NCHS Football Already Gearing Up for 2011

By Adam Rutz

Newman Catholic football made school history last fall when they advanced to Level 3 in the playoffs before losing to Randolph. Though they will lose 13 players from last year’s squad, their high-powered offense will be back, as Senior Brad Knoblock plans on leading the Cardinals to more success. “We have a lot of guys who have been working hard in the weight room since the day after we lost to Randolph last year and I think we can do big things,” said Knoblock, who had 1100+ rushing yards last season and 13 touchdowns as a running back.  He will be moving to quarterback for his final season as a Newman Catholic Cardinal.

​A lot of playing similarities are drawn between Knoblock and former Cardinal Anthony Fisher (class of 2009). Fisher, who won the Brockmeyer Award in 2008 (top football player in Wausau), switched positions to quarterback his senior year and also led the Cardinals to their first ever playoff appearance that year. Knoblock has all the tools to be a very successful quarterback next season because with his strong arm and speed on the ground, he will be a force to be reckoned with when the Marawood Conference season rolls around.

Knoblock, the 5'10, 180 pound senior, may not be the ideal size for a quarterback, but he definitely makes up for it in athletic ability. The four sport athlete has been a standout since his arrival at Newman Catholic in 2008.

Knoblock isn't the only offensive weapon the Cardinals plan on using. They will also have seniors John Runnoe and Issak Tauer who will both be key runners in the backfield, along with underclassmen talent in receivers with juniors Nick Janke and Matt Heeg, and sophomore star power in Marcus Gabriel.

With a Paul Michlig led coaching staff, there is no reason the Cardinals shouldn't live up to the hype as they have become a city-wide powerhouse in the past three years. All of the fans of NCHS football can agree that Michlig has been the key to all the success as he led them to the playoffs in his previous three seasons. Michlig is known for his spread offense and utilizes it perfectly; the results are obvious considering all the success it has brought. Stay tuned to the NCHS Red Hat for more news on the Cardinals next fall!