By JOHN KEMMETER
Special to The Gazette
Confidence is high for the Pacelli Cardinals football team. In their first season in the Central Wisconsin Conference Large School Division, they finished tied for second place. With a number of key starters returning, the Cardinals feel they can make a run at a conference title.
"Our goal is always to win a conference championship," said Pacelli head coach Bob Raczek.
Pacelli finished 6-4 overall last season, going 5-2 in the conference. Perhaps the biggest challenge was facing a conference schedule full of teams that they had never seen before.
"There are some real tough teams now in the Central Wisconsin Large that have strong football traditions," said Raczek. "Playing different teams, not knowing what they do both offensively, and defensively, was a change. Now that we've played them all once last year, we know what to expect," said Raczek
On the offensive side of the ball, the Cardinals return three starters from last year. They also return a number of players who saw significant action on the field last year.
Senior Brad Heeg (6-0, 160) enters his second season as the starting quarterback. He was named honorable mention all-CWC Large School last season, completing 35 of 79 passes for 587 yards, with 10 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. As a senior this year, Heeg is being counted on to be a leader on the field.
"It's really nice if you can have a quarterback that takes a leadership role, that the other kids follow," said Raczek. "Hopefully he can do that."
Behind Heeg at quarterback are junior Nate Domaszek (6-1, 170) and sophomore Jake Owens (6-0, 155).
At tailback, the Cardinals return junior Ahren Cashin, who was named first-team All-CWC Large School last season as a sophomore. Cashin (5-8, 160), rushed 178 times for 1001 yards.
"You can expect him to get his yards this year," said Raczek. "He got a little stronger and he got a little quicker, and I think he can have an even better year than last."
Joining Cashin in the backfield will be junior fullback Jeff Herzog (5-7, 160). Herzog carried the ball 39 times for 107 yards in a reserve role last season, but looks to improve on that this season.
"He got hurt later on in the season, and didn't see as much action on offense that we probably would have liked, but I'm expecting big things out of him," said Raczek.
The reserves in the backfield will consist of senior Jim Milkowski, (5-7, 150), who will also start at wingback, juniors Tim Schwarz (5-9, 155) and Joe Isaac (6-0, 165), and sophomores Eric Kawski (5-9, 150) and Joe Groshek (5-10, 175).
Pacelli would like to throw the ball with more consistency this year, and they have weapons in the passing game they would like to spread out and get the ball to. Owens will start at split end, with Domaszek at tight end. Owens had two catches for 45 yards and a touchdown as a freshman last year, while Domaszek served as the backup quarterback.
"Owens played a little bit last year in the offense toward the end of the season, and he's probably our fastest guy," said Raczek. "On the other side, we have Domaszek, who can play at tight end, and the quarterback spot. We're going to have to have a lot of guys who can play at two positions like that."
Adding depth to the receiving corps will be junior Drew Wroblewski (6-1, 175), and sophomores Brian Churas (6-3, 170) and Jim Fletcher (6-1, 165).
The offensive line appears to be Pacelli's biggest question mark heading into the season. They return just one starter, guard Joe Usher (6-1, 180), from last year.
"We lost some good lineman from last year," said Raczek. "Joe Usher is our only starter that we got back, but he's a good one. He's not the biggest guy around, but offensively and defensively, he does an excellent job of playing there."
Joining Usher on the line will be senior Zac Thome (6-1, 180), a converted tight end.
"Thome was a tight end last year, but we moved him over to a tackle," said Raczek. "If he can do the job that will be a big plus for us."
The others starters appear to be senior tackle Adam Somers (6-0, 195), junior guard Brian Dunigan (5-10, 185), and junior center Logan Riordan (5-10, 185).
Other linemen who will contribute are senior Dan Ostrowski (6-0, 215), juniors Simon Hesch (5-11, 170), Brent Zurawski (6-0-170), and Mike Barnett (6-0, 165), and sophomore Alex Riordan (5-10, 195).
Much like on the offensive side of the ball, the defensive line has its share of question marks. Defensive end Brian Dunigan is the lone returning starter.
"On the defensive line, we lost a lot of guys there, and the same guys that are going to have to help us offensively are going to have to help us defensively," said Raczek.
Among those penciled in to start alongside Dunigan are Thome, Schwarz, Somers, and Wroblewski. Others competing for playing time will be Ostrowski, Barnett, Groshek, and Alex Riordan.
The linebackers and secondary will remain the strength of the defense. Usher, Pacelli's defensive MVP and leading tackler the past two years, returns at one linebacker spot. The other linebacker will be Logan Riordan, who played well in a reserve role last year. Cashin will serve as a backup, and help solidify an experienced unit.
The secondary returns four players who started much of last season. The cornerbacks will be Milkowski and Herzog, with Owens and Domaszek at safety. Owens, who started as a freshman last year, led the team with four interceptions. Heeg, who has experience as a starter, will serve as the top backup.