The high school football season officially kicks off Thursday night and in the Brookfield-Wauwatosa area that means Wauwatosa East does the honors, hosting Milwaukee Riverside.
As usual, the Red Raiders have to stay healthy to be effective as coach Tom Swittel has some outstanding skill players to rely on. Quarterback Ethan Harris and wide receiver Barret Powell, one of the best athletes in the area, should make an exciting combination this year. And Tyler Love and Mike Cupertino give Harris someone to hand off to.
The other three local high schools get into action Friday night, with Wauwatosa West hosting Cudahy as new head coach Matt Good makes his debut, playing a Woodland Conference game in the redone Woodland football conference. With Shorewood/Messmer dropping out, there is no longer a North and South Division, just once combined conference.
Which means teams won't play a balanced schedule. For example for the next two seasons, the Trojans won't play Brown Deer or Whitnall. Sounds like the Big 10, doesn't it. West's Good summed up the situation the best when he said "It is what it is."
The other new coach in town is Sal Logue, who moves from Brookfield Central to crosstown rival East. Logue, who is a teacher at both schools, will try and rebuilt the Spartans, who were 9-2 four years ago. Logue makes his debut at Waukesha South on Friday. Skylar Holden will start at QB for East (can't go wrong with a name like Sky) and Joey Woppert, the master of intensity, will get a whole lot of touches at running back this season.
Brookfield Central, one of the top contenders in the Greater Metro Conference, opens with Waterford at Central Friday night. Hall of Fame coach Doug Lange has lost all 11 starters on offense last year, but only one on defense. So Central will look for the defense to take control as the offense, behind quarterback Jack Korslin and a solid running back committee, gets its feet wet.
Are you ready for some football? I am.
Be a hit and have a ball.
