Winona Winhawks warming up before a game at Paul Giel Field. Photo: TJ Leverentz
(KWMN)- Four straight state tournaments– A historic 4-year run etched in Winhawk football history. Yet, last year, the Winhawks were humbled after finishing just 4-6 and losing in the section semi-finals.
This year, a re-loaded and hungry Winhawk team will look to get back to their dominating ways and more importantly, get back to U.S. Bank Stadium.
Last season was filled with horrid luck for the Winhawks as they struggled to stay healthy and dealt with growing pains amongst a very young team. Not to mention the team had to deal with COVID protocols and complications, something head coach John Cassellius, who’s entering his 18th season at the helm of the program, was well aware of,
“COVID hurts you, it hurts everybody, you lose your tradition, you lose your weight room,” said Cassellius.
The importance of off-season work for a high school football team cannot be overstated. It’s where the team grows, literally in height oftentimes, but also in the weight room. Staying in shape, getting stronger, faster. All these things happen in the off-season. The Winhawks didn’t have that luxury last season. With the weight room not being easily accessible as it once was, and captain’s practices not happening due to COVID, It almost seemed like the Winhawks were destined for an off-year.
This year, however, is different.
Now being ‘back-to-normal’ if you will, Casselius can already see the difference between his team coming into the season versus how they came into last year’s season.
“I think the biggest thing that you see is some of the guys that, during COVID, weren’t able to lift or found excuses not to, there’s less of that. You can see the kids coming into camp bigger, faster, stronger, and ready to hit the ground running. Where you know when you started as late as [we] did, kids changed their mental focus and they weren’t prepared,” Cassellius said.
He praised the whole team but emphasized the work that his seniors put in over the summer, work that is already paying dividends. With one of the biggest weaknesses for the Winhawks being depth, it’s important for Cassellius to get his team reps in order to improve it. So far those reps have been plentiful, and the nine returning starters on offense and eight returning starters on defense have made that possible.
The biggest strength for the Winhawks is the aforementioned returning starters. With 17 total positions on both sides of the ball returning, this season won’t be like last. The team is no longer young and immature, but poised and ready. Cassellius wants to make sure those returners understand this team’s potential, regardless of last season,
“We got a ton of guys that played a ton, started and even started the last time we were at the bank…Them refocusing and understanding what our goal is and where we are at and really even how close we were last year,” He said.
Although the season was far from ideal, Cassellius liked what he saw, and especially liked the playtime he got from the young guys on the squad. That was something that made their 4-year state-run possible, allowing for Cassellius and the team to reload, rather than rebuild, “When we had that historic 4-year run, we were playing younger guys and we were able to reload,” Said Cassellius. This season won’t be a reload, but more so a coming-out party for the young players of last year. They’ve seen their peers grow through the ranks of Winhawk football to reach success, now it’s their turn.
The one large question mark heading into the season is who will be lining up under center. There is a 3-way open competition for the starting quarterback between Senior Mason Longowski, Junior Aidan Falls, and sophomore Deion Prolo. As important as the QB position is, whoever does win the job– will have a star-studded supporting cast.
Arguably the best supporting cast member comes in the form of Senior running back Dominic Davis. The explosive back earned All-District honors last season, eclipsing 830 yards on the ground and adding seven touchdowns. He had a whopping seven yards per carry and still managed to be a solid defensive back on the other side of the football.
Other top returners include All District linebacker Bryan Cassellius, who also captains the team. Cassellius had six tackles for loss last season and added two sacks, expect him to bump those numbers up. In front of Cassellius, on the defensive line, sits Senior Wesley Wollan, the man amongst boys who dominated opposing lines all of last season, racking up 14 tackles for loss and three sacks.
The list goes on in terms of returning playmakers for the Winhawks, most of which are seniors. All the work put in during the offseason and in training camp only means so much, but it’s the product that’s put on the field that matters. For John Cassellius and company, they’re determined to make this season much different than last, and more importantly, they believe that they can:
“We’re right where we need to be and now it’s just about taking that next step,” said Cassellius.
The Winhawks kickoff their season tomorrow, Sept. 1st, at 7:00 p.m. at Paul Giel Field. Coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m. on 101.5 FM, 1380 AM.
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!
