Warriors set new gridiron records

Muskego - Although the role changed, the results did not for the Muskego football team in the 2011 season.

The Warriors perhaps snuck up on a few people while posting a 7-4 mark in 2010, but they did not have the same luxury this season. Everyone knew what they had coming back and held them in high regard from day one.

"We were the hunted team this year," coach Ken Krause said. "We got everybody's best shot. The kids rose up, though, and had a fabulous year. I couldn't be prouder of them."

The Warriors responded with a 9-2 campaign, their most victories since 1994. Their 16 triumphs combined in 2010-11 are also their most in a two-year span since the mid-1990s.

This year's squad accumulated 3,565 yards on the ground, which led the metro Milwaukee area, and averaged a school-record 40.6 points per game.

The heart and soul of the team, Krause said, was the offensive line.

"This was the best offensive line I have ever coached," he said. "This was the smartest and toughest group I have ever had."

The line was spearheaded by senior guard Collin Smith, senior center Jeff Bolster and senior tackle Connor McIntosh. Smith was first-team all-Southeast Conference and first-team all-region, while Bolster and McIntosh were also highly regarded.

They helped open the way for Muskego's corps of runners, led by senior Brady Simkowski, who led the area in rushing with 1,539 yards and 21 touchdowns. Simkowski only fumbled once in 230 carries.

Senior Roland Dunlap added 844 yards and senior Jordan Gruettner was another reliable option who totaled 1,400 yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground in the past two seasons, averaging over eight yards during that time.

Rushing was only the beginning of Gruettner's work. He also was the lead blocker for Simkowski, and he collected 92 solo tackles at linebacker, punted for an average of 42.5 yards and handled both kickoffs and extra points.

"Jordan is the best all-around player I have ever coached in my 15 years," Krause said. "There is no player who does so much so well for any team in the area."

The Muskego offense was powerful for the second straight season, but the defense improved greatly, said Krause. The first-string unit allowed only 12 points per game and had four games where it surrendered no points.

Leading the way were Dunlap at end and linebacker, junior Josh Breider in the backfield with eight interceptions and no touchdown passes allowed, senior Tommy Stark at linebacker (69 solo tackles) and senior Dane Stair in the line (33 solo tackles and four sacks).

Krause said the Warriors' success was due to a number of factors.

"Our off-season lifting helped wear other teams down," he said. "Also, our theme this year was unity, family, brotherhood, and we were as close a team as I have ever had. Some players met me at lunchtime to watch film together, and we had off-the-field activities as a team. We had a summer camp at Carroll University, staying overnight, and we had 100 percent attendance in the last three years there.

"Finally, we had a talented group. We had a core of talented players returning and some others who became talented players during the season. We saw hard work and plenty of time in the weight room."

Muskego loses many seniors but Krause believes the winning beat will go on next season. The junior varsity team went 7-1 and the two freshman squads combined for an 8-2-1 record.

"I think we'll be a dark-horse team," he said. "We have some nice players back. Our goal is to be a playoff team every year."

The Warriors will play in the Classic 8 Conference next fall, trading powers like Kenosha Bradford, Kenosha Tremper and Franklin for Waukesha West and Hartland Arrowhead.

"Both conferences (the Southeast and Classic 8) are equally strong," Krause said. "The SEC has so many skill players and the Classic 8 has some of the best linemen in the state. It is more of a defensive league. It should be a fun challenge for us, and I think we will fit in well. I am excited about finding out how well we stack up."