Focused seniors lead Hilbert-Stockbridge football

August 16, 2016

By Ed ByrneThe Brillion News

HILBERT – It doesn’t take long for Hilbert-Stockbridge Head Coach Mike Breckheimer to audit the resources his 2016 team brings to the field.

“We’re small but we’re athletic. We’re going to be quick,” he said. “We have a handful of seniors who have played two or three years already. So we have experience in our senior group.”

The junior class is small, with only four juniors out for football this season, but all four were two-way starters as sophomores in 2015.

“We need some sophomores and freshman to step up and fill some spots, but we have very good athleticism,” Breckheimer said.

Because of the small numbers – a problem at most small high schools in the state – Breckheimer is teaching his top players two or three positions.

“Small schools, nature of the beast,” Breckheimer said.

In drills last week, even in the heat, the quickness of the team was obvious. The Hilbert-Stockbridge playbook maximizes that advantage.

Quarterback Jack Halbach said the team is an emotionally-charged one.

“We have certain guys who show it all the time, and some that let it build up until you need it,” Halbach said. “You’ll never see a dull moment.”

Halbach and junior Bennett Lau are expected to share time at quarterback in an offense that runs the ball a lot, and whose quarterbacks are primarily running backs.

That doesn’t mean the playbook is devoid of passing plays. Far from it, but the passing game will be used intelligently – when it breathes life into the offense.

“You have to mix stuff up,” Halbach said.

Senior Connor Kuhn will work at tight end and split end on offense – along with Tristan Konen, who also is tall and has a condor’s wingspan. On defense, look for Kuhn at safety – both free and weak side.

Kuhn loves defense because of the teamwork it requires.

“Everybody is really working as one,” he said. “We work really well on defense … a team strong point, and we should be good again this year.”

Hilbert lost quite a solid group of seniors when the Class of 2016 graduated, including the spirited Riley Baer and Garrett Sweere.

Please see the complete story in the August 18, 2016 edition of the Lake to Lake Shopper.