August 9, 2021 at 8:01 a.m.
Hodags wrap up first week with Family Day
Hodags wrap up first week with Family Day
Aside from a brief downpour at the end, Saturday's Hodag Football family day went off without a hitch at Mike Webster Stadium. Both sides in Rhinelander's intrasquad practice found the end zone once and, overall, coach Aaron Kraemer said the roughly two-hour practice was a good way to end the first week of the preseason.
"All we wanted to do today is come out and execute the plays we ran for the first week, offensively and defensively," he said. "I think we have some really good seniors and senior leadership. It was an opportunity for our senior group to lead the younger kids and then how the younger kids stepped up and filled roles.
"It was a great day for us, Green and White both, there were some successful things that we were able to do. Our defense is good so, offensively, we just have to keep pushing. Our defense can help us be a better offense. We're just going to keep doing the best we can and keep growing."
Rhinelander's varsity/JV roster of 46 players was split into two evenly-matched squads for the scrimmage. Neither side was afraid to get after the other, even though the practice was done in half shell (helmets and shoulder pads only) and not full contact, due to WIAA acclimatization protocol.
No moment exemplified that mentality better than a play at the end of the Green offense's second offensive possession when returning all-Great Northern Conference tailback Cayden Neri was tracked down and stopped short of the end zone on fourth-and-goal by his fellow all-conference running back Caleb Olcikas.
Olcikas then got the better of Neri and the Green defense, bursting off right end for a 65-yard touchdown run during the White offense's second possession.
"Those guys, they're after each other all the time," Kraemer said. "It was very good competition today. I thought it was a good practice. I can't wait to watch the film and see what we can continue to work on to be ready for next week's scrimmage."
Senior Jacksen Smith, who has emerged from the first week of camp as the front runner to replace the graduated Quinn Lamers at quarterback, looked sharp on Saturday, completing 9 of his 12 pass attempts for 102 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown to Arik Beske late in the practice as Beske beat his twin brother, Jaden, in coverage on a fade route.
Neri finished with 60 yards on 10 carries -including a 30-yard scamper on toss play that helped the Green team convert a fourth-and-16 deep in its own territory. Olcikas had 70 yards on six carries, but was held in check aside from his touchdown scamper.
Both Arik Beske and Joe Schneider finished with three catches in the practice and Beske intercepted a pass by White team quarterback James Heck late in Saturday's session.
Aside from a couple of big chunk plays, both defenses held the upper hand in Saturday's practice.
"Our defense is going to be good this year," Kraemer said. "I really can't wait to see them all together. They just fly around. Our safeties are always up at the line of scrimmage making plays. We have very, very good linebackers and a defensive line and a secondary that takes care of them too."
In addition to the varsity segments of the event, there was a 7-on-7 tournament for players in Grades 6-9, a punt catch competition for dads along with concession sales and test drives from Rhinelander GM & Toyota to benefit the Hodag Gridiron Club. A planned relay race with players and their mothers was nixed due to the late-practice downpour that sent fans scurrying for cover.
"It really is just bringing everyone together. We want everyone to be here and enjoy our football program," Kraemer said. "This is a family after all, so we want everyone to be around and enjoy the day."
The Hodags get to don full pads this week and conduct some full-contact practice sessions - news that was met with a boisterous roar in the team's post-practice huddle. This coming week will end with the Hodags hosting Lakeland and Northern Elite (Niagara/Pembine/Goodman) in a three-team scrimmage Friday night at Mike Webster Stadium. Northern Elite was a late replacement for Northland Pines, which backed out of the scrimmage.
"They're excited, they can't wait to get cracking and I can't wait to get cracking on Monday. It's going to be a good week," Kraemer said. "Just like today, we're going to come and execute offensively and defensively and learn from it so we're prepared for Tomahawk two Fridays from now."
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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