Expectations remain high at Notre Dame
GREEN BAY – Notre Dame Academy is a more experienced football team than it was a year ago at this time.
That starts at the top, where Mike Rader has a better outlook in his second season as head coach.
“Last year was an awesome experience,” said Rader, whose team went 10-3 in his first year to advance to the WIAA Division 3 state semifinals. “I learned an awful lot. I made a lot of mistakes. I don’t tell anybody that, but I did. I hope to minimize my own mistakes to get the kids ready and in a better spot. It’s extremely enjoyable, but it’s a lot of work.”
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The Tritons have had the privilege to work deep into November in recent years.
Notre Dame’s postseason success, which includes D3 state championship game appearances in 2015 and 2016, has led to the team playing 41 games in a span of three years. That’s 14 more games than a nonplayoff team would have over that same course of time.
Those extra games also mean extra practices, which can be invaluable to the growth of young players.
“We focus on fundamentals and the benefit of muscle memory,” Rader said. “You’re getting kids to not think about the actual technique that you’re worried about, so you do rep after rep after rep. It’s extremely important. We do it throughout the season, especially with tackling. The best teams are generally the best tackling teams, so we really, really emphasize that.”
Among the 14 returning varsity letter winners, the Tritons bring back one of the best tacklers in the area in Josh Cribben, who was named Fox River Classic Conference defensive lineman of the year as a junior after recording 66 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
Senior linebacker Mitch Chosa (68 tackles, seven TFL) is another first team all-conference choice that is back for a defense that ranked second in the FRCC by allowing only 13.9 points per game.
Offensively, Wes Glime completed 176 of 279 passes for 2,466 yards and 22 touchdowns with 11 interceptions as a junior. Glime finished second in the FRCC for passing yards and was tabbed as a second team all-conference choice.
“They know what’s expected of them,” Rader said. “Those guys are obviously going to be the focus of the team. They were really good competitors last year and had a really good, strong offseason. We’re going to look to them to be significant contributors.
Cribben (tight end) and Chosa (fullback) also saw extensive time on offense. The other returning players on that side of the ball are senior lineman Ryan French, senior receiver Tommy Martzahl, senior receiver Cade Van Hout and junior lineman Joel Meglic.
French was a two-way lineman last year, playing at defensive tackle as well. Seniors Hunter Soletski (defensive tackle) and Matthew Re (cornerback) are also returning starters.
“We bring back more than we did last year, which is great to have and makes my job as a coach easier, but there are still a lot of work and a lot of holes that we have to fill in.”
The production of Michael Gregoire (1,529 yards of offense and 21 touchdowns), Jack Allen (800 receiving yards, six touchdowns, 78 tackles, six interceptions), Grant Shilbauer (85 tackles) and Andrew Gruesen (8-for-12 field goals and 39-for-41 extra points) will be tough to replace.
Still, Notre Dame looks to have the potential to put together another deep postseason run and contend for the FRCC title with two-time defending champion Bay Port.
“I spent a lot of time in the offseason talking with my coaches about what do we want to do differently,” Rader said. “How do we want to sway a game here or there more in our direction than we did last year. That’s the fun stuff. It’s putting kids in a position with a lot of prep work, and a lot of practice, so that when it’s their turn they can go and execute on a Friday night that they have that opportunity and that they succeed.”
Green Bay Notre Dame at a glance
Coach: Mike Rader, 2nd season, 10-3
Last year: 10-3
All-conference players to replace:
Jack Allen, WR/DB, 2nd team/1st team
Andrew Gruesen, K, 1st team
Isaac Sidon, DL, 2nd team
Mike Gregoire, RB, HM
Matthew Rader, TE, HM
Max Pallini, ILB, HM
Grant Shilbauer, OLB, HM
All conference players returning:
Josh Cribben, sr., DL, 1st team
Mitch Chosa, sr., LB, 1st team
Wes Glime, sr., QB, 2nd team
Joel Meglic, jr., OL, HM
2018 Schedule
Aug. 17 Sheboygan South
Aug. 23 at Ashwaubenon
Aug. 30 at Sheboygan North
Sept. 7 Pulaski
Sept. 14 Manitowoc
Sept. 21 at Bay Port
Sept. 28 Green Bay Preble
Oct. 5 at Green Bay Southwest
Oct. 12 De Pere
Alums playing college football:
Jack Drake, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Mike Gregoire, University of Wisconsin
Andrew Gruesen, US Air Force Academy (August tryout)
Nate Ihlenfeldt, St. Norbert College
John Leonhard, St. Norbert College
Blake Olejniczak, St. Norbert College
Robert Petitjean, University of St. Thomas
Max Pallini, University of St. Thomas
Vinny Pallini, University of St. Thomas
Jonathan Santaga, University of Minnesota
Isaac Sidon, St. Norbert College