By Bud Milroy
Sports Correspondent
There’s a certain amount predictability with the Catholic Central High School football team.
With head coach Tom Aldrich entering his 22nd year at the helm of the Hilltoppers, he continues to stay away from labeling any upcoming season as a rebuilding, retooling, rebounding or reloading season.
For Aldrich and his staff, the reason is obvious: every team is different and all of them a work in progress.
The 2013 squad looks to be no different. There will be plenty of holes to fill from graduation, including quarterback Carson Meinholz, running back Grant Alderman, lineman Cal Kempken (headed to play this fall at Minnesota-Mankato), fellow lineman Jake Kaider, linebacker Kyle Kresken and defensive back Zach Mehring.
Aldrich and his staff have faced it all before, and will look again to mix returning talent with athletes who have been waiting for an opportunity and sprinkle in a few new faces.
The Hilltoppers return a pair of All-Metro Classic Conference wide receivers in senior Tegan Miles and junior Tyler Burzawa. The duo combined for more than 1,000 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns in 2012.
“Wide receiver is probably our deepest position this year,” said Aldrich. “We have a number of guys besides Tegan and Tyler who are capable of making a big play in the passing game.”
The line returns a pair of senior starters in Mike Pinnow and Joe Homan. Waiting in the wings are Alec Wegge, Nick Seib and Shan Gill, as well as sophomore Trevor Meinholz.
The Catholic Central running game will be handled by committee, with sophomore Cole Kresken, juniors Jeff Stemper and Zach Frederick and senior Adam Oehlers sharing the duties.
Transfer student Brett Gardner has won the battle to start at quarterback.
“Brett has good size (6-2, 215 pounds) and a strong arm,” Aldrich said. “He is athletic enough and with his size, he’ll be a threat to run when necessary.
“We’ll have to see how he manages the game.”
Junior Spencer Wilker will slide out to tight end and back up Gardner.
Defensively, Aldrich has a number of candidates to fill various spots. Kresken, Burzawa and Stemper return as linebackers, while Miles returns in the secondary. Nolan McCourt, Oehlers and Frederick will likely find spots in the starting lineup as well.
“We have a bunch of kids that have shown well in practice,” Aldrich said.
The Hilltoppers have a challenge right out of the gate, opening Friday at home against Kewaunee at 7 p.m.
“Kewaunee is a bigger school than we are,” Aldrich said. “They were in the 2010 state championship game and have been traditionally a strong program. They present a good challenge for us in the opener.”
The Metro Classic Conference will also be strong. Racine St. Catherine’s is favored again, with Kenosha St. Joseph running a close second.
“St. Cat’s and St. Joe’s will be very strong this year and are clear favorites,” Aldrich said. “St. Thomas More and Martin Luther will be solid. Shoreland Lutheran and Racine Lutheran will be improved, and as rivals, they always battle us hard.”
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