August 17, 2022 at 2:22 p.m.
Hodags eager to host Hatchets in opener
Hodags eager to host Hatchets in opener
This group of Hodags has a tough act to follow, replacing 15 starting positions off last year's 8-2 squad that fell to Baraboo on a late red zone stand in the Level 1 playoffs last October.
It's been 10 long months since then and Kraemer said he and his new-look Hodag squad are ready to get back on the field for real again.
"It was a long winter to think about the things we set out to do and the things we fell short of ... but it also gave us the opportunity to see what this group of seniors is all about," Kraemer said. "The 13 (senior) guys that we have to start this season, we're really excited about those guys, and they are molding their own kind of experience just like every other group in front of them."
The Hodags welcome a Tomahawk team that finished in the middle of the Northwoods Conference last year, sneaking into the WIAA playoffs before meeting a Level 1 exit at the hands of Wittenberg-Birnamwood - the team's first trip to the playoffs since 2015.
Tomahawk graduated 12 seniors, including 11 starters from last year's team, but returns four all-conference players for a squad predicted to finish sixth in the eight-team Northwoods Conference this fall by WisSports.net.
"Tomahawk, they want to come in here and show everybody that they belong in this game with us," Kraemer said. "Coach (Sam) Hernandez, he's bringing pride back to that program. They want to show what they can do."
This will be the fifth meeting in the last six seasons between Rhinelander and Tomahawk. The Hodags have won the two most recent meetings, in 2021 and 2019, while Tomahawk won in 2018 and 2017. The teams did not meet during the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
"We've played Tomahawk over the last several years," Kraemer said. "Early on they had our number and we, as of late, have been holding our own. We're excited to host them here. We're excited to see all the fans back in the stands. To welcome Tomahawk to our facilities and have them here, it's going to be an excellent Friday night game."
The Hodags come in off a solid performance in their three-team scrimmage last Friday at Lakeland. They were outscored one touchdown to none against Lakeland but then came back to put up four scores against Northland Pines while keeping the Eagles out of the end zone.
"The one thing I did take from it is, as time went on, we got more and more physical," Kraemer said. "We got up to the pace of the game and our guys started showing their true colors. I can't wait to see them play a full 120-, 130-, 140-play game tonight and show everybody what they're capable of."
Here are five stories to watch going into tonight's game.
Heck to start at QB
What was suspected during camp and the scrimmage was confirmed by Kraemer this week. Junior James Heck will be the opening day starter at quarterback for the Hodags.
Heck has taken the majority of the reps with the No. 1 offense during practice and, between the Green and White intrasquad practice and the Hodags' scrimmage last week, was 12 of 22 passing for 138 yards with one interception.
"We're excited for James. He's someone that when we look at the intangibles of the quarterback position, that's what you want to be able to do," Kraemer said. "And he's had a good first two weeks. We can't wait to see what he's able to do come the season."
Heck beat out sophomore Truman Lamers (preseason: 9-20, 105 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) for the job. Lamers will get the start at safety for the Hodag defense tonight and may see some time at wide receiver after hauling in a 34-yard catch from Heck during last week's scrimmage.
Discipline on D
The Hodags will likely see a spread attack from Tomahawk tonight keyed by returning first-team All-Northwoods Conference quarterback Tyler Jablonski, who completed 50.2% of his passes last year, throwing for 1,276 yards with seven touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
While Jablonski lost his top target from last year in Jake Kaminski, the Hatchets bring back a dynamic dual threat in Mason Evans, who averaged 7.0 yards per carry on only 40 rushing attempts last year and was the team's second-leading receiver, catching 24 passes for 305 yards.
While Tomahawk will likely spread it out, the Hodags will have to be mindful of an option-based ground game.
"When I look at their team, I see a team that wants to hit it inside early to open you up for the pass. We have to be ready for that," Kraemer said. "We have to be disciplined this week in what we do. We have to know what our rules are. They run option, so we have to make sure, defensively, that we're prepared for the option. Then we have to use our strength, which is our secondary, to take the football away. If we can do those things defensively, we're going to be really successful."
Starts up front
Rhinelander actually had more success passing the ball than running it last year against the Hatchets as Cayden Neri was held to 72 yards on 21 carries while quarterback Jacksen Smith was 7 of 10 passing for 174 yards and a score.
But, as the season went on, teams figured out how to run on the Hatchets as they allowed 201.8 yards per game and 5.8 yards per carry on the ground. Given Rhinelander's experienced offensive line, the Hodags may try to establish the ground game early before looking for big plays in the passing game.
"We'll try to establish the run, but we're not afraid to pass it either. You've seen it since the beginning of the year, we've been utilizing our offense differently than we have in the past," Kraemer said. "I'm excited to see how coach Luke (Roberts') first (game) week as a full-time offensive coordinator goes. I can't wait to see his rhythm, his style and then help out as I can. I know he's going to do a great job and I can't wait to see what he's able to do."
Eliminate the mistakes
A holding call and a bad snap hindered two of Rhinelander's drives against Lakeland in last Friday night's scrimmage and though the Hodags defeated Tomahawk 32-0 last year, they are looking for a much cleaner opener than they had a season ago.
In last year's win, the Hodags fumbled the ball six times, but only lost two of them. The team also committed 11 penalties for 75 yards.
"We're looking to make sure those mistakes are taken care of this year so we can maximize what we know we can accomplish," Kraemer said.
Keep it fresh
It figures to be a warm, muggy and potentially rainy evening at Mike Webster Stadium. Because of that, and because it's the first week, Kraemer said he wants to make a point of rotating as many guys in and out of the lineup as possible.
"We want to make sure our kids are prepared and healthy for the end of the year. We don't want to grind them into the ground by playing 11 guys on both sides of the ball," he said. "You're going to see a lot of new faces, a lot of guys rotating into the game. We want to see, for the first two weeks, who can handle varsity football. From there, we get into our conference and we face a tough test in Ashland and then head to Hayward. In the first four games of the season, there's a lot that you're going to be able to see."
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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