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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.

Previous Articles
Division 1 Champion Muskego
Division 6 Champion Saint Mary's Springs
8-Player Champion Luck

2019 Season Recap: After a number of close calls, including a runner-up finish in 2017 and a pair of state semi-final appearances, Lake Country Lutheran was ready to make a run at an elusive gold ball in 2019. Looking to challenge themselves, the Lightning lined up a very tough non-conference slate. After opening with a win over Saint Mary's Springs the Lightning were shocked at home by Darlington in a one-score game before topping Lakeside Lutheran. Lake Country Lutheran would cruise to another Midwest Classic Conference title. They faced a tough test against Lomira in Level 2 of the playoffs before coming out on top 13-6 before getting past Racine St. Catherine's and Prairie du Chien. That set the stage for one of the most dominating teams in state history in the Division 5 title game, the Stratford Tigers. Stratford entered the 2019 WIAA Division 5 state championship game with a 649-7 scoring edge in 13 previous games, allowing its first touchdown the previous week in a win over Amherst. Stratford went up 13-0 in the first quarter and seemed on its way to another dominating win, before Lake Country got back on track and scored a second quarter touchdown to pull within 13-7 at halftime. Neither team was able to get much going in the third quarter, but Lake Country Lutheran scored on back-to-back possessions and held off Stratford for a 22-13 victory.

Following is a Q&A session with WSN General Manager Travis Wilson and Lake Country Lutheran coach Greg Brazgel.

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

Brazgel: Same as every year. Win State! We set the year’s theme “Moving Forward” because we felt we had a team that could really move our program forward. We have had talented teams before, but the brotherhood that was already forming in 2019 made this team special.

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

Brazgel: I always believe that to win state you need the right players, the right playoff path, and the right passion. When we saw that St. Cate’s was in our bracket we got excited for the challenge. Maybe too excited. The week before, in Level 2 we faced Lomira in a mud puddle. They outsized us by an average of 50 pounds at each position. It was a struggle offensively and defensively. When our team showed the passion to stay in that game and eventually pull out a 12-6 victory in overtime, it propelled us to a whole new level. We went out and destroyed St. Cate’s and Prairie du Chien and eventually used that passion to come back from down 13 in the Title Game vs Stratford. We were never concerned about size after Lomira.

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

Brazgel: Obviously, as seen in the second half of the Stratford game, Sophomore Luke Haertle grew up as a quarterback. We lost our 4-year starter at running back and safety, Zander Mueller, during Week 9, and our excellent sophomore running back and outside linebacker, Sam Heicher during the playoffs. We actually stumbled into the title game without a lot of depth or physical energy left. Our title game was all heart. Zech Hans really stepped up on offense and defense. Zech, often known as a great basketball player, rose to a new level as a football player during the playoffs. He had 4 interceptions in the playoffs and three amazing catches in the Title Game. Noah Vanderberg, Pete Vande Zande, and Eddie Farrell really elevated their game in the playoffs to make our defensive line impenetrable. Jack Leverenz was a workhorse as our only running back and our middle linebacker. Also, my son, Will Brazgel, really elevated his game at Corner to eliminate teams’ passing games.

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? 

Brazgel: Never have. They are made aware of this all season long. They know what it takes to be a champion in the offseason.

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

Brazgel: Only 12 players in my whole program have a winter offseason. The others either play basketball or wrestle. The 12 have consistently been in the weight room.

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

Brazgel: We enter two 7-on-7 tournaments. We really do not meet over the summer. Most play summer baseball and basketball so we wait for the fall for football. Keeps them fresh.

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

Brazgel: 17 returning lettermen. We are not worried about how many seniors we lost. Our program is sound. We are actually excited to bring up our entire JV team. They have been working together for two years and are prepared to make the jump to Varsity. They know each other well and will mix well with Luke Haertle, Eddie Farrell, Sam Heicher, and Chase Caliendo, our only returning starters.

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

Brazgel: Tim Frerking, Luke Haertle, Chase Caliendo, Eddie Farrell, and Sam Heicher

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

Brazgel: Our strength is confidence and athleticism. We are not all that varsity experienced, but these players are poised to make a huge impact early when we face D6 Champ St. Mary Springs in Week 1.

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

Brazgel: I’m not real sure about this new conference but I’d imagine St. Cate’s and Martin Luther will remain good.

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.