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Championship Catch-Up: Division 1 champion Muskego

04/13/2020, 10:15am CDT
By Travis Wilson

Muskego claimed a second straight Division 1 title last year

In "Championship Catch-up" we will take a look at all eight state champions from the 2019 season, with a look back at last year and forward to next season. All eight teams will be featured over the next week.

2019 Season Recap: As the defending state champions with a strong returning roster, Muskego entered 2019 as a favorite in Division 1 once again. Against another brutal schedule, the Warriors would get challenged several times along the way, including a tough 14-10 opening win over Marquette, but the defense proved to be one of the very best in the state, allowing just over a touchdown per game. The Wing-T offense was held in check a bit more than 2018, but still averaged more than 35 points per game. Finishing unbeaten in the regular season, the Warriors had no problems with Milwaukee Pulaski before a couple challenging games against Mukwonago and Franklin. A state semi-final rout over Madison Memorial setup a championship showdown with Bay Port. Helped by a huge fumble return touchdown by Bryan Gruehn, Jr. in the third quarter, Muskego was able to hold on for a 21-10 win and a second straight state title.


Following is a Q&A session with WSN General Manager Travis Wilson and Muskego coach Kenneth Krause.

WSN: What were your expectations or goals heading into the 2019 season?

Krause: To be 1-0 each and every week.  

WSN: Was there a turning point in your season, or moment where you felt your team had a chance to be special?

Krause: When we came from behind to beat Marquette in Week 1. Our defense only gave up 10 points and our offense had a fantastic 4th quarter.

WSN: What player(s) showed significant improvement over the course of the year that helped make the difference for you?

Krause:
Ethan Jauquet - OT – Just got better and better as year went on offense for us. Ran the ball behind him a ton and he came through big time
Bryan Gruehn Jr,- MLB - Became a better and better leader for us as the season went on and had huge fumble recovery for a touchdown in the state championship game.

WSN: Do you do an end of season meeting with each individual or the team where you outline where you'd like to see them improve? 

Krause: Yes, we had an end of season meeting with our team and set goals for this next off-season. The players voted to take only one week off and started our off-season program.

WSN: Have your athletes been involved in off-season workouts? If so, how has participation been so far?

Krause: Best off-season we have ever had. We had the best winter maxes in all our strength, speed, and vertical testing as a team. Many school records broken.  

WSN: What are your plans for using your contact days in the summer?

Krause: We have a practice and install our base offense and defense. The next day we do a 7-on-7 tournament. Two weeks later we go to a local college and have a 3-day camp where we stay overnight and focus on building unity and installing the rest of our offense, defense and special teams

WSN: How many letterwinners do you have coming back for next year?

Krause:
Six starters back on defense
Hunter Wohler – WFCA State Defensive Player of the Year – one of the top recruits in Country – starting safety
Anthony  Tomczak,– starting LB, one of our top tacklers from last year, HM all-conference
Brian Radish – 2nd Team  All-Conference DT
Jared Beilfuss – 1st Team All-Conference DT
Mason Buehler – HM all-conference DB – two picks in state championship game

Four starters back on Offense
Alex Current – Gatorade State Player of the Year on Offense – RB
Josh Bulski – FB – 1st team all-conference 
Kyle Mason – 2nd team all- conference guard – two year starter
Special teams:  Long snapper, punt returner and  kick returners all back

WSN: Who do you anticipate stepping into leadership roles during the off-season and into the 2020 campaign?

Krause:
Dylan Krause – starting QB – led JV past two years to 18-0 record
Joey Lawrence – NT – one of the strongest players in the state

WSN: What do you foresee as being the strengths of your team next season? What would be areas of concern at this time?

Defense will be fast with six total starters back including three starters back on the defensive line and the best safety in state. We have good skill players on offense led by All-State running back Alex Current and an all-conference running back coming back in Josh Bulski.

Area of concern – play in best conference in state

WSN: Who will be some of the other top teams in your conference?

Waukesha West, Mukwonago, Arrowhead


Did You Know?

Muskego finished season with a 28-game winning streak which is the 11th longest in the nation and finished ranked 23rd in the nation by USA Today. All three levels went undefeated last year (Freshman, JV and Varsity).

About the Author

Travis Wilson serves as the WisSports.net General Manager, Football Editor, and contributing writer for other parts of the site. Wilson was selected as part of the Sports 40 Under 40 list by Coach & AD Magazine and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association for 2019. The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) named Travis the 2015 recipient of the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award. He currently serves on the WFCA Executive Board and is a member of the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. A graduate of Richland Center High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Travis was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball, basketball), inducted to the Richland Center High School Hall of Fame in 2023, and currently resides in Reedsburg. You can follow him on Twitter at @travisWSN.

For the latest and most up to date football news and recruiting information, follow Travis on Twitter @travisWSN. Email story ideas, recruiting info, etc. to Travis at travis(at)wissports.net.

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