The Journal Times from Racine, Wisconsin • 34

i 4 i i i 4 i i 4 I 1 1 1 ffr 1 1 1996 RACINE ALL-COUNTY FOOTBALL A lYovember 29, 1996 tfot Journal Tumi PJttaf Sam Manchester Ellis knew how to harness team's talent BY PETER JACKEl" Journal Turns 1S96; Chuck EM, Park 1 S95: Scott Smith, Luthorart 1S4: Scott NlcolaJ, Union trove t93: Dm D-rton, Burttofltoa 192: Ph Doobs, fwt 1991: Atite Schmidt, Cam. Central 1190: Augla Schmidt, Catfc. Central 1989: Dennis Malkowtki, C-dral IMS: Debba, Park 1947: Jm Welsh, St Catherine's 1986: Gene Vett, Can 1983: Ptil Dobbs, Park 1IM: Dm DaltM, turilmjtM 1981 Dennis MalkowsaJ, Ca. Ceatrai 1982: PhH Dobbs, Park 1981: Dave Krause, Horikk Vett, Case question about that," Larry said. "But you still have to know the game and be able to relate to the players.

You've still got to make them play for you. And the thing Chuck did was he let every coach do their job. He didn't come in like a dictator and say 'We're going to do things my To come in and go 11 2 your first year and almost make it to state, you've got to know the game. That just doesn't happen," Jim Winters, Park's long-time offensive line coach, will tell you Ellis was more than a coach, "He' a tremendous human being, father and family man and all of those traits he carried over into his coaching," Winters said. "He teaches kids about life and how football will help prepare you for life down the road," taining a program that hadn't had a losing season since I'JW, which had advanced as far as the Division 1 semifinals three times since I'Jtfi and which won the I9a state championship.

Did Ellis feel that pressure? You bet he did, J'm really happy that we were able to keep that same continuity to the program the same thing this program has been know for throughout the years," Ellis, 48, said. "It's easier to take a program that's not expected to do anything and then whatever you do is a plus fur that program, When you take a program that's well-established like this one is, it's much tougher" Michael Urry, the Panthers' offensive coordinator, said Ellis was a coach in the truest sense of the word. The program was a good program no extra to it. He handled all those tasks extreme well and kept the ship on Considering the Panthers finished with an 11-2 record and came within one game of making it to the WIAA Division championship game, you can safely say ElUs got the most out of his considerable talent. The Journal Times' sports department thought as much, naming Ellis the All Racine County Coach of the Year.

Ellis won in a close vote that also included Waterford's Dave Milatz, Lutheran's Scott Smith and Burlington's Steve Gerber. If you contend Ellis' challenge was merely maintauung the status quo, you should also consider he had one heck of a status quo to maintain. Yes, Ellis inherited considerable tal-ent, but he also inherited the burden of sus No, Chuck Cilia didn't merely push buttons. He didn't just tell Eric Hamilton to take that ball and run with It, He didn't just tell Kevin Barry to knock some overmatched defensive laekk out of a frame of film. And he didn't just tell Frank Sanchej to sleamroli running backs into the turf.

Say what you want about the- talent Ellis inherited when he replaced Phil Dobbs as the IVk High School football team's coach last spring. Ellis still had to put it together and make it ork. Or as iJobbs said, "Let me tell you there's a Jut of surprises that you get when you're the coach for the first time. There is so much BV PETER JACKEL Jmimal Timet are capsule summaries of the first team players HP on the All Racine County football team: Tony Romo, Burlington Cory Ellis Park Collum Case Cartagena St. Catherine's Player of the Year Kevin Barry, Park Coach of the Year Chuck Ellis, Park FIRST TEAM Offense Quarterback Tony Romo.

6-2, 200. Burlington Running backs Ere Hamilton, 5-9. 180. Park Andro Cartagena, 5-11, 235, St. Catherine's Erie Griffin.

5-9. 1 42. jr, Lutheran Receivers Steve Tenhagon. 6-4, 195, Burlington Jeremy James, 6-1, 165, Burlington Linemen Kevin Barry, 6-5. 31 5, Park Cory Ellis, 6-4.

265. Park Dan Spaulding. 6-1, 270. Park Chris Mingus. 6-3.

265, Waterford Tony Long, 6-1. 310, Lutheran Kicker T.J. Heam, 6-3, 160, Park Defense Linemen Kevin Barry. Park Cory Ellis. Park Keith Kendall, 225, Burlington Brad Koballa, 5-9, 175, Burlington Linebackers Cardell Gallagher, 6-0.

185, jr Horlick Frank Sanchez, 6-0, 230, Park Robbie Savaglio, 6-3, 190, Lutheran Blaine Warren, 6-2, 190, Catholic Central Backs Mike Rhone, 5-9, 175, Horlick Robby Collum, 6-0, 190. Case Adrian McNeal, 6-0, 185, Park Punter Brad Londre, 6-1. 210, Horlick SECOND TEAM Offense Hamilton Park Griffin Lutheran Gallagher Horlick Wit rf ii What is. it with these Burl gton quarterbacks? Romo joined former Demon quarterbacks Tom Kerkhoff, Mitch and' Matt Parrs, Ryan Dassault and Ryan Hoffman as first-team All County quarterbacks after completing 123 of ju passes for 1,851 yards, with 28 touchdowns ami 10 interceptions, Romo was helped by the presence of 6-fuot-4 receiver Sttvenhagen, who caught 56 of his passes, but coach Steve Gerber will tell you this honorable mention All State and first-team AHSouthern Lakes Conference East Division pick was talented in his own right yo was able to see coverage," Gerber said. "We tried to prepare him for what he would see, but it's still up to him to open the right window.

He sees things that you almost can't coach," Andre Cartagena, St. Catherine's St. Catherine's coach Vine Kostos nominated Cartagena for county Player of the Year honors and he certainly had a sound argument. This 511, 235-pound senior simply never left the field, rushing for 9(3 yards, finishing second in scoring In the County to Park's Eric Hamilton with I0B points, catching 19 passes for 176 yards, doubling as an outstanding defensive end, returning kicks and playing on special teams. "He contributed significantly in all aspects of the game," Kostos said of the two-time first-team WIFA Midwest Conference player.

Eric Hamilton. Park When you're a running back and you're being compared to Brent you know you're someone unique. Hamilton earned those comparisons this season after breaking Moss' single-season rushing record with 2,481 yards to go along with 21 touchdowns. Hamilton, a first-team All-State and All-Southeast Conference South Division player, rushed for 100 yards or more in 11 of Park's 13 games and exceeded the 200-yard barrier six times, Eric Griffin, Lutheran The Crusaders relied primarily on the right arm of Mike Chrtsk'Ufcen, a four-year starter at quarterback, but the running dimension Griffin provided certainly enhanced Christeascn's effectiveness. Griffin eased the graduation loss of All-Racine County Player of the Year Ricky Collum by rushing for 1,153 yards second to Park's Eric Hamilton in the county and scoring six touchdowns in earning first-team All-Midwest Classic Conference honors.

Cory Ellis, Park Maybe if he didn't have Kevin Barry for a teammate, Ellis would have been more noticed than he was, but Park's coaches certainly noticed. Much of tailback Eric Hamilton's yardage came on toss plays, especially early in the season, and Ellis' reach blocks at left tackle were instrumental in those gains. "He understood the offense and what we were trying to do," Park offensive line coach Jim Winters said of the honorable mention All-State and first-team All-SEC South Division player. Defensively, Ellis, son of Park coach Chuck Ellis, also was a force at an end with 10 solo tackles, 33 assists and four sacks. Chris Mingus, Waterford The Wolverines earned the first WIAA playoff berth in the history of the school this season and Mingus was one of the biggest reasons why.

Regarded by coach Dave Milatz as "our most noticed player," this 6-3, 265-pound senior, a first-team AU-SLC East Division player, was instrumental in the Wolverines rushing for 2,105 yards, second highest among the nine county teams. Mingus also excelled defensively, with 22 solo tackles, 24 assists, six sacks and five tackles for loss. Dan Spaulding, Park Hearn Park Kendall Burlington James Burlington Jeremy James, Burlington The presence of this first-team AU-SLC East Division pick next season should keep Burlington's passing offense in gear, even with the graduation loss of Tenhagen. James, asked to play both split end and flanker this season, used his 4 6-second speed in the 40 to catch 37 passes for 578 yards an impressive average of 15.6 yards per reception and eight touchdowns. "lie has tremendous hands and normally made the first tack-k'r Gerber said, "He always stood out on tape with his downfteld blocking when the ball wasn't coming in his direction.

T.J. Hearn, Park It almost didn't seem fair that this junior was on hand in the rare iastances when Park's offease was stopped in the red zone, Hearn, who doubles as a member of the Panthers' soccer team, earned second-team All-SEC South Division honors after making field goals of 29, 31, 28, 33 and 30 yards and kicking 33 extra points. Ilt Keith Kendall, Burlington 11 sfiegarded by Gerber as "the foundation of our defense that aatve up only 77 points (in eight conference games)" Kendall ptt up spectacular numbers that included 34 solo tackles, 16 assksts, three sacks, eight tackles for loss and four forced fumbles. The left tackle, a three-year varsity starter who earned first-team AH-SIjC Eastern Division honors, was aLso, "very difficult to run on," according to Gerber. Brad Koballa, Burlington Koballa liked to watch films of opponents to prepare himself for games and thLs senior nose guard obviously paid close attention.

He led the Demons in solo tackles with 67 and aLso was credited with six sacks, 11 tackles for loss, two knockdowns and three forced fumbles in earning first team All-SLC Eastern Division honors. Frank Sanchez, Park He threw hard as a left-handed pitcher for Park's baseball team and he may have hit people even harder as a linebacker. Regarded by Park coach Chuck Ellis as "the hardest-hitter in the state of Wisconsin," Sanchez earned first-team All-State and All-SEC South Division honors after leading Park in solo tackles with 34. He was rarely asked to rush the passer in Park's gap-control defease, but he was noticed nevertheless. "He was a very tough, rugged player and he didn't allow himself to get tied up on one block, Park assistant coach Mike Beck said.

"We always knew Frank was going to be in the right place." Cardell Gallagher, Horlick While Horlick struggled through a 1-8 record, opponents always knew they were in for a challenge with Gallagher. A ferocious hitter, this first-team All-SEC South Division player was credited with 53 solo tackles, 72 assists, five sacks, 11 tackles for loss, two interceptions and two(passes batted down. He also helped carry the load on offense when running back Nick Collova was injured late in the season. "Every game, he had two or three big hits, hits people would ooh and ahh about," Horlick coach George Machado said. "He covered sideline to sideline as well as any linebacker I ever coached and he's only a junior." Robbie Savaglio, Lutheran This junior, considered by coach Scott Smith as the key to the Crusaders' defense, broke a 22-year-old school record with 137 tackles 75 of them solo in earning first-team All-WIFA Classic Conference honors.

"He had a good nose for the ball," Catholic Central coach Tbm Aldrich said. "He was an integral part of their defense and as it gelled, he became a stronger force I wish he was a Blaine Warren, Catholic Central As if leading the Hilltoppers in rushing wasn't impressive enough, Warren doubled as a linebacker who was named the WIFA Classic Conference's Defensive Player of the Year. Despite almost never being blitzed by coach Tom Aldrich, he still finished with seven tackles for loss during the regular season and also had 56 tackles, 31 assists, three forced fumbles and an interception. "He could read the offense and he knew what his responsibilities were," Aldrich said. "He just Itfyed to play football, especially on the defensive side." i' Mike Rhone, Horlick Perhaps the most of the season by a county player was by jtliijjr against Kettle Moraine Oct.

11, when he intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble despite having torn cartilage in his knee early in the game. Rhone didn't play the final two games of the season because of the injury, but still finished with 26 solo tackles, 38 assists, two sacks, four tackles for loss, six interceptions and eight knockdowns. "He's got uncanny quickness," Machado said of the first-team All-SEC South Division player. "There were times when he was beaten, but he would break on the ball and recover." Robby Collum, Case The Collum legacy lives on in Racine. One year after his brother, Ricky, earned All-Racine County player of the Year honors for Racine Lutheran, Robby is making a reputation of his own.

Despite being just a sophomore, this strong safety earned first-team All-SEC South Division honors after finishing with 29 unassisted tackles, and three tackles for loss. Adrian McNeal, Park Sfy fr A ij McNeal Park Mingus Waterford Long Lutheran 1 -rr-WtlM WW Sanchez Park Rhone Horlick Romo Burlington Quarterback Mike Christensen. 6-2, 180, Lutheran Running backs Nick Collova. 5-8, 180, Horlick Doug Wagner, 5-1 1, 200, Waterford Blaine Warren, Catholic Central Receivers Mark Malone, 5-11, 140, St. Catherine's Mike Friesma, 5-11, 175, Lutheran Linemen Max Krejcha, 6-0, 275, St.

Catherine's Matt Cramer, 6-8, 315, Waterford Marcus Schlater, 6-3, 200, Catholic Central Mike Payan, 6-0, 225, Park Kevin Stephens, 6-3, 190, Lutheran Kicker Jason Morgan, 6-1, 180, Union Grove Defense Linemen Nate Ludtke, 6-0, 180, Waterford Man Cramer, Waterford Leu Gillem, 6-2, 190, Case Nick Seeger, 6-1, 240, Case Linebackers Ryan Moe, 5-10, 175, Union Grove Darius Nunn, 5-11, 195, Park Dan Malone, 6-0, 170, Waterford Jim Olsson, 5-9, 175, Waterford Backs Brad Kamrath, 5-1 1, 165, Waterford Eric Feest, 5-8, 150, Park Jeff Tenhagen, 5-11, 195, Burlington Punter Pat Cronin, 6-2, St. Catherine's HONORABLE MENTION Burlington Tim Moersfelder, 6-1 220, Ryan Helgastad, 5-1 1 1 95. Nate Breske, 6-1. 185. sr.

Case Dan DeLeon, 6-0, 210, Jay Luther, 5-7, 163, Yarnell Moten, jr. Catholic Central Jason Rapinchuk, 5-11, 155, Josh Giersch, 6-4, 250, Joe Vrchota, 5-10, 150, sr. Horlick Eric Thompson, 5-9, 190, Jason Johnson, 6-0, 250, Ryan Nelson, 5-10, 175, Lutheran Len Tekus, 6-4, 183, Nick Fick, 6-2, 162, Curt Mierow, 5-10, 157, sr. Park Robert Laduron, Aaron Perfetto, 6-1, 275, Dan Saldana, 5-11, 190, sr. St.

Catherine's Matt Szudajski, 5-10, 1 85, Keith Emmons, 5-6, 140, Marcus Baskin, 5-10, 225, sr. Union Grove Justin Demant, 5-8, 180, Jason Vermeer, 6-0, 155, Dusty Svendsen, 6-2, 280, Waterford Pedro Perez, 5-10, 160, Kyle Kasprzyk, 6-3, 280, Chris Dement, 5-8, 140, jr: 1 1 Spaulding Tenhagen Burlington Park I 1 Savaglio Lutheran lamwar la He was pressed, into a starting role midway through his junior season in 1995 when Aaron Lamers suffered a season-ending knee injury, but Spaulding made the position all his own as a senior. The first-team All-SEC South Division player, who moved from left guard as a junior to the right side, was a leader of the Panthers' offensive line, calling out blocking schemes at the line of scrimmage. "He was probably the senior Spokesman of the line," Winters said. "He just wanted it so badly.

Football is just everything to him at this particular point of his life." Tony Long, Lutheran Long, a transfer from Horlick, was ineligible at the start of the season and not coincidentally, the Crusaders started out with an 0-2 record. When he joined the team, Lutheran's offensive line solidified and an almost entirely different team emerged. With Christensen getting the time to pass and Griffin finding holes to hit, the Crusaders ran off eight straight victories before losing to Stevens Point Pacelli in a WISAA Division 3 semifinal game. "He solidified us," Lutheran ioach Scott Smith said of the first-team All-WIFA Classic Division player. Steve Tenhagen, Burlington You could easily make a case for Tenhagen being one of the most productive receivers in the history of Racine County high school football.

He was outstanding as a junior, but was in a class by himself this season, catching 56 passes for 933 yards an exceptional average of 16.6 yards per reception and 15 touchdowns as both a split end and tight end. "He was a kid who had the ability to catch the ball over the middle when he knew he would be in linebacker territory and not flinch, but you also could go vertical with him," Gerber said of the second-team All-State and first-team AH-SLC East Division player. Warren Cath. Central Ellis Park Barry Park With teammates the magnitude of Barry, Ellis, Hamilton and Sanchez, it was understandable that McNeal would be lost in the shuffle, but he still produced big-time numbers. Defensively, he was Park's most reliable cover man with five interceptions whe offensively, he averaged 19.5 yards on 17 receptions.

Brad Londre, Horlick Although just a sophomore, Londre narrowly missed out on All-State recognition after averaging 41.0 yards on 26 punts. He had 13 punts of more than 40 yards, three of more than 50, five of his kicks were inside the 10-yard-line and none were blocked. Photos of All-County first-team selections Brad Londre, of Horlick, and Brad Koballa, of Burlington, were not available BARRY Dominated line of scrimmage on throughout his high school years. Because of the current NCAA clearing house rules on core courses, the LD courses at the present time do not meet the criteria for the NCAA clearing house course requirements. "We are currently exploring his options for eligibility.

He is a talented man and an outstanding person and I have full confidence he's going to find a good situation to play football at college and possibly all frorft him, he'd show you something else. "He's the only player I know who could dominate a game like that, who could run backs down from sideline to sideline." If not for his size, you'd never guess all of this was inside Barry. The fourth of Roger and Patricia's six children projects himself as soft-spoken and shy and he's an aspiring artist who has had some of his work displayed at the Wultum Art Museum. myself and get better for this year. "I knew I could be better, but I wasn't living up to the expectations I should have been." There's no telling what's next for Barry.

A scholarship to a major college is in limbo at the moment since he has a learning disability and doesn't meet college entrance requirements. As Park activities director Phil Dobbs explains, "Kevin has been in our LD progran And you'd never have guessed all of this was inside Barry based on his junior season, when he was merely a second-team pick as an offensive tackle on the All-County team. But from the moment, he reported to practice last summer, he was clearly a different player. "Track helped give me quickness and get stronger," Barry said. "And during the summer, I weight lifted and ran a lot to condition EronLPfigv 10 attempts.

Defensively, he was simply all over the field, being credited with 26 solo tackles, 47 first hits, 59 assists, seven sacks, two passes batted down, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. "From the first week this season, I thought he should be All-State," Park coach Chuck Ellis said. "Nobody on our team could do any- thing with him. When you thought you saw it 1.