Sports News
2017 HS Football Previews : Laconia Spartans
The Laconia Spartans enter 2017 looking to build off a resurgent year in 2016. Laconia went 8-3 last season after a disappointing 3-6 campaign in 2015, reaching the playoffs and advancing to level two where they would fall to Lancaster. Laconia head coach Mark Madigan credits last year’s turnaround to their senior class. “Every great team starts with good leadership and the senior class last year was outstanding as leaders” Madigan said. “They really took ownership of their season and that’s what we’re looking for this year”.
The Spartans lose a number of seniors who made significant contributions to last year’s team, but still return a solid core of athletes that hope to pick up where last year’s team left off. Among the returners on offense is quarterback Cormac Madigan. Madigan earned second-team all-conference honors in the Flyway last year after throwing for 1,375 yards and 12 touchdowns, while running for another seven scores. Jaylen Mahone and Zach Foth return at wide receiver for the Spartans, but they must fill the shoes of departed seniors Jake Beattie, Carter Greve and Keegan Grade. Beattie was a unanimous first-team all conference selection last year at Running Back.
Coach Madigan also points to linemen Austin Ferch and Jacob Reigel as key returners for this year’s Spartan team in addition to Keegan Bruins, Keegan Leonard and Collin Weisnicht out of the backfield as players to watch. “We have some guys that can definitely fit the body type to be very successful, and that might make us a deeper team in the end.” Madigan said.
On defense, Madigan points to senior Jacob Isaac as one to watch up front. “He really came up big for us late in the season last year and he’s going to be an anchor for us on defense.”, he said of Isaac. Madigan points to players like Weisnicht, Foth and Ferch as two-way players who will highlight the defense at their respective positions. “We’re not able to platoon as much as we have in the past.” Madigan says, “We’re going to have to be resourceful with our locations and our movement of guys”.
The Spartans’ approach to this season? “We always want to take it 1-0. One week at a time, one game at a time. You can’t look too far ahead, especially early on.” Madigan says.
2017 Laconia Spartans Schedule:
8/18: At Wautoma – 7:00 pm
8/25: At Mauston – 7:00 pm (Game played at Wisconsin Dells HS)
9/1: At Omro – 7:00 pm
9/8: Lomira – 7:00 pm
9/15: At Mayville – 7:00 pm
9/22: Winnebago Lutheran – 7:00 pm
9/30: At St. Mary’s Springs – 1:00 pm
10/6: Nekoosa – 7:00 pm (Replacement game for cancellation of game vs. North Fond du Lac)
10/13: Howards Grove – 7:00 pm
Listen to the KFIZ High School Football Preview show Friday, August 11th at 6:00 pm. You can hear the full interview with Spartans’ head coach Mark Madigan along with other coaches from around the area. The show is brought to you by AirTech Heating in Fond du Lac.
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