WIAA playoffs: Edgar’s defense leading path for repeat; to face Lourdes Academy in level 3

WAUSAU – Edgar’s defense has been at the forefront of their grip on Division 7 football over the past two seasons.

In that span, 15 of the Wildcat’s 25 wins were on the back of a shutout, including a stretch last season where Edgar pitched nine in a row en route to another Division 7 state championship under coach Jerry Sinz. The Wildcat’s level 2 win last week over Shiocton earned the program their sixth shutout this season.

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While Edgar’s front seven deserves credit for snuffing out the run, Sinz said it took a collective effort and hyperfocus on the details.

“I think a lot of it just has to do with us doing our job. We stress that all the time. You know, don’t try to be a hero,” Sinz said. “We know that if you’re the left outside linebacker, and you’re running into a sweep right, you’re probably not gonna be on that play.”

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The Wildcats lost a vital member of their team due to injury in the second game of the season: outside linebacker and running back Jase Apfelbeck, who was injured in a 20-8 loss to Division 5 Stratford.

The injury forced much change early in the season, though the Wildcats have since found their footing. However, some hiccups within the Wildcats’ special teams have been in the back of Sinz’s mind since early in the season.

He feels the team must continue to sharpen their edge.

“We haven’t made a whole lot of changes since then, but we’ve continued to improve; several guys have stepped up,” Sinz said. “We’re constantly working on our kicking game, too. Our kicking game has been erratic and not the best. We’re doing okay on PATs. We’ve made probably 14 out of our last 15, but our kickoff distance…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/wiaa-playoffs-edgars-defense-leading-100700860.html

Author : Wausau Daily Herald

Publish date : 2024-11-06 10:07:00

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