Tigers eye third straight state title

By Casey Krautkramer

German foreign exchange student Laurenz Plattner’s 32-yard winning field goal gave Stratford’s varsity football team a thrilling 10-7 win against Darlington in the WIAA Division 6 state championship last season. Stratford tied a state record among all divisions with its ninth state football title.

Stratford has won back-to-back Division 6 state championships going into this season in which the WIAA’s competitive balance system moved the Tigers up to Division 5. Stratford coaches, players and managers involved in the last two state titles will forever remember the experience, but 12th year head coach Jason Tubbs said this year’s Tigers have a lot of work to do this season if they want to win the program’s third consecutive state championship.

“Our goal every year is to prepare ourselves for deep runs in the playoffs,” Tubbs said. “Past teams’ accomplishments are incredible, but this year’s team needs to focus on winning one game at a time.”

Stratford’s football team lost many top players from the last two seasons’ state championship teams to graduation, so now it’s time for the Tigers to reload instead of rebuild.

“Stratford athletes work really hard in their other sports and in the off seasons, which in my opinion keeps our football program strong every season,” Tubbs aid.

The Tigers’ top returning varsity football players this season are senior quarterback and safety Jack Tubbs, senior wide receiver and cornerback Jett Schoenherr, senior offensive and defensive linemen Carter Lueck and Walker Weis and senior linebacker Caleb Wrensch.

Stratford’s top newcomers who’ll see playing time on this year’s varsity team are senior running back and linebacker Reid Miller, seniors tight end and linebacker Xander Curtice, senior running back and safety Alec Chapel and junior wide receiver and defensive back Coltan Breit.

Marshall Lehman is in his 12th season as Stratford’s defensive coordinator and Greg Belter is in his fourth season as the team’s offensive coordinator.

The head coach’s son, Jack Tubbs, is in his second season as Stratford’s starting quarterback.

“Jack’s knowledge of the playbook has really shown this season so far,” Jason Tubbs said. “He has confidence that he can make the needed plays to win big games.”

Stratford has the tough task of filling the void left by star running back Koehler

See STRATFORD FOOTBALL page 16

STRATFORD TIGERS FOOTBALL - Introducing the 2024 Stratford varsity football squad. Team members pictured, from left to right, first row are: Managers Emalie Gebelein and Amanda Budtke, Austin Niehaus, Mason Miller, Lucas Forrest, Owen Lueck, Mathias Kaiser, Ashton Bushman, Caleb Wrensch, Devin Moore, Kolton Haupt and managers Alexis Pribnow and Briseida Trejo; second row: Assistant coaches Curt Schmidt, Scott Bauman, Blake Lehman, Ryan Bloom and Greg Belter, head coach Jason Tubbs and assistant coaches Kellen Kafka, Kris Berg, Marshall Lehman, Tanner Schlender and Gene Shedlow. Third row: Aaron Knetter, Jack Tubbs, Reese Terry, Kaden Ostricki, Carter Foster, Jaden Weis, Parker Glenn, Willie Casperson, Andre Terry and Mason Oertel; Fourth row: Reid Miller, Cody Randow, Cayden Leonhardt, Jett Schoenherr, Jaegar Ormond, Brooks Vanderhoof, Walker Weis, Tyler Budtke and Thomas Bangart; Fifth row: Lucas Sauter, Will Kraus, Carter Lueck, Xander Curtice, Alec Chapel, Ryan Christopherson, Matt Kolb and Masyn Bredl-Hryndej; Sixth row: Jack Remus, Brady Berg, Brandon Knetter, Connor Kreft, Drew Gage, John Mews and Coltan Breit. STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER Stratford football

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Kilty who graduated high school in spring.

“Reid Miller has worked extremely hard to be our starting running back going into the season,” Jason Tubbs said. “Replacing Koehler is a tough task for any football player, but Reid and Brooks Vanderhoof are great athletes and will compete on every down.”

Jett Schoenherr’s blazing speed is a valuable asset for Stratford again this season.

“Jett is looking great so far and we’re excited to see what he can do when he gets the ball in his hands,” Jason Tubbs said.

Straford begins its season at 7 p.m. this Friday, Aug. 23, at Tigers Stadium against Mosinee, which it plays to start the season every year. The Indians should give the Tigers another tough test to start the season like they always do.

“Mosinee is well coached and has a lot of perimeter athletes that will push our guys to the last down in the game,” Jason Tubbs said.