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Championship Catch-Up: Division 7 champion Reedsville

06/16/2022, 11:45am CDT
By Travis Wilson

In "Championship Catch-up" we will take a look at all eight state champions from the 2021 season, with a look back at last year and forward to next season. All eight teams will be featured over the next two weeks.

2021 Season Recap: Reedsville put together a magical season in 2021, earning a share of the Big East Conference title before advancing to its first state title game, capturing the Division 7 crown with a 17-0 shutout of Coleman. A dynamic offense led by explosive quarterback Brennen Dvorachek, who finished with more than 1100 passing yards and 1600 rushing yards to go with 43 total touchdowns, was the catalyst for much of the domination, but the defense was top-notch as well. The group joined the legendary 1946 one-division boys basketball state champs in school lore.


Following is a Q&A session with WSN General Manager Travis Wilson and previous Reedsville coach Aaron Fredrick as well as new head coach Samuel Shafer.

WSN: What were your expectations or goals heading into the 2021 season?

Aaron Fredrick: Our goals were pretty straight forward -- we wanted to win conference again. Just get to Madison for the first time.

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

Aaron Fredrick: Yes, after our first loss, the guys were pretty much rolling through the schedule and we played Cedar Grove-Belgium. We had a few injuries early and the kids didn’t respond until the fourth quarter. The looks in their eyes after really gave me the feeling that could be our only loss.

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

Aaron Fredrick: So many of our kids improved if I had to pick, I would go with our junior center Jade Busse. He worked so hard in the offseason and we had a two-way player go down for the season in the scrimmage, so Jade had to play both sides of the ball for a large part of the season and did amazing. His snaps were also night and day compared to the year before.

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?

Aaron Fredrick: We don’t I make a point to talk to the player if there is something that really stands out but overall the message is compete in as many sports as you can, stay competitive and get stronger in the offseason. 

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

Samuel Shafer: I am currently running a morning session of a Speed and Strength Program for all athletes in the district. We have had a good number of Football Players in attendance. We are also involved in a 7v7 passing league with a few surrounding teams to keep some players on the field throughout the summer. 

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

Samuel Shafer: We will hold a five-day Mini-Camp in July to get our players ready to go for August. We will be doing slight install as well as competition drills and tackling basics so they are efficient by the time the season rolls around.

WSN: Who do you anticipate stepping into leadership roles during the off-season and into the 2022 campaign?

Samuel Shafer: We have two upcoming Seniors: Ryan Taddy and Dain Totten. They have shown great leadership so far this off season and I believe they are ready and able to lead this team to another successful season. Am excited for a small group of our Juniors to also be put into a higher role this year and keep the consistency for years to come.

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

Samuel Shafer: I know our players will be more than ready to compete and show our toughness this year. We have a number of athletes who can do special things on the football field. Strengths of this season will be us returning the core of our defense at the linebacker and defensive end positions. I wouldn’t say this is a concern but we will be moving some parts around on offense with positions and it will be new for some of our key guys. But we trust them and they return and I know this will perform as expected to put together a great year.

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

Samuel Shafer: All teams in this conference are competitive in their own way. I am looking forward to the Cedar Grove-Belgium and Howards Grove matchups. CGB has its history of great passing and fast defense and will be a great challenge for us. 


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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