Marathon wins its season opener

Thurs scores pair of rushing touchdowns

By Casey Krautkramer

The Marathon varsity football team’s defense surrendered two straight touchdowns to Kenosha Christian Life to begin Friday night’s road season-opening game. The Red Raiders then shut down the Eagles’ offense the rest of the night to escape Kenosha with a 28-14 win.

Senior returning starter Cooper Hoeksema began the game as Marathon’s quarterback until head coach Ryan Winkler brought in his versatile backup, sophomore True Thurs, who made things happen with his legs.

Marathon’s offense started to heat up in the second quarter thanks to Thurs’ pair of rushing touchdowns. Thurs ran for a four-yard touchdown and junior Cody Radtke kicked the successful extra point. Thurs ran for a two-year touchdown but Radtke missed the extra point kick. Kenosha Christian Life held onto a slim 14-13 halftime advantage.

Thurs went back to work in the third quarter by handing the football off to senior Noah Thompson who then handed the ball off to sophomore Chris Marcell for a four-yard touchdown run. Thurs rushed for the twopoint conversion to give Marathon a 21-14 lead against Kenosha Christian Life.

Thompson capped off the team’s scoring with a three-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Radtke’s extra point kick was successful.

Marathon’s special teams unit blocked a punt in the second quarter of Friday’s game. Red Raiders senior defensive back Tyler Underwood intercepted a pass in the third quarter and he returned the football 35 yards. Senior linebacker Luke Aschbrenner led Marathon’s defense with 13 tackles. Sophomore defensive lineman Mitchell Zemke contributed seven tackles while senior defensive lineman Ethan Hale, junior linebacker Braxton Jourdan and sophomore defensive back Drew Woelfel had six tackles apiece.

Winkler is in the midst of his sixth season as Marathon’s head varsity football coach. He is again calling the offensive plays and Red Raiders alum Vince Dinnkel is back as defensive coordinator. Other varsity assistant coaches are Jon Kleinschmidt, Chad Thurs and Jeff Schneider.

Marathon returns five starting players on both sides of the football this season. The team’s top returning players are seniors Tyler Underwood, wide receiver and defensive back; Luke Aschbrenner, offensive lineman and linebacker; Payton Lawrence, offensive and defensive lineman; Cooper Hoeksema, quarterback and defensive back and Ethan Hale, offensive and defensive lineman. The team’s top newcomers who’ll see playing time on the varsity squad this season are seniors Christian Pintor and Jake Lepak, offensive and defensive linemen; senior Noah Thompson, running back and defensive lineman; juniors Braxton Jourdan, offensive lineman and linebacker; Logan Witberler, wide receiver and defensive back; Blake Kraft, running back and defensive back; Cody Radtke, wide receiver, defensive back and kicker; sophomore True Thurs, quarterback and defensive back; sophomore Nathan Hoenisch, running back and defensive back; sophomore Chris Marcell, running back and defensive back; sophomore Drew Woelfel, tight end and defensive back; sophomore Landon Sneider, wide receiver and defensive back; sophomore Cale Quaintance, wide receiver, defensive back and returner and sophomore Mitchell Zemke, offensive and defensive lineman.

Marathon lost star running back Matt Annis to graduation. He is now playing football at UW-Stout this fall. Despite the big loss, coach Winkler is confident in his running backs this season.

“The team this year will look to get offensive yards by committee,” he said. “Noah Thompson will get his chance to run the ball and there are some younger players who will also get an opportunity. We feel that we should be able to throw the ball this year with Tyler Underwood being the featured receiver, but there are other players who will contribute. Drew Woelfel is a nice blocking tight end who is also a nice target in the passing game. Logan Witberler and Cody Radtke are also nice receiving targets.”

Coach Winkler is happy to have star defensive players Payton Lawrence and Luke Aschbrenner back this season.

“Payton has worked really hard in preparation for his senior season,” he said. “He, along with Luke Aschbrenner, will be leaders on both sides of the ball for the team this year. The focus of the defense this year is to let the players react and play fast by simplifying what we do.” Winkler isn’t concerned about his team playing three straight road games to start this season.