December 13, 2021 at 8:29 a.m.
Hodags' Kraemer returning to WFCA All-Star Game
Hodags' Kraemer returning to WFCA All-Star Game
Kraemer was selected to be an assistant coach for the North Large school team for the 2022 edition of the event, which will take place July 16 at Titan Stadium on the campus of UW-Oshkosh.
Shawano's Alan Tomow will serve as the head coach for the North Large team this year and, last week, the WFCA announced the remainder of his coaching staff for the game.
Kraemer said when Tomow called he did not have to think twice about accepting the invitation.
"I was excited about it. I had such a great time last year, representing the North and working with my buddies and coaches that I've grown to respect," Kraemer said. "Any time you get asked to be a part of this - I thought of it last year as coaching the best in the state - and it really was an experience where you get an opportunity to feel a little bit like you're in college again. You're coaching upper-level seniors that represent their half of their state in the game."
Kraemer said he expects next summer's experience to be different in a number of ways. For starters, as an assistant coach, he does not need to worry as much about the logistics of the week as he did last year as the head coach. He also expects the week of practice and activities leading up to the game to be structured differently than last summer, when COVID-19 protocols limited some of the opportunities.
"The pressure's kind of off, which is nice," Kraemer. "I don't have to worry about the whole big picture. I just have to focus on a position group and give back to the rest of the coaches as they need, whatever they need from me."
Though Kraemer will not have any of members of his coaching staff on hand - like this past summer when he was joined by assistant coaches Mike and Luke Roberts - he will still be working with some familiar faces.
Antigo assistant coach Al Fredrickson, who Kraemer said he has worked with the past couple of seasons putting together the Hawgs and Dawgs lineman camp, will be on staff. Kraemer will also share the sideline with good friend and coaching rival Craig Martens of Mosinee.
The two have had a spirited rivalry over the past few seasons as head football and track coaches at their respective schools. Kraemer's Hodags won the GNC boys' track title in 2019 and then defeated Mosinee twice in football during the 2020 season. Martens turned the tables this year as Mosinee edged Rhinelander by five points for the GNC boys' track title in the spring and then defeated Rhinelander on the gridiron 14-7 in October in a game that ended up deciding the conference championship.
"I love him, I do. I think he's a great coach and he does a great job down in Mosinee, but obviously the rivalry is strong between him and I," Kraemer said. "It will be good to coach on the same side for once and to gain a little perspective from him."
Kraemer is 22-7 in three seasons at the helm of the Hodag football program. Rhinelander also reached playoff eligibility in each of the last three seasons, after only two playoff trips prior to 2018 in school history. Rhinelander has also finished second in the GNC each of the last two seasons as it searches for its first football conference title since 1989.
In last July's WFCA All-Star game, the North defeated the South 7-0 on 27-yard pick-six by Kimberly's Damon Loker in the fourth quarter. Rhinelander players Quinn Lamers and Jackson Labs were part of the North roster. Rosters for next summer's game have not yet been announced.
The WFCA All-Star weekend benefits the Children's Wisconsin hospital network. Last year's event raised nearly $296,000 for the cause.
On the field, Kraemer likened the experience to that of a college football camp, between on-campus living and coaching some of the best senior football players in the state.
"I can't wait for the ride. Living in the dorms for a week and coaching is difficult but, at the same time, it's way worth it," he said. "I'm going to get an opportunity to learn a different offense, a different defense that's going to be run here, an opportunity to work with new people and learn new styles. But I also get the opportunity to work with some of the best players in the state at a very high level.
"I thought it rejuvenated the three of us on staff last year - myself, Mike and Luke. It gave us a perspective of where we really wanted to push our players to get to that point too. We came back the next week for camp and had a great time. It gives you an opportunity to get your coaching legs back too before the season begins. It's a great opportunity and I can't wait to do it."
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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