Single Wing still runs strong in Pulaski
What’s old is new again in Pulaski.
Although the most popular trend across the football landscape is the spread offense, the Red Raiders have separated themselves from the pack by utilizing a formation that was created when the telegraph was still a popular means of communication.
Pulaski is looking to continue to prove the Single Wing offense is still an effective means to make long-distance trips to the end zone this season.
“There is nothing magical about it,” Pulaski coach Jerad Marsh said. “We go unbalanced a lot and teams don’t always see that.”
Nobody will be overlooking the Red Raiders this season.
Not after they rushed for 3,965 yards and 48 touchdowns last year in advancing to the WIAA Division 2 state quarterfinals for the first time since 2009. It was an impressive feat for a program that had only a single win in 2015.
“We’re just focused on building off of that with all of our younger guys and working them up,” said Pulaski junior Dylan Hendricks, who rushed for a team-high 1,216 yards and 13 TDs last year.
Senior Dustin Graf also returns to the backfield after rushing for 751 yards.
Joe Franks, an all-Fox River Classic Conference performer at running back and defensive end, will be a key graduation loss along with Kevin Ruechel, who received all-state recognition as an offensive lineman.
The line should remain strong, though, with the likes of senior Mason Rasmussen and junior Liam Fahey returning.
Pulaski’s style of play can unquestionably take a toll on opposing teams.
You need to look no further than its overtime victory over De Pere or it’s come-from-behind win over Holmen in the second round of the playoffs. The Red Raiders rallied from 20- and 14-point deficits, respectively, in those wins.
They did so without hardly using this thing called the forward pass.
The Single Wing can be punishing with a three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust result on long drives. It can also produce quick strikes when the opposing defenses get caught up in the smoke and mirrors of all the misdirection.
For example, Michael Kane rushed for 258 yards on nine carries last year against Holmen. All his runs came on the same counter play.
As tough as it can be to defend in the actual game, Pulaski’s Single Wing can tend to wear down opposing teams long before the first whistle ever blows simply because their foes have to exert more time and energy to prepare for the unfamiliar look in practices.
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