Bradford is our pick as the state's top team, but Waunakee has a 36-game win streak and Lincoln is loaded on the lines.
Bradford High has Graham Bullmore (62) leading the way, and that's partly why we are choosing the Kenosha team as Wisconsin's top squad.
Photo by Allen Fredrickson
2011 finish: 14-0
Head coach: Jim Camerota
Team previewThe Red Devils completed a 14-0 season in 2011 with a 7-0 win over Lincoln (Wisconsin Rapids) in the Division I championship game, adding their name to the list of
Wisconsin state football champions for the past 10 years. Although coach Jim Camerota loses a number of seniors from last year's squad, including Wisconsin-bound running back Vonte Jackson who missed most of last season due to injury, his team is still the favorite in Division I. Bradford has won at least nine games in each of the past six seasons and at least 11 in the last three.
Henry Cabrera is the top returning player in the backfield. One of four players to gain at least 600 yards last season after the loss of Jackson in the first game of the season, Cabrera rushed for 741 yards and 12 touchdowns and was also an All-Conference kicker. The Red Devils also have one of the state's best linemen in
Graham Bullmore (6-foot-5, 240 pounds). Camerota, who has coached for 21 years at Bradford, moves into the head coaching role after the resignation of Jed Kennedy. Camerota previously held head coaching duties at the school from 1998-2001 and was the defensive coordinator under Kennedy.
2. Waunakee
2011 finish: 14-0
Head coach: Pat Rice
Team previewThe Warriors have the sixth-longest winning streak in the nation at 36 in a row, including a 45-0 win over Waterford in the state title game. Waunakee has won three straight Division II state championships, has won a league championship 13 of the past 14 years and is 54-1 in Badger Conference play since 2003. Coach Pat Rice will have to replace Leo Musso, who rushed for 2,382 yards and 39 touchdowns last year, but he will have a talented offensive line to pave the way. All-State lineman
Jacob Ohnseorge (6-3, 225) returns along with All-League selections
Dean Helt (6-5, 210) and
Austin Ahern (6-2, 220). No other running back gained more than 135 yards last season, but
Jacob Liebe and
Tyler Reynolds combined for nine touchdowns last year. Rice will have to find a new quarterback as well, but he does return All-Conference tight end
Michael Meffert.
Dalton Kind, an All-Conference linebacker, leads the defense. Waunakee leads the June, 2011 list of
Wisconsin's Top 10 football dynasties and the recent list of
Wisconsin's Top 10 most consistent programs.
3. Lincoln (Wisconsin Rapids)
2011 finish: 12-2
Head coach: Tony Biolo
Team previewIf there is a team that has a shot of knocking Bradford out of the No. 1 spot in Division I, it is probably Lincoln. The Red Raiders lost just 7-0 to Bradford in the Division I championship game and they return an outstanding group of offensive linemen and a solid secondary. Although All-American linebacker Vince Biegel is off to Wisconsin, his brother
Hayden Biegel, a 6-6, 240-pound offensive tackle, returns. Ranked as the top offensive lineman in the state, Biegel is also headed to Wisconsin next year. He's joined on the line by All-Conference picks
Kraig Arndt (G, 6-3, 235) and
Alex Klonowski (T, 5-11, 235). All-Conference selections
Regis Henke (LB, 6-1, 190),
Zach Baussuener (CB, 6-0, 175) and
Tyler Tesch (S, 6-1, 175) head an experienced defense. Biegel is one of the
Wisconsin Class of 2012 Division 1 signees.
4. Verona
2011 finish: 12-1
Head coach: Dave Richardson
Team previewA 31-21 loss to Bradford in the Division I playoffs kept Verona from achieving a perfect season. The Wildcats won 12 games for the third time since 2007 and won their third-straight league championship. Now they return one of the state's top running backs in
Dom Wise, who rushed for 1,154 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior. Wise will have a huge offensive line blocking for him, including All-Conference pick
Andrew Terwillinger (6-5, 280). Verona has one of the league's top returning linebackers in
Bilal Louzati (6-0, 200) as well as one of the state's best kickers in
Derek Witte. Search for Verona players on the
2011 Wisconsin All-Conference Football Teams list.
5. Brookfield Central
2011 finish: 9-3
Head coach: Jamie Meulemans
Team previewThe Lancers fell to Bradford 27-0 in the second round of the Division I playoffs, but a strong group of returning players, including a pair of Division I commits, have Brookfield Central in contention for a state title. Iowa State recruit
Jacob Homa (6-5, 265) returns on the offensive line for coach Jamie Meulemans while Wisconsin commit
Chikwe Obasih (6-3, 230) is back at defensive end. Both rank No. 2 in the state at their position.
Demario Harris returns at running back after gaining 1,113 yards with 17 touchdowns as a junior. He has a solid offensive line in front of him in All-Conference picks
Austin Cebula and
Luke Rasmussen. Joining Obasih on the defense are All-Conference picks
Steven Ambrookian (LB),
Billy Schim (DB),
Chris Dubois (DB) and
Terri Wallen (DB).
