Football Season Starts off on a High Note
Senior linebacker John Kontowicz. Photo by Kylie Bridenhagen.

Football Season Starts off on a High Note

The university’s football team is playing at a competitive level and as a result won the first four games of the season.

The team headed into the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Football Conference with an undefeated record. After playing UW-Platteville on Oct. 8 the team’s record is 4-1.

Aaron Vlcko, assistant head coach, feels that playing non-conference teams has been the best way to prepare players for WIAC’s competitive teams. The last time the team won the conference was in 2008.

Assistant head coach Aaron Vlcko congratulates Pointer football players after a touchdown at the 2016 Pink Game. Photo by Kylie Bridenhagen.

Assistant head coach Aaron Vlcko congratulates Pointer football players after a touchdown at the 2016 Pink Game. Photo by Kylie Bridenhagen.

Vlcko said that the biggest difference between non-conference games and conference games is the level of play and speed of the game.

“The level of competition within the conference is very strong. We feel like whoever the weakest team in the conference ends up to be, is still a really good football team,” Vlcko said.

The team’s quarterback Kyle Larson recently suffered from an injury, causing another player to step up for the team. Vlcko admitted that injuries provide a good opportunity for other team members and is thankful that most of the team has remained healthy.

Vlcko has been impressed by this season’s seniors, who have helped prepare the team and take the program to a new level. He believes that student support has also played a big part in the team’s success.

“We felt very strongly about the crowd support we had in our first home game. It really makes a huge difference,” Vlcko said.

John Kontowicz, senior middle linebacker, believes that this team is the best one he has played on in the past four years. He feels that it is important not to take any of the conference games for granted.

“I think this is our best opportunity to win a conference championship. The team cohesion is just really high we all trust each other and work well together,” Kontowicz said.

Kontowicz cites UW-Platteville, UW-Oshkosh and UW-Whitewater as three of the powerhouse teams this season.

Junior wide receiver Jerry Williams. Photo by Kylie Bridenhagen.

Junior wide receiver Jerry Williams. Photo by Kylie Bridenhagen.

Jerry Williams, junior wide receiver, is especially looking forward to playing UW-Whitewater. For Williams, winning conference would be a dream come true.

“I haven’t felt this feeling since my freshman year here and it feels good, it feels like you’re on top of the world. You have to take it one game at a time. It would be cool to remain undefeated, but we just really want to win conference,” Williams said.

Caroline Chalk

Reporter

cchal845@uwsp.edu

 

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