‘Jays unbeaten in 8-man

Cooper runs wild again in Athens win

By Casey Krautkramer

Cooper Diedrich continued his impressive senior football season thus far while helping Athens easily beat Flambeau, 46-8, on Friday to remain undefeated in 8-man football.

Diedrich scored Athens’ first two touchdowns against Flambeau, both coming in the second quarter at home. He ran for a 12-yard touchdown and added the two-point conversion run.

He then broke loose for a 40-yard touchdown run and he passed the ball to sophomore tight end Aiden Janke for the two-point conversion. Diedrich also ran for the two-point conversion after senior Caleb Borchardt’s nineyard touchdown to give Athens a 24-0 halftime advantage.

Diedrich scooped up a Flambeau fumble for a 52-yard touchdown return in the third quarter and he also ran for the two-point conversion. He’s scored a total of seven touchdowns so far this season in Athens’ two victories against Owen-Withee and Flambeau.

A football fan following Athens this season might feel like Cooper Diedrich is the Bluejays’ entire team, because he does so much on the field, but that’s certainly not the case, according to head coach Todd Diethelm.

“Cooper is a great player and athlete and I feel him playing 8-man football has really showcased what he can do on the football field,” Diethelm said. “As a senior, he has taken on the leadership role and is leading by example. Cooper’s success only goes as far as his teammates will take him. We have blocked well which has allowed our team to have a great all-around ground game. Teams can’t just key on Cooper because then our other backs and ends will have big games; it truly is a team effort.”

For example, Athens junior Kyler Ellenbecker ran for a three-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of Friday’s win against Flambeau and he added the two-point conversion run. Ellenbecker then scored a 15-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter, but his two-point conversion run failed. Athens senior Caden Decker, a state champion in the pole vault last spring, intercepted a pass against Flambeau.

Caleb Borchardt also scored a touchdown in the team’s season-opening victory against Owen-Withee, and he added a couple two-point conversion runs against the Blackhawks.

Cooper Diedrich has plenty of family support on the Athens football coaching staff. His older brother, Cameron Diedrich, helps head coach Diethelm run the team’s offense. Cooper Diedrich’s father, Craig Diedrich, is the team’s defensive coordinator.

“We always say our football program is family and we’ve taken it to the next level,” Diethelm said.

Athens is ranked No. 6 in this week’s wissports.net 8-man football coaches poll. Athens remains at home this Friday, Sept. 10, against Almond-Bancroft.