the women are scheduled for 6 and 10 Wednesday.  We know how good the Pointer basketball teams are traditionally.  The men were just knocked out of a four-game first place tie.  The women let one slip away at Eau Claire last week Wednesday then shot poorly early on at Oshkosh Saturday for a second straight loss.  If we know anything about Shirley Egner's teams, they'll be tournament ready when the time comes.

The Badger State Games are already underway with a big celebration coming up this Saturday, February 2.  Now throw in the snowmboling, ice skating and skiing people take part in around here.

So with all that going on, what do you think are the biggest winter stories going on now?  Let us know by adding a comment or sending an email directly to sports@waow.com

Packers Season Comes to Sudden End

What a weird feeling it's been around here the last few days.  Pack Attack had a quiet, tame feel to it beforehand. Of course that changed during the show because those fans are die-hard.  Packer backers had so many high hopes going into the NFC Title Game and just like that... it's over.  You can go back and question plays and decisions... do it over and over... and the fact remains the Packers missed out on a huge opportunity to get to the Super Bowl.  Older players tell the younger ones to savor the moment because you never know when it'll happen again.  We can predict all we want about how the Packers will be next year but no one knows if they'll reach this level again.  Certainly if Brett Favre comes back (and it seems more likely to me now than the last few years) he's surrounded by a strong nucleus.  Think of how far James Jones, Greg Jennings and Ryan Grant have come in such a short time.  Mason Crosby led the league in scoring. 

Now Packer fans wonder how they'll pass the time when Sunday rolls around.  Do you cheer for the Giants because that's the team that knocked Green Bay out?  Or do you pull for the Patriots and the history that goes along with it? 

Ted Thompson earned his 5-year contract extension for what he did in the draft the last few Aprils.  Mike McCarthy earned his 5-year deal for what he did with those players from mini-camp through training camp and to the verge of the Super Bowl.  Now we wait 'til next year.

Q and A With Stevens Point's Mitch Sutton on his Commitment to North Dakota

Why did you choose North Dakota?

Mitch:

I choose UND because if just felt right.  When I went on the visit I really felt like I was wanted there.

Your Head Coach, Pete McAdams said they were pretty high on you.  What does that mean to you and how did that factor in to your decision?

Mitch: It makes me feel all the better knowing that they believe that I am a player and that I can do great things for them in the future.

Former UW-Stevens Point Offensive Coordinator Greg Breitbach will now be your position coach at North Dakota, did you talk to him a lot during the process and how did that weight in?  I think he got a chance to see you play in high school?

Mitch: Having someone who has been watching me since I first started is great becuase he knows the kind of player that I am.  Also when talking to coach Breitbach, he and I are both very excited to get a chance to know eachother and hopefully we will have a good relationship.

North Dakota announced on January 4^th that Chris Mussman will be the new head coach.  Was he the coach that recruited you? Or how did you react to that news, did that have any impact on your decision?

Mitch:

When i heard that coach Lennon was leaving I was a little consurned about what was goin to happen with me because he is the one who offered the schoolship.  Talking to my recruiting coach he said that pretty much everyone is staying and that Coach Mussman is taking over and I sure didnt have a problem with the offensive cordinator talking over so things worked out very well.

What have you been told your role will be with the Fighting Sioux during your time there?

Mitch: I will probably redshirt the first year hopefully get a couple touches the year after that. Then if they think that I am their guy to carry the load for them then I will have no problem stepping into that role.

What is a Fighting Sioux??

Mitch:

A fighting Sioux is a native american of the Sioux indian tribe.  I thought that it looks pretty tough to be a fighting sioux, but the only thing i might need to get used to is wearing green.  ha ha ha.

Former Wisconsin Rapids quarterback Brent Goska has been at UND for the past season, did you talk with him during the recruiting process and did it have any impact on your decision?

Mitch: Brent and I are good buddies and haveing him at UND help make my decision much easier.

Back to your time at SPASH, where you obviously had a successful career, what memory stands out the most??

Mitch: A lot of my memories are from being the 3 time conference champs and the last two years going into the semifinals in the playoffs.

What do you take with you from the SPASH program to North Dakota?

Mitch: Everything. My time at SPASH has taught me to be a great running back and hopefully I can use the skilled that I have to do my part to help out my new team.

You received a ton of post season awards, including Gatorade State Player of the Year, and now named to the Old Spice team that will be featured in USA Today on February 7^th, what do those things mean to you??

Mitch: Getting all of the awards makes me feel proud.  Getting Gatorade POY and Old Spice means that i am one of the best and I know I did everything that I could to get to where I am now and I have no regrets.

How nice is it to have this decision finalized and just concentrate on school, basketball, and track the rest of the year?

Mitch: I was very releaved when I knew what I wanted to do.  I felt the weight lift off of my shoulders and it's great that i can just concentrate on have a great senior year.

When will you officially sign with UND?

Mitch: Feb. 6th

Late '90s Football Players Get the Hype Around Here

It seems we're talking a lot about high school football from the mid to late 1990's.  Justin Jehn (DC Everest), Rich Seubert (Marshfield Columbus), Mark Tauscher (Auburndale) and Tim Freiberg (Wausau West) all played around that time and were mentioned on this blog site recently.  So let's keep with the theme.

This Sunday either Seubert or Tauscher will earn a trip to the Super Bowl.  They played basketball against each other in high school and now that same competitive fire they had back in school has given them a shot at the NFL's ultimate prize.  I talked to

Freiberg

recently and he mentioned he played with Seubert in the Shrine Game following their senior seasons.  I asked him if he thought Rich looked like a future pro and Tim gave a nice reply of what he recalled of playing with the guy who would later start at left guard for the New York Giants.  You may recall many of the guys Tim played with.

(That's Tim under center during a Log Game against Wausau East)

Here's Tim's email to me:

Playing in the Shrine Bowl was an exciting time in my football career.  It was a transition between HS and College football.  Most of the guys playing were going on to play College football...many at the D1 (including Ben Mezara from Waupaca - palyed at Minnesota & Rich Seubert - Western Illinois, I'm sure others but can't remember off the top of my head) or D2 level, so it was good competition to play & practice  against for 9 days heading into the college environment.  With all of the unknowns of college football only a few weeks away, there really wasn't much talk of playing in the NFL someday...more conversations of "Would we survive at the college level?"

I quickly became friends with Mike Weister & Rich Seubert from Marshfield Columbus.  Mike was a RB and Rich a TE. Since we were on offense together, we spent a lot of time in and out of practice trying to learn the offense in only 9 days.  Both were great guys and very friendly.  My reflections of Rich at the time was that he was a big/strong guy who could block, run very well for his size, and had good enough hands to catch most of the balls that were thrown his way.  He was recruited to

Western Illinois

as a TE.

I saw him the following summer at Gus Macker in Wausau...our team of Chad Angeli, Rich Steif, Brad MacDonald, & myself took on Rich & Mike's team in the finals (which they beat us 2x to win it! We had beat them earlier in the day).

It was great seeing those guys because it had almost been a year.  I remember Rich saying he didn't redshirt and he was playing the 2nd (backside) TE in a 2 TE offense, calling himself a "Glorified Tackle"  That was the last time I spoke with Rich...so almost 10 years ago. 

After playing against Rich at Gus Macker, I remember how strong he was down low posting up and rebounding...he was like an ox, there was no moving him!! Chad Angeli had just finished playing his Frosh year at UW-Milwaukee, and I remember him commenting how he was by far the physically strongest player he had ever played against up to that time...not a bad compliment from a guy who just got done playing a year in the Horizon League and a Non-Conf game against Keith VanHorn who was a senior at Utah and made it to the Final 4 that year.  Rich was a good athlete and could move very well for his size, even on the basketball court, he had great feet!

It was crazy putting 2 & 2 together a couple years ago and figuring out he was playing OL of the Giants. Having not talked to him since the 1998 Gus Macker I lost track of how his college football career went.  I guess playing "Glorified Tackle" in College worked out for him!!  I'm sure NFL scouts saw a powerful blocker who could move very well so they gave him a shot.

Knowing what a good athlete he is, and how naturally strong he is, it doesn't surprise me he's starting in the NFL on the OL...but could I have predicted it 10 or 11 years ago...NO WAY!!  It just goes to show you how good of ahtletes are that play on Sundays.  He plays the "unathletic" position of OL, but playing with him and against him I know how athletic he is.

I wish him well on Sunday (and that he doesn't get hurt), but am rooting for him to be WATCHING the Super Bowl in 2 weeks!

North Central Wisconsin Well Represented in NFC Championship

Packer fans know all about Mark Tauscher's rise to fame from Auburndale to the University of Wisconsin to starting at right tackle for the Green Bay Packers.  But when Sunday's NFC Championship rolls around he won't even be the only north central Wisconsin native on the field.  Rich Seubert grew up a few miles away and one of these two local guys will make a trip to the Super Bowl.

Seubert's story is probably lesser known but held in the same regard as Tauscher's by those who know him best.  The Rozellville native played on state championship teams for football and basketball at Marshfield Columbus High School.  He played his college football at Western Illinois, went undrafted but signed with the New York Giants as a free agent in 2001.  In 2002 he started all 16 regular season games and a wild card contest at left guard. 

Seubert has overcome adversity on the football field.  He suffered a broken leg in '03 that forced to the sideline for all of the '04 season.  He returned to help pave the way for guys like Tiki Barber, Brandon Jacobs and Eli Manning.

He's heavily involved with several off-the-field activities that raise money for children's charities.  It's an exciting time for his family.  TV9 got in touch with his dad, Tom, and we plan to run a feature on his parents this week.  As a sidenote we were trying to dig up some video of Rich while playing high school football (not easy to do when it's a lineman) but his uncle Ron actually called Rich for us to get his number.  So as you'll see on TV he was #73 with the Dons.

McCarthy Close to Signing Long-Term Deal

Fox Sports is reporting Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy is close to signing a long-term deal.  It's expected to be finalized today.  He has one year left on his original deal.  General Manager Ted Thompson recently signed a five year extension.

Speaking of McCarthy, he was just interviewed on Fox during halftime of the Giants-Cowboys game.  He's scheduled to meet with the Wisconsin media at 7pm tonight so Russ Owens will have the latest from Green Bay in our 10pm report.   

Former Milwaukee Brave Johnny Logan Added to Hall Banquet

We mentioned it on the air the other day but I wanted to say it again here.  Former Milwaukee Braves shortstop Johnny Logan was recently added to speak at this Thursday's Central Wisconsin Baseball Hall of Fame banquet.  Logan was part of the Braves' 1957 and '58 National League pennant winning teams.  In '57 he led the league in doubles.  With Logan's addition to the banquet, it increases the number of keynote speakers to four.  So you'll get your fill of Wisconsin Woodchucks (Jim Gantner), Wausau Timbers (Harold Reynolds), Milwaukee Brewers (Brian Anderson), Milwaukee Braves (Logan) and all sorts of baseball in between.

It's always an outstanding event and takes plenty of work from the Woodchucks' front office, including Matt Ritzer, Ryan Treu and Jesse Bolder. 

It's coming up this Thursday night at Dale's Weston Lanes.  As in previous years, there will be plenty of giveaways and silent auction items.  Tickets are still available through the Chucks at 715-845-5055.

Governor Issues New Statement on Favre

Governor Doyle has released a new statement.  We're back to work now changing our scripts.

Statement of Governor Doyle Regarding Brett Favre

MADISON - Governor Jim Doyle released the following statement today regarding rumors of Brett Favre’s potential return to the Green Bay Packers for an 18^th season: “Like all Packer fans, I was excited to hear Brett Favre talking about returning to action next year for the green and gold.  Brett Favre’s tremendous work ethic and willingness to go out and play hard every day represent the true spirit of Wisconsin."

“Favre has had yet another record breaking season and I’m looking forward to this weekend when Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers defeat the Seattle Seahawks and advance to the National Football Conference Championship game."

“I want to thank Brett Favre on behalf of Packer fans everywhere for his commitment to the Packers, Green Bay, and all of Wisconsin.”

Favre Returns or Does He? Governor Thinks So

While I have a few minutes I wanted to weigh on the this whole Brett Favre story that seems to be getting out of control.  Earlier today I was handed a copy of the Biloxi (Mississippi) Sun Herald article that said he's leaning toward coming back to Green Bay for the 2008 season.  I was also told that at least one Milwaukee tv station broke into programming to let everyone know.  I'm not sure if that happened or not.  I understand the Brett Favre watch is an annual event in Wisconsin when they near the end of the season.  But the story gets even bigger.

Later this afternoon I see an official press release from Governor Jim Doyle (pasted below) that says he's glad to hear the quarterback is coming back for his 18th season.  But the article never clearly says he actually is coming back.  He's leading toward it. 

As a reporter I understand this is not a firm yes.  But when something like this happens we get bombarded with phone calls from people who don't get the whole story.  I'll report on it tonight because it's out there and it should be clear to people.  But it just illustrates, once again, how crazy stories get with Mr. Favre this time of year.

SunHerald.com Article: Favre indicates he will play an 18th season at Green Bay

Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre, on the eve of Saturday's playoff game with the Seattle Seahawks, is giving every indication of returning for an 18th season.

"Each week, I bring more stress on myself wondering if this is too good to be true," Favre told the Sun Herald. "I want to continue the streak and winning. When I talk about the streak, it's not the (consecutive) starts; it's the hot streak we are on. Then, I ask what can I do better?

"I am trying to enjoy it because this could be my last game in Green Bay. For the first time in three years, I haven't thought this could be my last game. I would like to continue longer."

Favre debated whether to return in early 2007 but decided to return.

He has turned in a spectacular 17th season, leading the Packers to a 13-3 record with 28 touchdowns, 4,155 passing yards and a quarterback rating of 95.7, his best in 11 seasons.

Instead of a family vote or Favre making the decision on his own, this one might have fallen directly in the hands of daughter Brittany, a freshman at Charleston Southern, and daughter Breleigh.

Instead of seeking advice at the family home outside Hattiesburg, it might have taken place at a local ice cream shop in Green Bay during Wild Card weekend.

"Brittany was up here and drove to get ice cream," Favre said. "It was like pulling teeth to get Brittany and Breleigh to get out of the car to get the ice cream. But we didn't argue about it being my last game like we have in the past. We talked about Brittany coming back in this weekend from Charleston Southern for what could be my last game.

"Breleigh then spoke up and said, 'Dad, don't retire.' And Brittany said, 'Dad, I think you need to play one more year."'

Favre has career 442 touchdown passes (442), 61,655 career passing yards and 5,377 career pass completions.

"I have a lot to think about. It's been a fun year and winning has made it a good year," Favre said "For the first time in a couple of years, at this point, my focus is solely on Seattle and winning a playoff game at home."

Statement of Governor Doyle Regarding Brett Favre Returning for 18^th Season

MADISON

- Governor Jim Doyle released the following statement today regarding Brett Favre’s return to the Green Bay Packers for an 18^th season:

“Like all Packer fans, I am thrilled that Brett Favre will return to action next year for the green and gold.  Brett Favre’s tremendous work ethic and willingness to go out and play hard every day represent the true spirit of

Wisconsin

.

“I am hopeful that with this announcement behind us, Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers can focus on the task at hand: defeating the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday and advancing to the National Football Conference Championship game.

“I want to thank Brett Favre on behalf of Packer fans everywhere for his commitment to the Packers,

Green Bay

, and all of

Wisconsin

.”

Finlay Earns Another Soccer Honor

Marshfield's Ethan Finlay is named to the NSCAA/adidas Boys Youth All-America Team and will be honored at a banquet January 19 in Baltimore.  That's the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.  The team is comprised of 80 players from across the country.  Finlay will play collegiate soccer at Creighton University.

West Out to End Rapids' Valley Domination

Thursday night, the focus of the Wisconsin wrestling community is turned to Wisconsin Rapids.  The Raiders rank #1 in both the Wisconsin Wrestling Online and Crossface rankings.  Wausau West visits with the #2 position according to Crossface and #3 in Wisconsin Wisconsin Online . 

Rapids is the program I believe all others compare themselves to.  And why not?  They've won 12 of the last 13 state team championships.  Last year the runner-up was none other than Wausau West.  The year before, conference Merrill earned the silver trophy.  We see year after year how strong the Valley is and the Raiders have won every Wisconsin Valley Conference title dating to 1994.  In fact, you have to go back to the early '90s to find the last time Rapids lost a conference dual.  They have stability in the coaching staff with Lewie Benitz guiding all those squads on his way to the National High School Hall of Fame.  The past few years his son Scott served as co-head coach.  Following Lewie's retirement, the program is all Scott's. 

So here comes West.  Will Thursday be the night the Warriors' snap the Rapids domination?  Head coach Dan Hein is tremendously successful.  He's a member of the Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame and has coached his teams to more than 300 dual wins.   Take a look through the individual state rankings and you see Warriors near the top of their respective weight classes; Jon Schuster (103), Sam Umlauf (125), Tyler Fuger (130), Steven Monk (135), Shawn Perry (140), Jackson Hein (171). 

Of course, Wisconsin Rapids counters with its own highly ranked grapplers.  And we know what rankings are worth... something about that and 35 cents gets you a phone call (or is it more now?).  So we'll see them go head to head, mono y mono Thursday night and find out for ourselves.

Get to Know... Justin Jehn

Justin Jehn won a state football championship as a player at DC Everest in '98 then as a coach this year with West Salem.  So I thought I'd check in with the guy who now teaches the fundamentals he learned under Coach Wayne Steffenhagen and his staff.  I included a picture from a highlight I found of Justin quarterbacking during that '98 season and another from the West Salem High School website.

Bryon,

Thanks for getting in touch with me. This was fun and drags out a great season just a little more. As I plan to tell our players at our banquet Jan 20th, the longer you think about the championship, relive the championship, dream about the championship, and act like a champion, the longer the championship will last.

Justin

Bryon: Justin, congratulations on winning the division four state championship with West Salem. How did it compare to when you played for a state title at Everest?

Justin: It is different and yet the same. As a coach, I think I was more nervous because there is so much more down time and things are out of my control. As a team in 1998, we were so focused on winning the gold ball that we all had a business-like approach to the game that eliminated most distractions. I definitely appreciate the amount of work the staff at Everest puts in year in and year out to be a successful program. We are beginning to do the same, which has equated to success. The similar portions of the two playoff runs is the excitement. Our school and community were a buzz. A gold ball is a gold ball even nine years apart!

Bryon: Did you relay any of your experience to the players beforehand?

Justin: Not really. Our seniors were part of the 2005 state runner up team. They had a bad taste in their mouths from losing to Ripon. I saw the same desire and focus on their faces as I did from many that I played with in '98. I didn't give any sort of advice until it came time to deciding on the championship rings!

Bryon: The whole West Salem coaching staff was honored before the Packers game Sunday. What was that like?

Justin: The Green Bay Packers organization treated us very well. Coach Sackett, his wife and four daughters, and I were treated to a facilities tour. We saw everything from the lockerroom, to the training room, to the meeting rooms, to the cafeteria. It was neat to see the other side of the game. We X and O for six months straight, so it is good to get a different glimpse. Four members of our staff was on the sideline for a pregame presentation and to watch warmups. This was my first Packer's game and 2nd NFL game (my wife's cousin is Joe Thomas of Cleveland, formly of the Badgers). The whole experience was something I won't forget. It was just part of taking in the whole experience.

Bryon: How long have you coached at West Salem? What is your coaching role? What do you teach?

Justin: I am in my fourth year of teaching biology and physical science at West Salem High School. I just completed my fifth year of coaching.

I began as a Junior Varisty defensive coordinator, LB coach, and QB coach (what an awakening from a lifetime QB). After two season in that capacity, I became the head JV coach, JV offensive coordinator and QB coach. I fill in where I am needed defensively.

Bryon: Year in and year out, DC Everest is one of the best football programs in the state. How does it maintain that success?

Justin: Coach Steffenhagen and his staff know the meaning of work ethic. They will outwork their competition. The tradition that has been established at DCE is foundational. Players like to compete and win. The desire to add to the tradition is addictive. Having not been part of the Everest program as a coach, I speculate a bit in saying, I imagine they are very good at using the player they have in the positions they need them to be successful.

Bryon: Your '98 state championship team was really talented and scored a lot of points. It included Derek Abney who later became an All-American at Kentucky and was drafted by the Ravens. I believe you set a Wisconsin Valley Conference record for points scored in a single game. Why was that team so good?

Justin: Everyone is West Salem was wowed by the 52 points we put up in the state championship. I wanted to show them film of our 70-63 win over Rapids. As I eluded to before, the '98 team was driven to achieve.

We were loaded with talent: Abney, Jesse Spatz, Jon Thompson, B.Jay Pieczynski, Jeff Divjak, Phil Salter, Ken Klatt, Josh Plisch, Luke Dreissen, Joe Waksmonski, Dave Blaskowski, Luke Ley, etc., etc., etc.  Successful teams seem to have good leadership, focused athletes, and commoradery. I think the 1998 DCE team has that.

Bryon: What are your future coaching goals?

Justin: I have always wanted to be a head coach. Now I see how many responsibilities that person has. My true passion is coaching offense.  I love working with QB's and on the X's and O's. I would like to be a head coach one day, perhaps at West Salem. It has always intrigued me about coaching at my alma mater. I wonder if Coach Steff would ever have me back?

Bryon: Justin we appreciate your time.  Good luck in your coaching and teaching career.

 

Six Year Old Pulls in a Trophy Catch

We just received this picture from one of our viewers.  So how could we pass up showing a six year old who caught her first walleye?  Here's Lillian Blarek and her 27 inch fish.  Lillian caught it on Pike Lake in Marathon County with the help of her uncle Phil.