By Jennifer Eisenbart
Sports Editor
There is little doubt that Adam Bakken has made the Waterford Union High School football program into one of the best in southeast Wisconsin.
After all, a pair of Southern Lakes Conference titles and a state Division II runner-up finish in 2011 is pretty good proof.
But after a first-round loss to Waukesha West – the No. 2-seeded Wolverines losing 14-12 in an upset – in 2012, Bakken knows his team is looking to wipe away the memory of that misstep.
“The kids that are seniors now were juniors then,” said Bakken, in his third year with Waterford and posting a 19-4 record over his previous two seasons. “It’s probably harder for the kids that graduated.
“But losing a close game like that, I know it still bothers me.”
The Wolverines return 16 seniors and 12 juniors from last season’s 7-2 SLC championship team, and while the team has lost some size – specifically college-bound linemen Brandon Miller and Brandon Schindler – Bakken likes this team.
“We’re not as physically gifted as we were the last two years, as far as size goes,” Bakken said. (But) I think we’re more athletic. We’re faster.”
What also strikes Bakken about this year’s team is its attitude, as he put it, being able to play with “more of a chip on their shoulder.”
“They’ll get after each other a little bit more,” the coach explained. “Hopefully we can use that enthusiasm and excitement to our advantage.”
The Wolverines will be led on offense by junior quarterback Dylan Milecki.
“He’s got a tremendous arm,” Bakken said. “He played really well at your scrimmage. We’ve got to be able to throw the ball downfield.”
Waterford also returns Justin Steffens at wide receiver, while Jacob Bauer and Tom Benko will be among the running backs looking for playing time.
The only returning starter on the offensive line is four-year starter Alek Henderson, but Bakken said he is happy with the players who will fill those roles under new offensive coordinator Jacob Ruff.
The team returns a handful of standouts on the defensive side of the ball as well. Steffens will move to free safety this year, while Max Fischer and Yanni Skapinakis are back at the linebacker roles.
Henderson will also play on the defensive line, while Cason Sloan, Tom Benko and Ryan Ratkovec saw time last year.
The Wolverines will line up against a difficult SLC lineup that includes Badger – a team that reached Level 4 of the playoffs in Division 1 last year – as well as Wilmot and Burlington.
“The team’s going to be very good,” Bakken said of his squad. “There isn’t a team on our schedule I’m looking at and thinking we can’t beat.
“But there’s also a lot of teams on the schedule, if we don’t play well, we won’t beat,” added Bakken, saying the potential is there for his team to go in either direction.
“It’s my job,” said Bakken. “I need to get things organized and get the kids in the right spots.”
The Wolverines open their season tonight at Pewaukee at 7 p.m. Pewaukee was 8-0 during the regular season last year, and reached a Level 2 playoff game in Division 3 before losing to Catholic Memorial – the eventual state champion.
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