Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net

Many high school football standouts in Wisconsin go on to big things at the college level and in the pros, and this is our spot to recognize those athletes each week and help you keep up with what is going down on some of your favorite players from the past. If you have alumni news, please send it to Colton Wilson by 4 p.m. on Tuesdays.

College football is back! Yes, there were a handful of games two weekends ago, but this past weekend saw most colleges at all levels begin their seasons. Each new season brings chances for athletes all around the country to achieve that first start, first tackle, or any other number of firsts on the field. That was very true with multiple Wisconsin athletes over the weekend.

Former Menomonie standout Nathan Stanley led the Iowa Hawkeyes to a 24-6 win over Wyoming in his first collegiate start. The sohpomore quarterback threw for 125 and his 3 touchdowns for the Hawkeyes. On the other side of the ball, true freshman Alonzo Velazquez of Janesville Parker started his first game at left guard for Wyoming.

Two other freshman lineman Sam Heckel (Waukesha West) and Airon Servais (Ashwaubenon) started their first collegiate game in Syracuse’s dominating 50-7 win over Central Connecticut State.

UW-Stevens Point’s 34-33 double overtime win over St. Norbert College saw many in-state recruits make big contributions for both squads. Jerry Williams (Watertown) had 9 catches for 201 yards and a touchdown for the Pointers, while teammates Nick Schroeder (Manitowoc Lincoln) and Jonte Webb (Marinette) contributed another 80 yards and 3 touchdowns. Running Back Elijah Fort (Waukesha West) and receiver Samuel Stahling (Plymouth) combined for nearly 200 total yards and 4 touchdowns for St. Norbert.

Tarek Yagii (Watertown) and Dylan Hecker (Winneconne) started right where they left off from their spectacular 2016 campaigns with big opening days in the WIAC. Hecker rushed for 186 yard and 3 touchdowns for UW-Oshkosh in their 23-17 win over John Carroll University. Hecker was also named the WIAC Offensive Athlete of the Week. Yaeggi, the UW-La Crosse quarterback, threw for 306 yards and 3 touchdowns in their 27-7 win over Luther College (Iowa). Nick Holcomb (Germantown) and Tripp Soma (Sun Praire) combined for 15 catches, 165 yards, and 2 touchdowns for the Eagles.

The Missouri Valley Conference has always had Wisconsin high school graduates contributing in big ways for conference teams, and this year is no different. FCS powerhouse North Dakota State saw many players help in its 72-7 win over Mississippi Valley State. Demaris Purifoy (Wauwatosa West) rushed for his first career touchdown while Victor Kizewski (Stevens Point) collected his first 6 catches of his collegiate career. Cole Karcz (Germantown) and Logan McCormick (Kimberly) each recorded their first career sacks.

In other MVC games, Illinois State safety Mitchell Brees (Greendale) had a 35 yard interception return for a touchdown in their 45-0 win over Butler. Also, Sepestiano Pupungatoa (River Falls) and Jacob Ohnesorge (Waunakee) helped lead South Dakota State to 301 rushing yards in its 51-13 win over Duquesne. Former Kimberly standout, Blair Mulholland, got his first carry of his career in the game as well.

James Nachtigal, a graduate of Fort Atkinson had a big performance off the bench for Army in their 64-6 win over Fordham. The junior linebacker recorded 8 tackles and was named the Army’s Special Team’s Player of the Week.

In Northern Sun Conference play, freshman defensive lineman Christ Garrett (Wisconsin Lutheran) recorded a sack, forced fumble, and fumble recovery in his first collegiate game as Concordia (St. Paul) defeated Minot State 24-0. St. Cloud State quarterback and former Germantown standout, Dwayne Lawhorn passed for 210 yards and a score in his first ever start. Joe Blando (Oak Creek) rushed for 163 yards and 2 scores as well to help St. Cloud State to a 41-26 win over Southwest Minnesota. Defensive back Carvel Graham (Kenosha Bradford) returned an interception 42 yards for a score as well.

Lastly, UW-Madison’s 59-10 thrashing of Utah State saw many firsts for in-state recruits. Tight end Zander Neuville (Waupaca) and running back Garret Groshek (Amherst) recorded their first catch and rush respectively while also notching their first touchdowns. Fullback Austin Ramesh (Northland Pines) rushed for his 4th. Groshek’s high school teammate Tyler Biadasz also got his first start at right tackle for the Badgers. The highlight of the game though saw 5th year senior safety, and former Madison Memorial star, Joe Ferguson take a 4th quarter interception 99 yards for a touchdown. Ferguson’s first career interception broke the 63-year old record held by Billy Lowe and now stands as UW-Madison’s longest interception return in school history.