OUTLOOK

Player to watch: Turner Sagat (OL/LB), John Crowley (LB), Paul Gaber (OL) Date to circle: Aug. 19 vs. New Berlin West (cross-town rivalry) Strength: Defense returns five starters, including two all-conference linebackers Weakness: Only two starters return on offense; must learn new system We say: The young Lions have a lot of holes to fill, but hope to get back to contending status

New Berlin Eisenhower Lions

Experienced defense key to success; only two offensive starters return
New Berlin Eisenhower football coach Jeff Setz and his staff will have their hands full this season. The Lions finished 3-6 last season, 3-5 in the Woodland Conference Black Division, their first losing season since 2004. If the Lions hope to get back above the .500 mark, they might have to rely on their defense to carry them in the early going. We have the experience on defense, due to the fact that we have two all-conference linebackers returning, Setz said. Then add to that fact that we have three other starters returning, that should be the strength of this years team. Just saying the names Turner Sagat and John Crowley brings a smile to Setz face. Both players were first team all-conference selections last fall, Sagat as a defensive end/outside linebacker and Crowley as an inside linebacker. Now add the names senior Dillon Petre, a 6-foot-4 inch, 200-pound cornerback, junior lineman Anthony Stewart (5-11, 224) and senior defensive back Mitch Teipner (5-11, 187) to the group and you can see why Setz is excited about the defensive side of the ball. Setz also looks to get help from junior linebacker Steve Sakar (5-9, 172), junior linebacker Brennan OBrien, senior lineman Steve Tausz
By TOM SKY SKIBOSH tskibosh@cninow.com

A GLANCE BACK
Record
Overall: 3-6 Woodland Conference: 3-5, Black Division Outcome: missed playoffs

All-Conference returnees
First team: Turner Sagat (DE/OLB), John Crowley (ILB) Honorable mention: Paul Gaber (OL) First-team losses: Bennet Hasseldeck (RB), Steven Utz (OL) Coach: Jeff Setz

Photo by Pat A. Robinson

Eisenhower Lions senior wide receiver Dylan Petre is one of two returning starters on offense this season. He is also a returning starter at defensive back.

Aug. 19 Aug. 27 Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Oct. 7 Oct. 14

SCHEDULE

New Berlin West St. Thomas More Pewaukee Greendale Wauwatosa West Whitnall South Milwaukee Greenfield Brown Deer

home games in bold

August 18, 2011

Pewaukee St. Francis Cudahy Greendale Wauwatosa West Whitnall South Milwaukee Greenfield New Berlin West

LAST YEAR

L 25-15 W 13-12 W 28-6 L 48-13 W 40-23 L 22-17 L 13-3 L 41-14 L 42-7

(5-10, 195) and sophomore defensive back Vince Gabrielson (6-0, 160). The Lions have only two returning starters junior Paul Gaber (6-2, 225) and Petre at wide receiver back on offense and they are learning a new system. We have a new coordinator and were installing the winged T, Setz said. Well have some growing pains, plus we have to fill several positions. Mike Teipner, the former defensive coordinator, is the new offensive coordinator and Sean Crowley took over as the new defensive coordinator. Setz has moved the talented Crowley (6-0, 215) from running back to quarterback, which should work out well in the Winged T. We can get more out of John by moving him to quarterback, Setz said. He knows the keys to the offense. And he will be running the ball.

Senior fullback Derron Lehsten (6-0, 205), running backs Teipner, senior Nick Taylor (6-0, 180) and senior Jordan Mather (5-11, 163) will work in the backfield. Senior Steve Itsines (6-1, 215) will key the line from his guard spot. It is an offense based on deception and we all need to get on the same page, Setz said. The Lions will have six guys play two-ways to start the season. Eventually we would like to play two-platoon football, Setz said. We will get there. We lost a significant number of starters. We still have a lot of holes to fill, but time will tell. The kids are competing and we hope to get back to contending and get into the playoffs. Looking at his own division, Setz feels that Greendale, Greenfield and South Milwaukee will be the teams to beat.

SW

home games in bold

Coachs Corner We still have a lot of holes to fill, but time will tell. The kids are competing and we hope to get back to contending and get into the playoffs.
Eisenhower head coach

Jeff Setz

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