For the past

two years the Big Rivers Conference (BRC) has been dominated by the Chippewa

Falls Cardinals. Last year, the Cardinals finished with a perfect regular

season record and the title of BRC champion.

This year,

due to the loss of graduating seniors, the BRC title is up for grabs once again.

The main contenders in addition to the Cardinals are Hudson and Superior.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  All three schools have been hurt by

all-conference seniors graduating, but Chippewa Falls and Hudson have taken the

biggest hit. The Cards and the Raiders have lost all but one of their

all-conference athletes to graduation while Superior has two returning stars.

That said, this a better chance than ever for Superior

and Hudson to challenge for the BRC title.

Superior

lost five all-conference players to graduation this season, three on the

offensive line alone in Al DeMeyer, Jordan Cummings,

and Kyle Walkowiak. The other two were starting

quarterback Joe Reichert and starting running back Chris Blake. Both Reichert

and Blake are now playing at the University of Duluth-Minnesota (UMD).

The Spartans

are looking to new quarterback Kellen McCoshen, who just came off of a shoulder

surgery, and running back Zach Colvin, who recently committed to North Dakota

State, to lead their offense this year. Superior's running game is the only

thing that hasn't taken a big hit on offense. The return of Colvin, A.J.

Soland, and Dan Quade all point to a solid ground play this season. Another notable

runner Superior picked up is a transfer from Northwoods, Chad Murray, who will

be playing fullback this season.

A couple impressive

looking junior linemen, Cody Kitch and Mark Murray, will help fill the void on

the offensive line this season. Both got repetitions on the varsity squad last

year. They won't be as good as last year's starters, because of inexperience.

class=GramE>But by next year, watch for their names on the all-conference list.

Along with all-conference defensive lineman Nikko Bogojevic

and senior Scott Collins, this will make for a pretty good offensive line to

replace last years.

Defense is

where Superior will shine this season with both first team all-conference defensemen,

linebacker Ethan Taylor and defensive lineman Nikko Bogojevic, returning for

their senior year. Along with Bogojevic, returning

defensive lineman Scott Collins will lead the Spartans' defense. Last season,

Superior allowed their opponent less than 16 points in 6 out of their 9 regular

season games, including one shut out.

10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> Bob Demeyer

Offense:

Scott Collins (OL) Kellen McCoshen (QB)

Defense:

Zach Colvin (DL) Nikko Bogojevic (DL)

This just

may be the year that Chippewa Falls ends their BRC championship run because of their

lack of experience.  Last year, Chi

Hi had eight athletes that went all-conference, unfortunately all seniors. This

season is most likely going to be a rebuilding year for Head Coach Chuck

Raykovich's Cardinals.

Last season,

Chi Hi's opponent averaged only 13 points a game. With the loss of

all-conference linebacker Kyle Michels, and two

all-conference defensive linemen, James Rowley and Adam Street, to graduation, it

is asking a lot for this year's defense to mirror last season's starters.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Jake Sullivan, returning first team

all-conference linebacker, will lead the defense this year. Watch for some big

hits from Sullivan this season.

Unfortunately,

Chippewa Falls also lost all of their offensive all-conference players as well,

including offensive player of the year and first team all-conference

quarterback Mitch Olson.  Raykovich

is looking to quarterbacks Shawn Peterson and Tyson Kalien to battle over the

starting position this season.  As

for the loss of first team all-conference running back Mike Adams, Raykovich is

expecting running back Jared Jaquish to step up big

time to fill the void.

10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> Chuck Raykovich

Offense:

Shawn Peterson (QB)Tyson Kalien

(QB) Jared Jaquish (RB)

Defense:

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Jake Sullivan (LB)

With only

four starters returning this season, Hudson has some serious ground to make up

if they want to contend for a BRC title.

With the

return of fullback Andy Edholm in the backfield, they

look to have a promising running game. There is a quarterback position still up

for grabs this season with all-conference quarterback

Chase Graskewicz graduating last year. Beau

class=SpellE>Hommes and Davey Branson are currently competing for the

starting job.

The

offensive line is the big story for Hudson this year after losing two key

all-conference linemen, Ryan Hanes and Cole Tobin to graduation. The Raiders do

return all-conference offensive lineman Sam Cunningham for his final year in

blue and white.

Hudson's

defense should be okay this season. They have returning defensive linemen Chas

Larson and Ethan Dinaeur to lead the defense, but are

without any experienced linebackers.

If you

factor in the inexperience they need to deal with on both sides of the ball and

the fact that there are only four returning starters this season, the Raiders

have their hands full if they want any chance at earning the BRC title.

10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> Adam Kowles

Offense:

Andy Edholm (RB) Sam Cunningham (OL)

Defense:

Chas Larson (DL)

Menomonie will

be looking for their nineteenth consecutive playoff berth this year. With

returning first team all-conference wide receiver Levi Kraft, they have a

shot. 

The Indians

recently had scrimmages against Stevens Point, Hudson, and Ellsworth. Head

Coach Joe LaBuda had said he didn't know where to

gage his team's play, it wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible.

Menomonie

lost four all-conference athletes to graduation this season, including defensive

lineman Kyle Ahrens. To fill these voids, defensive backs Jon Koehler and

Travis Welch have stepped up to lead the defense and the entire team.

Due to the 36

seniors lost to graduation, LaBuda's football

class=GramE>team has very little experience this year and lack their

usual size. If you add that they have the toughest non-conference schedule in

the BRC it seems unlikely that they will be able to pull off a championship

this season. 

10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> Joe LaBuda

Offense:

Levi Kraft (WR)

Defense: Jon

Koehler (DB) Travis Welch (DB)

The Warriors

come into this year returning two all-conference linebackers in Max

class=SpellE>Loew and Trevor Kiehl. The

offense is where Rice Lake has concerns. 

They lost all-conference running back Tanner Cernick

to graduation. Taking his place will be two seniors this year, Nick Peterson

and Trevor Mickelson. Both got repetitions on the varsity squad last year.

Defense is a

strong point for the Warriors this year. 

With both Loew and Kiehl

back for their final season with the Warriors, it should make for some exciting

play.

10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> Dan Hill

Offense:

Nick Peterson (RB)

Defense: Max

Loew (LB) Trevor Keihl (LB)

Like Eau

Claire North, the Old Abes have been bringing up the

rear in the BRC for the past couple years. 

With the loss of two all-conference offensive linemen Eric Hutchinson

and Joseph Detrick, the coaching staff is looking to

returning quarterback Zac Mestelle

to lead the bunch back from a 0-9 season last year.

The defense

is the only thing that is keeping the Old Abes in the

BRC conversation. Eau Claire Memorial is set at defensive line and linebacker

this year. All have had varsity experience and may just be Eau Claire Memorials

ticket back to a contending season. Linebacker Jason Detrick

will lead the Old Abes, hopefully to .500

class=GramE>season or better.

10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> Pat McGinnis

Offense:

class=SpellE>Zac Mestelle (QB)

Defense:

style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Jason Detrick

(LB) Robert Stansey (DL)

With the

loss of offensive player of the year and first team all-conference running back

Levi Johnson along with five other all-conference graduates the Wildcats appear

to be tamed. With only one returning all-conference player, linebacker Ben

class=SpellE>Wunrow, River Falls offense has

taken a big hit.

After

graduating their star running back, two first team all-conference offensive

linemen, and two all-conference receivers, it will be difficult for them to

produce the numbers they did last year.

Wunrow

style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> leads the defense

this season and will need to fill the hole that all-conference defensive

lineman Luke Johnson left.  If they

can do that, their defense will be okay this season.

Unfortunately,

injury has plagued the Wildcats already this season. with

injuries to starting quarterback Marty Herum and

starting wide receiver Eddie Gallenberg.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Mark Bennet

and Lucas Weiss are currently battling for the title of starting quarterback

for this season.

10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> John Bennent

Offense:

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> 

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Zach Pavlichek

(TE)

Defense: Ben

Wunrow (LB)

With only

two players making last year's all-conference sheet, both graduated, the

Huskies need to rebound from an awful last season. Starting quarterback Brett

class=SpellE>Bodenburg needs to step up and lead the offense this

year.  Bodenburg

recorded twelve touchdowns last season, but his offense still averaged only 11

points per game.  Head Coach Dean

class=SpellE>Rosemeyer says they're missing depth in positions this

year, especially running back. Because of that fact, look for Eau Claire

class=GramE>North to pass more this season.

The Huskies

are lacking size this year on defense, especially on the line.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Look for the linebackers and the

secondary to make the noise, if any, on defense for the Huskies this season.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> 

Head Coach:

Dean Rosemeyer

Offense:

Brett Bodenberg (QB)

Defense:

Gregory Button (LB)

September

25: Eau Claire Memorial @ Eau Claire North

October 2:

Rice Lake @ Menomonie

October 8:

Chippewa Falls @ Superior

October 22:

Hudson @ Eau Claire Memorial

Superior 8-1

(6-1)

Chippewa

Falls 7-2 (6-1)

Hudson 7-2

(6-1)

Menomonie

5-4 (4-3)

Rice Lake

5-4 (3-4)

Eau Claire

Memorial 3-6 (1-6)

River

class=GramE>Falls 2-7 (1-6)

Eau Claire

North 0-9 (0-7)

Superior is

my favorite for this year.  They

will have a deep running game with Soland, Colvin,

and Quade. They have a couple veteran linemen, who

will most likely start on both sides of the ball, in Nikko Bogojevic

and Scott Collins. They have great size in the trenches on both sides of the

ball with the addition of Cody Kitch, Mark Murray,

and Shaun Mattson. Though inexperienced, all had repetitions on varsity last

season. They have returning all-conference linebacker Ethan Taylor, who will

rack up a bunch of tackles this season.

Their best

chance at being defeated this year will come when they play Hudson in their

first conference game of the season. The Raiders have a good running game and

some experienced defensive players this year. Although, they have some new

linebackers, they are a hard hitting team. With the Cardinals coming off an

always tough matchup with D. C. Everest the week prior, Superior will be too

gassed to keep up with Raiders.  The

one loss, however, should not stand in the way of a conference title.

Offense:

Levi Kraft (WR) Menomonie

Defense:

Jake Sullivan (LB) Chippewa Falls

It was hard

not to pick Kraft as Offensive Player of the Year the simple fact that he is

athletically ahead of all other players in his conference.

style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  He was chosen as the first team

all-conference tight end last year for the BRC. He also led the conference with

19.6 yards per catch all as a junior.

Jake

Sullivan caused so much havoc on defense last year that he earned himself a

spot as a first team all-conference linebacker in the BRC as a junior. He has

offers from three top football programs, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Notre Dame,

but has yet to commit to any school.