There’s something magical about the start of a high school football season. Whether it’s played under the Friday Night Lights like many area schools will do this weekend or whether those lights shine on Thursday night, instead, it’s one of the most special evenings of a gridiron season.
At least for 60 minutes all teams in the area will remain undefeated and all will have the hope of a winning season on the gridiron that only the first night of play brings.
Eau Claire North and Menomonie will get to experience that thrill Thursday night when they start their 2024 high school football campaigns at Carson Park. Kickoff for this long-time rivalry is set for 7 p.m.
And while the Huskies have now joined the Wisconsin Valley Conference after decades in the Big Rivers Conference (BRC),, that in no way diminishes the history that exists between these two teams nor the importance of this game.
“We are super excited to be able to finally play a game. It is a long lead up to the first game so finally getting there is exciting,” North head football coach Matt McGinnis told the Leader-Telegram in previewing the game.
“I think with the first game you are just trying to go in and execute. As a team you are still trying to figure out who you are and in some cases still having position battles so this is when you really start to figure out who you have and where you need to go from Week 1,” McGinnis continued.
That’s a sentiment Menomonie head football coach Mike Sinz shares with McGinnis.
“The excitement of high school football is unlike anything else. You practice all week for one game under the lights. Carson Park should be electric on Thursday night for this old school BRC rivalry game. Our kids are very excited to kick off the 2024 season,” Sinz said, adding, though, that a season kickoff can also be a little nerve wracking for him, as well.
“The first game always makes a coach a little nervous because you want to make sure you have covered every situation in practice that could possibly come up in a game. A lot of teams lose the first game instead of winning it (turnovers, penalties, etc.),” Sinz said.
The Menomonie leader added that it doesn’t matter whether or not these two schools are in the same conference anymore as the history between the two teams will make for an electric and competitive game no matter what.
“The game with North will be exciting no matter if they are in the BRC or not. Our kids have played against them in all sports for years,” Sinz said.
Of special note: This season, the Leader-Telegram is instituting a Game of the Week, in which two area teams will share the spotlight and be featured and focused on in depth prior to kickoff and we will also feature an extensive game content of those teams’ weekend games. As the gridiron year progresses, as many area schools as possible will be in the spotlight that North and Menomonie are in this week.
In discussing this week’s Leader-Telegram Game of the Week matchup, both McGinnis and Sinz shared perspectives on what they will be focusing on for the matchup.
Embarking on his third year as head coach of the Huskies, McGinnis shared with the Leader-Telegram in North’s preview to the season story that he feels several key returners — as well as some newcomers — are poised to step up for his team this season.
Notable returners with some stats from the 2023 campaign include quarterback Peyton McCracken (677 yards and nine touchdowns); wide receiver Aaron Solberg (13 receptions, 192 yards and two touchdowns); Zach Shipman (163 yards passing, 225 yards rushing and three touchdowns); defensive lineman Noah Penigar (46 tackles, four tackles for a loss); and safety Ty Schauf (41 tackles last season).
Newcomers McGinnis feels are primed to make an impact this season include running black Lavonte Bean, running back/linebacker Michael Frison, linebacker Deven Andrew and offensive linebacker Aiden Pankratz.
In his response in the Leader-Telegram’s annual high school football preview, Sinz noted that the Mustangs are returning five offensive and five defensive starters. The Menomonie head coach feels his team also has a number of new players who could impact the squad, as well.
“Our players had an outstanding off-season,” Sinz told the Leader-Telegram. The head coach added that “We have a number of juniors who we are looking at to make an impact at the varsity level and possibly a few sophomores, too.”
Back to the task at hand.
As for how the Huskies have been preparing for their first crucial test of the season, McGinnis noted that there is one huge component of their game they have been working on, especially in the last week.
“The biggest thing we have been working on is our overall physicality. We weren’t super happy with how physical we played at our scrimmage and we know Menomonie is going to bring that aspect of the game. That is something we have to be ready to do,” McGinnis told the Leader-Telegram Wednesday morning.
The North head coach added this about the Mustangs: “They are going to have a really good quarterback that can spin it around the field paired with some really nice athletes on the outside that play both sides of the ball for them. They are always going to have size and like I mentioned before they are going to be physical.”
For his part, Sinz says he has a specific focus that he has had his team concentrating on in practice this week.
“Our focus is completely on us this week. After watching our scrimmage film, we have a lot to work on,” Sinz said, adding that “North is huge up front. They will give a lot of teams issues with their size this year. They bring back two quarterbacks who got a lot of experience last year. They are both dynamic players. North will be pumped up starting the season at home.”
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