Sequoits look to hold their own on the gridiron

By Todd Rohde~Correspondent

Over the years, the Antioch football program has been known to take control and attain success out on the gridiron. And if everything falls into place and goes as planned, the Sequoits should once again be a team to keep your eye on again this year.

“I love this team and don’t count us out, but I think that we will be looked as the dark horse this year,” stated head coach Brian Glashagel.

“Everyone wants to hand the division over to Lakes or Grant and deservingly so, as they both are returning a ton of talented starters from a season ago.”

The Sequoits have some good numbers to work with this season, as they have 65 athletes including numerous returning letterwinners and starters on the varsity squad.

Overall, there are 24 seniors, 40 juniors, 37 sophomores and 40 freshmen out for the program. Taking on the leadership roles this year are senior team captains including Cody Gwinn, Jack Johnson, Tim Wennstrom, Austin Klotter and Jacob Craft.

The Sequoits have plenty of momentum and confidence on their sides to build on this year after going 6-1 within conference play and 8-2 overall, despite bowing out in the first round of the playoffs.

“We are optimistic as we have some very talented returning starters back, as well as the addition of numerous juniors who won the division at 8-1 last year at the JV level,” Glashagel said.

Like most teams, the Sequoits will have some big shoes to fill after losing several key players to graduation. Amongst those all moving on to play collegiate ball were Austin Vogel-OL (UW-Whitewater), George Gonzalez-DB (UW-Stout), Zack Freundt-LB (Illinois Wesleyan), Sam Emanuelson-DE- (Illinois Wesleyan), Josh Anttila-QB/WR (U of Dubuque), Joe Lombardo-DL (Aurora U.), Danny Arden-RB (Carroll U.), Lee Shannon-OL/DL (Carroll U.), and Brandan Dampf-OL (North Central).

The Sequoits are looking to contend within the division amongst the favorites of Lakes and Grant. Their goals are to play consistently all season and to advance in the post-season tournament.

“Our strengths this year will definitely be our great senior leadership, having quality depth at almost every position, overall team speed as well as our talented junior class,” Glashagel said. “Our one so-called weakness would have to be the youth’s inexperience at the varsity level.”

The Sequoits should be very strong blocking upfront on the offensive line with the likes of Justin Seyter, Jacob Craft and Nate Zeien. The only two-way starter for Antioch will be Cody Gwinn, who will serve as a tight end and running back on offense and linebacker on defense.

Jack Johnson, a highly recruited player by many colleges, will be playing either defensive end or linebacker this year. Rounding out the top spots for the Sequoits will be Austin Klotter at running back, Cameron Slate at defensive back and Zach Keller at linebacker.

Antioch has been busy during the summer getting ready for the season. They began in June with nine practices that including some seven on seven competitions, followed by a three-week camp in July as well as their regular strength and conditioning during the summer.

Glashagel will be beginning his sixth season at the helm, as the Sequoits head coach. Helping him out as assistants will be Del Pechauer (Offensive Linemen/Assistant Head Coach), Grant Murray (Outside LBs/Varsity Defensive Coordinator), Rico Ellis (Tight Ends/Soph Assistant), Ryan Shifley (Runningbacks/Soph Assistant), Karl Richter (Wide Receivers), Mike Gordy (Inside LBs/Head Soph Coach), Pat Swanson (Defensive Tackles/Soph Assistant), Michael Karner (Defensive Ends), Chris VanAlstine (Corners), Reggie Hughes (Safeties).

The Sequoits will begin the regular season today, Saturday, Aug. 25, by traveling to take on Lake Forest Acad


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