Pacelli football team looks to take next step By JOHN KEMMETER Special to The Gazette The 2002 Pacelli High School football team is looking to build on its performance from last season, one which saw the team win a share of its first Central Wisconsin Conference (CWC) Large Division. In 2001, their second in the CWC Large, the Cardinals (9-2 overall, 6-1 CWC Large) advanced to the second round of the playoffs before losing to Port Edwards, 20-13. While many of the key components are back from last season, Pacelli will have to find replacements for two of its biggest contributors. Gone are quarterback Brad Heeg, the CWC Large co-Offensive Player of the Year, and guard/linebacker Joe Usher, who was a first-team all-conference selection on both sides of the ball. "We're just continuing from last season," said Pacelli head coach Bob Raczek. "We didn't have too many seniors, a majority of the guys that are starting this year played a lot last year, and things have been working good," said Raczek. Despite losing Heeg, who set school records last year for passing yards in a season (1,606), touchdown passes in a season (20) and touchdown passes in a career (30), the Cardinals have plenty of weapons on offense. Senior running back Ahern Cashin (244 carries, 1,324 yards, 13 touchdowns) was a first team all-conference performer in each of the last two seasons, and junior split end Jake Owens (34 receptions, 705 yards, eight touchdowns) was also named to the first team as he set the school record for receiving yards in a season. The biggest question so far for the squad will be at quarterback, where the Cardinals will start either senior Nate Domaszek or Owens. Domaszek earned second-team CWC large honors last year at tight end, and also served as Heeg's backup at quarterback. "Well, it's not really a big transition, Nate worked at quarterback last year," said Raczek. "Both Nate and Jake Owens have worked at quarterback in practice so far, but if we had to start tomorrow, Nate would probably be our starting QB," Raczek said. "Nate's a good athlete," said Pacelli offensive assistant John Raflik. "He's doing a good job out there, he understands what to do offensively, as far as the steps, and he throws the ball quite well for our receivers," Raflik said. Pacelli returns Cashin at tailback, where he will be starting for his third season in a row. There is no doubt he will play a big role in the offense, as he is looking for his third consecutive 1,000 yards-plus season. "Teams are going to have to be keying on him because they're going to have to be able to stop him," said Raflik. "He knows what he's doing out there, and he's got a lot of experience. We're looking for him to have a good season this year," added Raflik. The Cardinals made another switch from their starting lineup of a year ago, moving senior Jeff Herzog (105 carries, 503 yards, five touchdowns) from fullback to wingback. Senior Tim Schwarz (eight carries, 40 yards), will also see action at wingback. Stepping into Herzog's old spot at fullback will be sophomore Eddie Krzmarzick (12 carries, 51 yards). Also figuring in the mix in the backfield are senior Joe Isaac, junior Eric Kawski and sophomores Ben Klosinski and Tony Buerger. "It's not set in stone, we can always move Herzog back to fullback if need be," said Pacelli offensive assistant Brad Wysocki. "But it could be a good weapon out there at the receiver spot, and give some other guys a chance to run the ball in the backfield." At split end, Owens has flashed big-play potential any time he has touched the ball for the Cardinals. The junior led the team in receiving last year, while averaging 20.7 yards a catch. "We're gonna look to see if we can get him the ball whenever we can on any kind of pass plays," said Raflik. "And, if we have to we can move him to quarterback if we get in a pinch situation, he's a good enough athlete to be able to handle that." Senior Drew Wroblewski (three catches, 19 yards) will move into the starting lineup at tight end, with sophomore Greg Marsicek backing him up. The offensive line is led by a group of athletes that has gotten a significant amount of playing time over the last few seasons. The line will be led by senior Logan Riordan, who earned first-team honors last year at center. Joining Logan Riordan on the line will be senior tackles Brian Dunigan and Brent Zurawski, senior Simon Hesch and junior Alex Riordan at guard. Providing depth will be senior Dan Barnett. The Cardinals also appear to be strong on defense, where they essentially return nine starters from last year's squad. They will be led up front by first team all-CWC Large nose tackle Schwarz, Wroblewski (CWC Large second team) and Zurawski at defensive end, Alex Riordan and Dunigan at defensive tackle. At linebacker, the Cardinals will start Logan Riordan, and Klosinski, who is taking over for Usher. "As a sophomore, Ben Klosinski's got as much ability as anybody that's been around," said Pacelli defensive coordinator Steve Raczek. "He's developing beyond belief." The Cardinals once again will be strong in the secondary with the return of Jeff Herzog (five interceptions) at cornerback and the safety tandem of Owens (five interceptions, second team all-CWC Large) and Domaszek (four interceptions). Cashin will step into a starting role at the other corner spot, with Isaac providing depth in the defensive backfield. "Tim Schwarz will be a force to be reckoned with, he was last year, and he's gonna be again this year," said Steve Raczek. "Logan Riordan at linebacker, you just don't find much better. And the entire secondary's pretty much back, so as a whole we're not sitting too bad, it's just a matter of everybody meshing together." Special teams have always played a part in Pacelli's success, especially in the return game. That will be much of the same this year, as Cashin and Owens will return kicks. There are still a number of players vying for the place kicking job, but Hesch and Jeff Herzog will handle the punting and extra point duties respectively. "We're always looking to try and score on any opportunity that we can on special teams," said Pacelli special teams coach Randy Kruzicki. "We're going to put a lot of emphasis on the return game, and a lot of emphasis on blocking some punts this year." Most importantly, the Cardinals are looking to build on their success from a year, and take their play to the next level. "Our first goal is to win a conference championship, and we go out and try to win every football game," said Bob Raczek. "We're preparing for our first football game against Rosholt this year, and I think that's a goal of every kid too. You have to prepare to win the next football game, and that's what we're trying to do." Pacelli 2002 Football Schedule Friday, Aug. 23, scrimmage at Marshfield, 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30, at Rosholt, 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, vs. Amherst, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at Weyauwega-Fremont, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, vs. Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at Bonduel, 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, vs. Menominee Indian (homecoming), 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, at Blackhawk, 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at Manawa, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, vs. Tri-County, 7 p.m.