Ready to roll

Three games into his coaching career, Connor Herrling had one prevailing thought. “What have I gotten myself into?” Herrling, Wisconsin Heights’ football coach, watched his Vanguards drop their first three games last year by an average of 31.3 points per contest. Heights made a remarkable 180, though, winning four of its last five games to finish the year 4-4. “The biggest thing I learned is if you hang around the barber shop long enough you eventually will get a haircut,” the colorful Herrling said. “Your time will come, and ours did. We kept falling forward even in the hardest times. We never fell backwards, it was always forward.”  Now, with 17 seniors in the program and seven returning starters on each side of the ball, Heights has extremely high expectations for this 8-man season.  The Vanguards begin their new year Friday when they travel to Abundant Life/St. Ambrose for a 5 p.m. contest. Leading the way will be senior running back Cody Blicharz, who was named Player of the Year last season in the Ridge and Valley Conference. Blicharz ran for 1,600 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. Blicharz also returned four kicks for touchdowns. “If that doesn’t open your eyes I don’t know what should,” Herrling said. “Cody deserves more recognition than what he gets.” Senior wideout Reed Adler was a first-team all-conference player after catching 31 passes for 493 yards and four touchdowns. Junior kicker Greyden Schomber was a first-team all-league performer, while senior center John Reader and senior tight end/H-back Brayden Van Riper were both named second-team all-conference. Defensively, Reader was a first-team all-conference defensive end, while senior Damian Henning was a second-team all-conference selection at defensive end. Senior cornerback Ethan Myers, senior linebacker Fin Hindermann and sophomore safety Evan Cribbs were also named second-team all-conference. Junior quarterback Quinn Payne blossomed as last season went on. And sophomore lineman Chuck Reader could become a force on both sides of the ball. In addition, senior Mike Finscali is back from a shoulder injury and will start at left guard. “I see our defense and offense as a strength this year,” Herrling said. “The only thing I’m concerned with is how will the guys handle adversity. It comes at you in all different ways. Take it head on and handle it. And I truly think the guys will handle it just right. There’s something good in the air this year.” The conference is loaded and North Crawford is the favorite. Heights was picked for fourth place by Wissports.net, and the Vanguards will be motivated to show people they’ve been overlooked. “Our conference is a very strong conference this year,” Herrling said. “We came in ranked fourth and I know the team wasn’t too happy with that.  “I think some people will be shocked with what we do this year. The goal this year is getting a ball on the wall and winning conference. It’s been preached since the first day of practice. I have very high hopes for this team.”      WISCONSIN HEIGHTS      FOOTBALL ROSTER NAME Yr, No. Wt. Ht. Reed Adler SR 11 180 6’ 2” Cody Blicharz SR 6 190 6’1” Tyler Boehnen SR 2 165 6’0” Evann Cribbs SO 5 165 6’0” Hunter Erb JR 34 175 5’10” Michael Fancsali SR 10 200 6’2” Brock Fletcher SR 17 200 6’2” Damian Henning SR 1 230 6’2” Luke Herrling SR 64 212 5’10” Fin Hinderman SR 12 180 6’1” Clifton Kimball SO 7 170 6’0” Lukas Lemke SR 8 165 6’0” Jackson Marthe FR 31 180 6’2” Ethan Myers SR 21 165 6’0” Keevon Owen JR 32 165 5’11” Manyon Parman  SR 13 185 5’10” Quinn Payne JR 9 165 6’0” Samuel Polacek SR 62 280 6’3” Grant Ravenscroft JR 30 160 5’10” Charles Reader SO 24 200 6’0” John Reader SR 33 225 6’2” Parker Riccio JR 14 180 6’0” Zach Sander JR 3 180 6’2” Greyden Schomber SR 20 160 6’1” Jayden Starcer FR 27 175 6’2” Trey Theobald SR 26 170 6’3” Connor Valenta SR 23 200 6’0” Brayden VanRiper SR 4 160 6’4”