Seniors lead the way in Chargers’ victory

Wittenberg-Birnamwood’s senior class set the momentum for the first game of the season in the Chargers’ 24-0 nonconference victory over Northland Pines at home Friday.

Quarterback Trevor Groshek, tight end Cory Fraaza and running back Dylan Sprague — all seniors — led the Witt-Birn offense, which compiled 224 yards.

Groshek completed five of his eight passes for 58 yards and two TDs. Fraaza was the top receiver in the game with four receptions for 37 yards and two TDs. Sprague averaged 5.8 yards per carry, rushing for 52 yards on nine carries.

“A lot of our guys are seniors on the team, and I think that kind of kicked in, so we’re all a little more motivated,” Sprague said. “I think just the ‘one last ride’ mentality is a huge focus for us.”

The Chargers’ defense, meanwhile, kept the Eagles from entering the red zone for all but the one play late in the fourth quarter and allowed them to cross midfield only once in the first half.

Wittenberg-Birnamwood (1-0) also forced two turnovers, one of which resulted in a touchdown, while holding Northland Pines (0-1) to 179 yards.

Seniors make up more than a third of the Wittenberg-Birnamwood roster.

“They do a great job,” Wittenberg-Birnamwood head coach Bernard Holsey said. “I think we came out with a lot more enthusiasm, a lot more effort, because of the seniors. I think they just realized this is the time, it’s now, and they carry that over to the younger players.”

Fraaza’s interception set up Witt-Birn’s second drive of the game, which ended with a 10-yard TD pass from Groshek to Fraaza. Fraaza scored again on a 2-yard pass from Groshek in the second quarter, capping a drive highlighted by a 17-yard connection between the duo.

The Chargers outgained Northland Pines in rushing yardage, 166-85. Junior Jack Stewart accounted for 75 yards on 17 carries and scored Witt-Birn’s only TD of the second half on 3-yard run. The touchdown was prefaced by a 30-yard run by Sprague to take the Chargers into the red zone.

Sprague also had a 22-yard reception that led to a Chargers touchdown.

“I barely catch passes, so I just turned and it was a surprise, but I was ready for it,” Sprague said.

Northland Pines’ only score came with just over two minutes remaining in the game on a 16-yard pass from Tyler Hunt to Ethan Polich.

Nick Blaedow was the Eagles’ leading rusher with 37 yards on nine carries. Gunnar Schiffmann and Ryan Peterson each had two receptions for 22 yards.

As for what his team can improve on heading into the next game against Crandon at 7 p.m. Friday at home, Holsey said the focus will be on more disciplined tackling and completing assignments on offense.

Wittenberg-Birnamwood also beat Northland Pines in last year’s season opener but then stumbled to a 3-7 record. Holsey will keep that in mind as the team prepares for Crandon, which lost its opener, 42-6, to Abbotsford.

“I like the fact that we won, and I think it sets us up for more to come, but we can’t get relaxed and say we’re good enough,” Holsey said. “Because last year at this time we had the same record. So we get to enjoy the win for a night, but then we come back ready to work.”

Wittenberg-Birnamwood 24, Northland Pines 8

Team 1 2 3 4 F

Wittenberg-Birnamwood 8 8 8 0 24

Northland Pines 0 0 0 8 8

First quarter

WB: Cory Fraaza 10-yard reception from Trevor Groshek (conversion good) 8-0 (8:18).

Second quarter

WB: Fraaza 2-yard reception from Trevor Groshek (conversion good) 16-0 (10:52).

Third quarter

WB: Jack Stewart 3-yard run (conversion good) 24-0 (2:13).

Fourth quarter

NP: Ethan Polich 16-yard reception from Tyler Hunt (conversion good) 24-8 (2:09).