scores in a 53-21 win ….

scores in a 53-21 win over Antigo in the regular-season finale.

Along with Kleist, senior Tucker Kraemer was one of Baumgartner’s top receivers. He earned honorable mention at the receiver position after ranking third in the GNC with 50.6 receiving yards per game. Kraemer caught 13 balls in GNC contests for 354 yards on five touchdowns. Overall, he had 18 receptions for 459 yards and the five GNC scores. He had five catches for 79 yards and a 29-yard touchdown in the Mosinee loss.

Medford’s defense was the GNC’s leader against the run, allowing just 672 yards for an average of 96 yards per game and ranked second behind Merrill at 196.4 yards overall per game. A fair amount of the yards given up did come late in games that Medford had well in hand.

The tone for the run defense was set up front where Schreiner and Haavisto at tackle positions and end Landen Viergutz were named to the first team. Schreiner was a unanimous pick. Senior end Ty Metz landed on the second team.

Among the highlight performances of the season for that group, Viergutz had eight total tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery in the Sept. 9 win at Lakeland, plus he had five solo tackles and two tackles for loss including a sack against Antigo. Schreiner had six tackles and forced a fumble at Mosinee, plus he had nine tackles and a sack in a 32-8 non-conference loss at New Richmond in the season opener. Haavisto had six tackles including one for loss against Merrill. Metz had two and a half sacks and three tackles for loss. He had six tackles and a half-sack against Merrill.

In the secondary, Baumgartner and Kleist were firstteam choices at the safety positions, while Kraemer got honorable mention at cornerback. Kleist played a big role filling in run gaps from his safety spot. He had 11 solo tackles in the win at Lakeland, including two for loss. He had eight tackles, including three for loss against Ashland. Baumgartner had two interceptions in the Lakeland game. He and Kraemer were among several players tied for second in the conference with two interceptions in GNC games. Kraemer got his picks against Merrill and Antigo. He had six tackles against Merrill and four solo tackles in wins over Lakeland and Antigo.

Baumgartner also ranked as the second-best punter, averaging 37.9 yards on nine GNC punts.

At linebacker, senior Alex Dittrich and junior Logan Kawa were first-year starters, but they improved and wound up among the team’s leaders in tackles. Dittrich earned second-team All-GNC honors, while Kawa got honorable mention. Dittrich had eight total tackles, including five solo stops and a tackle for loss at Lakeland. He had four solo tackles, including three for loss against Merrill. Kawa was credited with 12 total tackles against Mosinee, including four solo stops and five tackles with one for loss at Hayward.

Mosinee senior Davin Stoffel swept the top individual awards. The wide receiver and linebacker was named the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year. His father, Kyle Stoffel, was named the Coach of the Year in his first year at the helm for the Indians, who, like Medford saw their season end in Level 2 of the WIAA Division 3 playoffs. Mosinee (8-2-1) lost to second-seeded Rice Lake 42-33 in the bracket, while Medford lost 4212 at top-seeded Onalaska. Medford beat Lakeland and Mosinee beat Shawano in Level 1.

All-Region

The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association released its 2022 All-Region teams on Tuesday morning and four Raiders filled five spots on the Region 1 Large Schools team.

The Region includes the Great Northern Conference, Big Rivers Conference, Mississippi Valley Conference, Fox Valley Association and Valley Football Association.

Not only was Kleist a two-way first-team choice in the GNC, he accomplished the same feat in the All-Region selection process as well.

Kleist was one of three players chosen as All-Region tight end/fullbacks. The others were Isaac Dechant of Kimberly and Cade Myszewski of River Falls. Kleist was one of 10 defensive backs placed on the team. He is the only GNC representative in that bunch, which includes four palyers from the Fox Valley Association.

Sperl and Kraegenbrink received All-Region honors on the offensive line, joining a lengthy list of 12 players. They are the only GNC representatives in the All-Region unit, which is led by three players apiece from the Fox Valley Association and Big Rivers Conference.

Schreiner got one of the seven All-Region awards presented to interior defensive linemen. He joins Connor Akey of Wisconsin Rapids, Nathan Drivas of Chippewa Falls, Jesus Gonzalez of Reedsburg, Harrison Grutza and Cal Hansen of Appleton North and Cade Myszewski of River Falls.

The coaches association will announce its All-State teams on Tuesday, Nov. 15.

Academic All-State

In October, four Raiders were named to Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Academic Team for 2022. They included Crabb, Kraemer, Viergutz and defensive back Miles Searles.

To be considered for that award, individuals must be senior letter winners with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.75.

Alex Dittrich Second Team Defense

Riley Brandner Hon. Mention Offense

Logan Kawa Hon. Mention Defense

Miles Searles Academic All-State