Dodgeland High School - Reflections Yearbook (Juneau, WI)

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ALL CONFERENCE: Keith Mountain 2nd team OF Guard; Dan Gahlman, 2nd team LB; Scott Neuberger, 1st team Center; Bob Engels, 1st team RB. All Area; Brad Burnett. 1st team DE; Dave Compton, 2nd team LB; Missing, Mike Schmidt, Hon. Mention 'r Bob Engels set a new school record for rushing yards in a single season-1,226. Bob Engels This year’s varsity football team may have been my most rewarding group of young men for several rea- sons: 1. The team immediately pre- ceeding them accomplished goals that no other team at Dodgeland High School -had ever accomplished before. That was a hard act to follow. 2. Many people had very low ex- pectations of this year’s team. I was told repeatedly that we would be lucky to win one or two games. I might add that after losing our first three games I started to have serious doubts about our success ratio myself. 3. This was by far the most inex- perienced team that I have ever fielded. While all of this was going on, I was seeing something that was very thrilling to observe. A group of “no name” young men were gelling to- gether as a determined and cohesive “team.” It was highly rewarding to see our seniors feel and demonstrate attributes of cooperation, leadership, hard work, enthusiasm, and PRIDE not only in their school or their team, but in themselves. At the same time I was also watching a group of juniors mature and become quality football players, both physically and mental- ly. In addition to this, I saw several sophomores come through when the chips were really down. That to me is quality performance at its best. This year’s team did not win as 16 many games as some other teams that I have coached; but in my eyes and in the eyes of the people in- volved in our program they showed qualities that are the backbone of high school athletics — together- ness, cooperation, hard work, and competitiveness. This was a team that could have given up and been content to be a loser, but they didn’t; they showed pride and determina- tion to do a job and to do that job well. This to me is one of the best lessons in life that any student can have the opportunity to experience. Coaching football at Dodgeland High School for the past 11 years has been a very enjoyable and re- warding experience for me. But as times change, so do coaches. My memories of the individuals and teams that I have coached will always be pleasant memories for me. The cooperation that I have re- ceived from parents, faculty mem- bers, former administrators, assistant coaches, and the athletes is responsi- ble for the successful program that we have had during my tenure as head coach. To all of you and to all of the people in our district who con- structively contributed to our foot- ball program — THANK YOU. I have always had one personal goal for my players and that is that their participation in our football pro- gram, no matter what the magnitude or direction, will somehow improve their lives and make them more pro- ductive American citizens. To this end I feel satisfied. Most of you have heard me express my team goals an- nually for the past 11 years. I might add that they have never changed in that period of time. I will repeat them one last time because I believe that strongly in them: 1. Hit With Intensity 2. Be Competitive 3. HAVE FUN I think most people have wit- nessed these goals to be very preva- lent in the games that they have had the opportunity and privilege to at- tend. 1 wish next year’s coaching staff continued success, and I am confi- dent that they will experience the same cooperation and support from the citizens of Dodgeland that I have enjoyed over the last 11 years. I am sure without a shadow of a doubt that next year’s team, and future Dodgeland football teams, will meet the challenge and carry on the strong TROJAN football tradition.