August 19, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.
Pigskin preview Week 1: Rhinelander at Tomahawk
Hodags kick off season as the hunted
Pigskin preview Week 1: Rhinelander at Tomahawk
After years of being the down-trodden team that opponents wanted to build their homecoming festivities around, the Hodags are now being circled on opposing calendars for a different reason. Teams know that proving themselves as GNC contenders now means getting a victory over Rhinelander.
Expectations are high entering the season. Rhinelander was picked to finish second in the GNC, according to the conference's media (see related story at left). WisSports.net went one better, predicting the Hodags to edge Medford for the conference title.
"Looking at us at the top of the list, maybe that is different, but the idea that we should be able to compete against the GNC every single year is not one that should be lost on any of our programs," Hodag football coach Aaron Kraemer said. "We should go out and try to compete the best we can and try to win as many conference championships that we can."
While it will not count in the GNC standings, the question of whether the Hodags can live up to those lofty goals will start to be answered tonight in a non-conference contest at Tomahawk.
Rhinelander got a taste of what it's like being the team in the crosshairs last week as Lakeland vociferously celebrated its successes over the Hodags during a three-team scrimmage. Kraemer called it a learning experience for a team that includes a number of new starters on both sides of the football and was without both of its starting middle linebackers last week.
"I do think we got their best shot and they were excited to play us," Kraemer said. "They lost a playoff game to us last year. There's a little animosity there. There always is anyway. We got their best shot and they, by far, did not get ours. We can't wait to play them in Week 3."
Getting someone's best shot will likely continue this week against Tomahawk. Though the Hatchets play in the Northwoods Conference for football, they are GNC rivals for the Hodags in virtually every other conference sport. Plus, the two football programs know each other well from competing in the Northwoods 7-on-7 passing league during the summer.
"I'm really excited to play Tomahawk this first week," Kraemer said. "I think them being a close rival, being near us, there's a little bit of excitement in the air from our players to play against them. Hopefully we can start the year off with a win and just keep on rolling."
Here are five storylines to follow in front of tonight's contest at Hatchet Field.
Learning from scrimmage
Kraemer reiterated this week that there were plenty of pluses and minuses to take from last Friday's three-team scrimmage. The Hodags dominated Northern Elite, but a pair of late turnovers cost Rhinelander as it scored two fewer touchdowns than Lakeland during their session.
The Hodags looked balanced offensively and may have been poised to take the lead from Lakeland if not for a couple of drive-killing procedure penalties during their second offensive possession. Meanwhile, Lakeland exposed some flaws in the Hodags' defense, especially versus the spread. The fixes will likely be put to the test tonight against another spread offense.
But, most importantly, Kraemer said the scrimmage offered a lesson in how to deal with and overcome adversity - which was a trademark of last year's squad.
"We're going to have to grow ourselves as a family, build a new family unit," he said. "With that there are going to be new leaders that come to the forefront and try to lead. We want to make sure we can grow as a family unit first before we start tackling any other issues."
Next man up
Kraemer stated he's excited about his team's depth this year, though that depth may have taken a hit as Joe Schneider was set to undergo further evaluation for the knee injury he sustained in last Friday's scrimmage. As of press time, it was still unclear how many games, if any, Schneider would miss due to the injury - though Kraemer seemed prepared on Tuesday to have to go without one of the squad's key two-way players, at least for some period of time.
"He's a great athlete and a great player and we're going to miss him on the football field, but it's more of his leadership that's going hurt us going forward," he said. "Someone's going to have to step up. It's football. It's next man up."
In addition to being penciled in as a starting safety, Schneider was in the running back rotation and was handling place kicks for the Hodags last week prior to the injury. At least in the secondary and the backfield, junior Kaleb Winter saw an increase in reps after Schneider departed. Kraemer said that would likely be the case again this week, while possibly moving over a cornerback or two to improve the depth at safety.
New identity
Tomahawk is trying to redefine itself entering the 2021 season. The Hatchets went 2-5 last year in a shortened season that included wins over Northern Elite and Crandon, but had plenty of young talent. A good chunk of last year's team returns and the Hatchets have switched to a spread offense and a 3-5 defense to better utilize that talent.
"I really do respect coach (Sam) Hernandez and everything that he's done so far," Kraemer said. "He's a toolbox guy just like I am. He sees who he's got and has to adjust. This year, they're doing a little different as far as their offense and defense is concerned with the guys they have."
Offensively, Bode Imm returns as the signal caller after throwing for 505 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions last year. The team also returns its top three backs in Mason Evans, Logan Bishop and Ryan Skees. Evans was the big-play threat of the trio, averaging 9.9 yards per carry.
"We saw more passing out of Tomahawk in the scrimmage than runs," Kraemer said, referencing the Hatchets four-team preseason tune-up at Colby. "I think they're starting to figure out the system they want to run. It's important to get the ball to the perimeter quick and compete passes in that system and then get the ball downhill with the zone run, or a one-back power."
Defensively, Jake Kaminski and Evans were the team's two leading tacklers next year. Kraemer said the team possesses skill on that side of the ball - especially at corner, inside linebacker and defensive line.
Expect to see Rhinelander backs Cayden Neri and Caleb Olcikas work up a lather early, as Kraemer said the best defense against the spread is a good offense.
"When you play against a spread team, what you want to do is control the football. Spread teams want to move as fast as they possibly can and when you take them out of rhythm, it's very difficult for them to get going," he said. "Against a 3-5 defense, it's going to be difficult to run the ball inside because they pack everything in with eight guys in the box. We're going to have to find ways to get the ball to the perimeter and then do our best to keep them honest inside as well."
Outside the GNC
Tonight's game will mark only the second time since the end of the 2019 season that Rhinelander has ventured outside the Great Northern Conference. Save a hastily put together game against Stratford last October after both teams lost their scheduled Week 5 opponents, Rhinelander has not played an opponent outside the GNC since a Level 1 playoff loss at River Falls two years ago.
There's a chance tonight's game could be the only non-conference opponent Rhinelander faces until a potential postseason matchup this year. The team has yet to find a Week 2 replacement for Wausau East, which canceled its varsity season due to low numbers, and it will be GNC opponents the rest of the way beginning in Week 3.
Tonight's game will mark the fourth meeting between Rhinelander and Tomahawk in the last five seasons. Tomahawk won the meetings in 2017 and 2018, but the Hodags routed the Hatchets 48-6 in 2019.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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