Bulldogs Set For Season With Strong Running Game, Improved Numbers

After a five-game 2020 season that saw the Peshtigo Bulldogs pick up just one win and end the season with 17 players, the Bulldogs are turning the page.
Peshtigo enters the 2021 season with a 33-player roster, nine games on the schedule and a renewed sense of optimism.
Peshtigo coach Jeff Bayerl likes to run the ball, and he thinks his team is going to be a lot better in that department this year, with a more experienced line and a couple of good ball-carriers.
The Bulldogs started three freshmen on the offensive line last year, putting some first-year players in some tough spots. That one year of growth can make a big difference, both mentally and physically.
“We really got bigger on the offensive line,” Bayerl said. “These kids lifted weights over the summer, they got stronger, they got bigger, so we’re going to move some people on the offensive line.”
Behind that offensive line will be 6-2, 180-pound senior tailback Will Boettcher and 5-7, 160-pound senior fullback Darius Sechen: thunder and lightning, Bayerl says.
“They complement each other well in the backfield, they block for each other real well and they run the ball hard,” Bayerl said. “They just run the ball and they don’t want to go down, so they’ll help us immensely.”
Kyle Rupert, a 5-10 junior, will move from center to quarterback. It may seem like a big transition, but the quarterback is charged with doing a lot of blocking in the Bulldog offense, so it should be an advantage to have a former lineman in the backfield.
Bayerl said his team’s pass game timing has been “a little off” so far in practice, but hopes that will come along. 
“We’ve always been a run-first team, and that’s what opens up our passing game. We’re going to mix it up, but I like to run the ball. I’ve always liked to run the ball, although when they give us the pass, we’ll take it,” Bayerl said. “Teams are going to load up to stop our run, and if they give us the pass, we’ll take it. We’ve got a 6-foot-7 tight end and a lot of cornerbacks are 5-9. Who’s going to win that jump ball battle, you know what I mean? So we have some weapons, and we’re going to utilize them.”
The tight end Bayerl mentioned is junior Ryder DeMarce, one of just five juniors on the team. Peshtigo has eight seniors, four sophomores and 16 freshmen. At least two freshmen are set to go into the season as starters, Bayerl said. Others could make an impact on special teams to give tired legs a rest.
Speaking of special teams, longtime coach Pat Robbins will handle the special teams, while TJ Buscher officially takes charge of the defense, Bayerl said. Buscher did the play-calling under Robbin’s tutelage last year, but he’ll take on an even bigger role this year, though Robbins will still be involved. Veteran Coach Rick Raygo will once again take charge of the Bulldog linemen.
Peshtigo opens the season with Coleman on Thursday, Aug. 19. This year’s Packerland Conference slate includes Kewaunee, Oconto, Mishicot, Southern Door, Clintonville and Bonduel, with non-conference action against Oshkosh Lourdes and Northern Elite (Goodman/Pembine/Niagara).
Bayerl said he thinks Kewaunee, Bonduel, Southern Door will all be the class of the conference, also saying he expects Oconto to be good. 
Southern Door topped Peshtigo by a 60-12 tally in 2020, Bonduel beat the Bulldogs 45-20 and the Bulldogs did not play Kewaunee. Oconto also beat the Bulldogs last year by a 31-16 score.
Bayerl is not counting his team out, though. “If we gel, I think we have a shot,” he said. “I really do think we have a shot at it.”
The remaining Bulldog roster includes Seniors: Trevor Walters TE-CB, Braeden Overman G-DL, Aiden Van De Laarschot C-DL, Adam Reiswitz TE-DE, Ethan Potkay QB-S, Mason Enstrom WB-CB. Juniors: Kavin Kliekamp WB-CB, Trevor Marquardt QB-LB, Carson Paris G-DL. Sophomores: Ethan Brissette WB-CB, Connor Thomas G-DL, Nathan Schoenebeck T-DL, Hayden Manske WB-S. Freshmen: Malakai Yakel E-LB, Roen Inghram E-LB, Connor Bickel QB-DL, Adin Reiswitz TB-LB, Dalton Sechen FB-LB, Nathan Kleikamp QB-DL, Levi Nemec TB-CB, Tristan Krycarek E-CB, Michael Stratman-Mohrbacher WB-LB, Caleb Klimek T-DL, Carter Roeder T-DL, Tranden Glover C-DL, Carson Patterson G-DL, Nathan Staton T-DL, Remmington Wood TE-DE, Dakota O’Connor WB-CB.
 

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