Morgan Rode sports@newmedia-wi.com
Leader file photo Menominee Indian junior Hunter Connavichnah (77) looks to throw a block during the team’s matchup with Gillett early in the season. Connavichnah was named to the MONLPC-8 honorable mention team as an offensive lineman.
Staying healthy and having depth can be big keys to having a strong football season. But when the injury bug hits and the team has low roster numbers, a team can really struggle with consistency and wins can be tough to come by.
Staying healthy at the eight-man football level is even more crucial as roster numbers are already low to begin with.
Coming into the season, the Menominee Indian football team was hoping to improve upon a one-win 2017 season. Early injuries forced players to take on roles on offense, defense and special teams though and it took awhile for the team to piece together success.
The Eagles scored just 36 combined points across the first six weeks of play before turning things around down the stretch. Menominee Indian earned a shutout win over rival Oneida Nation and then played both Green Bay NEW Lutheran and Florence tough across the final two weeks.
The Eagles finished the year 1-8 — with a forfeit win over Bowler/Gresham — but still had several players earn MONLPC-8 all-conference honors for their play on the gridiron.
Senior Darius Wayka overcame an early season injury and was recognized in each facet of the game. He earned a spot on the second team as a running back, linebacker and punter.
“I’m really at a loss for words that I received anything,” Wayka said. “I missed two games early on and wasn’t expecting anything. Plus we did not have the best of seasons, but I am very happy and thankful that we all got a little recognition. We all worked hard over the summer and during the season. I am truly honored.”
Wayka led the Eagles with 922 yards and six touchdowns on the ground across his seven games while hauling in nine receptions for 176 yards and another score. He led the team with 75 total tackles, including 10 for losses and a pair of sacks.
Junior defensive lineman Alex Waukau was also a second-teamer for Menominee Indian.
Five Eagles — junior quarterback Tiger Dixon, junior offensive lineman Hunter Connavichnah, junior offensive lineman Cole Pecore, freshman defensive back David Alverado and senior defensive lineman Leone Peters — made the honorable mention team.
In six games, Dixon passed for 856 yards and three touchdowns while adding another score on the ground. Peters totaled 34 tackles, a fumble recovery and forced fumble while Alverado had 23 tackles, three of which were for loss.
CWC-Small Division
Going into its final 11-man season, the Marion/Tigerton co-op knew the challenge it faced against teams with much larger rosters. Things did not get any easier when a series of injuries hit the team, even forcing the team to forfeit one contest.
Still, the co-op showed improvement over the season and got several young players valuable experience that should help the team’s transition to eight-man go a bit more smoothly.
Junior offensive lineman Jared Krueger was a second team selection. Junior offensive lineman Allen Jobe and junior defensive lineman Cayden Schoen were each honorable mention players.
North Eastern Conference
Clintonville entered the season under the direction of first-year coach Tom Burkhalter looking to build an identity.
Playing in a tough North Eastern Conference made things challenging for the Truckers, who went winless in conference play. Clintonville did end the year on a positive note after topping Green Bay West for its first win since mid-October of 2017.
Senior linebacker Hunter Lohrengel led the defense with 142 tackles and earned a spot on the all-conference second team.