Athens seeking a playoff berth

By Casey Krautkramer

It would be a huge accomplishment for the Athens varsity football team to qualify for the eight-man football playoffs this season. The Bluejays were eligible for the eight-man playoffs for the first time last season but they unfortunately didn’t qualify for them. High school football teams in Wisconsin are required to wait two seasons upon switching from 11-man to eight-man football before they are eligible for the playoffs.

Todd Diethelm enters his eighth year as the Athens varsity football head coach and offensive coordinator. He explains how teams can qualify for the eight-man playoffs.

“Eight-man is different from 11-man because it takes what they deem what 16 teams should be in the playoffs and then they are placed in a 16-team bracket,” he said. Last year, the worst record to make the playoffs in eight-man football was 6-2. To make the playoffs would be great for our kids and reward them for the time they put into this sport. Our community loves football and loves to support our team, and a playoff push would mean a lot.”

Athens finished last season with a 2-3 record in the CWC-East and a 4-5 record overall. Shawn Steinke is in his sixth season as the Bluejays defensive coordinator. Matt Ellenbecker and Andy Thurs are in their second seasons as varsity assistant coaches.

The Bluejays’ top returning varsity football players this season are senior offensive and defensive lineman Gavin Glenn; senior running back and linebacker Kyle Schreiner; senior tight end and defensive end Austin Dean; junior running back and linebacker Evan Passehl; junior offensive and defensive lineman Jordan Frahm; junior quarterback, running back and defensive back Kam Zarnke; sophomore quarterback, running back, tight end and defensive back Dax Diethelm and sophomore offensive and defensive lineman Cole Hartmann.

Zarnke began last season as Athens’ starting quarterback until he suffered an injury and was out for the remainder of the year. Dax Diethelm then took over as the team’s starting quarterback. Coach Diethelm explains his strategy this season for utilizing both of their many talents on the football field.

“I will be using both Kam and Dax at quarterback,” he said. “They both bring something to the quarterback position and are very versatile and can play multiple positions which you will see throughout the year.”

Athens switches from the CWC-East to the Northwoods East Conference this season and will thus play many new opponents like Hurley which is in its first season playing eight-man football.

“We play who is on our schedule but it’s always fun to play schools you are not familiar with and see how good teams are in the other areas of the state,” Todd Diethelm said. “Hurley has been a powerhouse 11-man football team for many years and they will be a challenge for any eight-man football that they face.”

Athens begins its season at 7 p.m. this

ATHENS BLUEJAYS FOOTBALL - Introducing the 2024 Athens varsity football squad. Team members pictured, from left to right, front row are: Bradley Schmidt, Alex Belter, Kian Ellenbecker, Christopher Velazques, Kam Zarnke, Jeffrey Draper and Austin Dean; middle row: Brock Beaty, Jordan Frahm, Gavin Glenn, Dax Diethelm, Gavin Frahm, Garrett Frahm and Mason Belter; back row: Ted Schultz-Becker, Eli Schaer, Eli Schaer, Evin Passehl, Cole Hartmann, Kyle Schreiner, Shaylon Blake and Kaleb Cracraft.

PHOTO BY CHRIS KEPNER