REEDSVILLE — The Reedsville Panthers football team won their first state championship last season, taking down Coleman 17-0 in the Division 7 title game. This year however, their team is going through a lot of changes and they also have to prepare for the giant target that is now on their back,
“We always got a target on our back, every team wants to beat the reigning state champs,” said senior running back and linebacker Dain Totten. “A lot of people, teams, think we’re just losing everyone, we ain’t going to be nothing, we’re going to be a one and done deal. I think we got to prove to them that we’re not.”
After last season, Aaron Frederick stepped down as head coach. In comes Sam Shafer, who was an assistant for the high school team and was in control of the middle school program last season. Shafer played college ball at U-W Stevens Point.
“The head coach was a big step early in my career, but I'm ready for the challenge and I know the guys around me, including the players and coaches are all for me being the leader of this team,” Shafer said. “We’re just going to kind of bounce off each other. I'm here to learn from them and I'll give what I got to them and everything and more.”
Shafer is in his mid-20’s, and the players say that helps them connect with their head coach even more because he is more relatable.
“It's good having a young guy come in, he’s kind of our age, we mess around with him a lot, it’s fun and it’s just having someone to carry the success for the future,” said senior quarterback Ryan Taddy.
In a small town losing a lot of seniors from last season might have a significant impact on the program, but with their success they’ve seen more kids come out.
“We’re going to need a couple guys to kind of step up this year and I know they can do it,” Shafer said. “I worked with a few of them last year in the middle school program. I ran the summer weights this year and there were more freshmen here than have ever been in the last few years, so i’ve heard. They’re working their tails off and I think they’re ready to take on this challenge and we have a great senior class of leaders.”
As for how the team can be successful once again, Shafer wants his group to have as much fun as possible and continue to build off the camaraderie the team had last season.
“Making sure everybody is giving 110% every single day, showing up on time. just the little things, keeping each other accountable. that’s what i grew up on, that’s what they’ve been preached and i’m going to keep it that way,” Shafer said.
The Panther first game is Friday, August 19 at home against Mishicot.
