TAPPS Division III District 3 Preview:
St. Paul favored to repeat as champions
2015 High School Football Preview
by Chris Derrett, Advocate Sports
Friday, August 28, 2015
AdvoSports.com Article | St. Paul Cardinal Football | St. Paul Cardinal Sports
The Shiner St. Paul Cardinals aren’t afraid to discuss their ultimate regular season goal – a repeat as district champions.
"Some people have different philosophies on this. We don’t shy away from it. We want to be the best," St. Paul head coach Jake Wachsmuth said. "It’s a day-by-day process."
Last year’s TAPPS Division III, District 3 came down to Shiner St. Paul and Hallettsville Sacred Heart, and the same could happen in 2015.
"I think (the district) will be better than last year," Wachsmuth said. "I just always anticipate it will be more difficult the next year."
St. Paul took the 2014 district title after going 6-0 in district play, with Sacred Heart just behind them at 5-1. The Cardinals topped the Indians 41-13 in a matchup that eventually decided the league champion.
"I think our district will be the most competitive it’s been in a while," Sacred Heart head coach Pat Henke said. "Every team has a lot of starters returning."
St. Paul returns eight offensive and nine defensive starters after a 9-3 campaign in 2014.
The experience, Wachsmuth said, will be the strength of the Cardinals.
"I think we’ve got 10 seniors, and all are great players," Wachsmuth said. "All will be playing a significant amount of football."
Among St. Paul’s seniors is running back TJ Bell, who ran for 1,971 yards and 38 touchdowns on 180 carries last season.
Like St. Paul, Hallettsville returns nine defensive starters. Henke said the experience-laden defensive unit should anchor the team.
"I think our defense will have to carry us," Henke said. "Our front four remains intact where they were."
Cullen Wick and Jacob Janek bookend the defensive line with defensive tackles Landon Leopold and Marc Raphael in the middle. The secondary with William Pettus and Tyler Kraatz is back, while Caleb Krischke and Jordan Janak line up at safety. Luke Harper helps lead the linebacking corps.
"We had a few kids who started two ways (last year). This year they’ll start one way," Henke said. "We have a lot more depth this year than we’ve had in the past."
"Last year they would have 3rd-and-20 and score," Henke said. "We can’t do that."
On offense, Braden Popp is back and improved for another year at quarterback. Nolan Orsak leads the offensive line along with Harper at center.
2015 Shiner St. Paul Cardinals
Coach: Jake Wachsmuth
Years at current school: 7
Record at current school: 53-19
Years as head coach: 7
Last year’s record: 9-3, 6-0 district
Last playoff appearance: 2014, regional
Returning starters: QB Austin Barton, RB/DB Jed Janecek, RB/LB Derek Kapavik, RB/DB Ryan Geiger, RB/LB T.J. Bell, ATH/DB Marco Ynclan, WR/DB Nathan Pilat, TE/DL Colton Machart, OL/DL Dylan Mills, OL/DL Reagan Beal, LB Conor Kresta.2015 Hallettsville Sacred Heart Indians
Coach: Pat Henke
Years at current school: 36
Record at current school: 281-130-1
Years as head coach: 36
Last year’s record: 5-6, 5-1 district
Last playoff appearance: 2014, bi-district
Returning starters: C/LB Luke Harper, OT/DE Cullen Wick, TE Landon Leopold, TE/SS Caleb Krischke, QB Braden Popp, WR Drayton Henke, DE Jacob Janak, DT Marc Raphael, DT Nolan Orsak, CB Tyler Kraatz, CB William Pettus, FS Jordan Janak.
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