Glenwood City’s senior class leadership will be key to gridiron success in 2024
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
THE 2024 GLENWOOD CITY FOOTBALL TEAM AND CHEERLEADERS — The Hilltopper football team will look to improve upon a 5-5 record from a year ago. Front row Cheerleaders (L to R): Gretchen Draxler, Sadie Stansbury, Shaylyn Hubbell, Alayna LaValley, Kyra Dahl, Emily Tews, Jayda Howard, Kayley Dickmann, Ella Johnson, Haley Barstad, and Lillie McGee. Second row (L to R): Tyler Rogers, Vinny Wheeler, Andrew Blaser, Charlie Lamb, Esdyn Swenby, Blake Fayerweather, Jackson Logghe, Dylan Laberee, Tyler Harrington, Justin Rogers, Logan McVeigh, and Mitchell McGee. Third row (L to R): Coach Myers, Coach Lamb, Coach Strong, Coach Shelton and Coach Strong. Fourth row (L to R): Corey Strong, Jacob Hager, Mitchel Main, Landon Obermueller, Brody Olson, Brody Riba, Brady Thompson, Logan Klatt, Vinny Yang, and Michael Wheeler. Fifth row (L to R): Brock Wood, Lucas Halbach, Max Peterson, Jackson Main, Triston Wink, Preston Arvey, Waylon Wagner, Charlie Bogie, Ryley Dickman, Will Dreyling, Will Obermueller, and Blake Blaser. Back row (L to R): Daniel Main, Braylen Estep, Andrew Yang, Max Voeltz, Landon Standaert, Adrian Lee, Jordan Hager, Hayden Green Wyatt Dreyling, and Dilan Riba. —photo by Shawn DeWitt
GLENWOOD CITY — Senior leadership is a crucial element in any successful athletic campaign and it is no different for the Glenwood City football squad who is about to embark on its 2024 regular season this Thursday, August 22 at Eleva-Strum.
Plagued by injuries much of last season, the Hilltoppers still managed to finish 5-5 which included an open round playoff loss to Edgar, the eventual Division 7 state champion.
That effort was lead by a solid core of seniors that have graduated highlighted by all-conference selections Will Standaert, Steven Booth, and Morgen Eggert. Eggert was also voted to the second team All-Northwest squad as a defensive back.
“Morgen was a diverse player for us that will be missed,” stated head coach Shane Strong who begins his 16th season at the helm and sports a 79-70 record which includes a 2012 Division 7 state title and a state-runner-up finish the following season.
“Steven Booth was a very productive player at fullback along with defensive end, he was a great leader as well,” noted Strong.
“We also lost Will Standaert, Conner Gross and Tucker Augeson from our offensive line, Jared Hager was a solid kid for us in the defensive line,” stated Strong.
But a strong incoming senior crop of 13 mixed with some talented underclassmen has Strong excited about the possibilities.
“We have a very strong leadership in our senior class,” Strong said. “They have made a commitment in the weight room this off-season. We will be very good at the skills positions.”
Strong admits that his team does lack some depth in the offensive line but that there are some good kids that just lack experience in that area.
Senior Mitchell McGee returns as the Toppers’ leading rusher. McGee, an all-conference performer, rushed for 690 yards on 154 attempts with 14 touchdowns and just three fumbles.
Fellow seniors Blake Fayerweather and Jackson Logghe will anchor the offensive line while Andrew Blaser along with juniors Brady Thompson (an all-conference pick a year ago) and Brody Riba will be very good at the receiver positions.
Junior Brody Olson will be under center again this season. Olson quarterbacked the Hilltoppers through the first four games last year before an injury ended his season. The lanky thrower, however, still managed to pass for over 1,100 yards and ten touchdowns during that span.
In all, Glenwood City lists 44 players on its roster heading into the season opener which breaks down to the baker’s dozen in the senior class, nine juniors, another 13 in the sophomore class and nine more from the freshmen class.
As for goals, Strong simply wants his charges to play to the standards of the Glenwood City football program.
“Stats mean nothing to us overall,” commented Strong. “We have standards that we take very seriously, that is how we measure the success of our season.”
The Toppers’ veteran head coach sees defending champion Boyceville as well Elmwood-Plum City and Spring Valley as the top contenders in this year’s conference race. He noted that Boyceville returns some core players from a very good team while E/PC brings back a great offensive line and two solid running backs and Spring Valley has very good skill players.