By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
PULASKI – Bay Port head coach Gary Westerman perhaps sums up best what it’s like to play against the Pulaski football team’s single-wing offense.
“Playing against Pulaski is like going to the dentist … you don’t like it very much,” the veteran Pirates coach said.
Using an array of ball fakes, misdirection and sound execution in their single-wing offense, don’t expect to see anything different from the Red Raiders this fall.
“The basics of how we play won’t change,” Pulaski head coach Jerad Marsh said. “There are always new things to work through with different talent groups. Offensively, we have different running backs and different linemen. Defensively, we have different players, too. We’ll start with the same foundation we’ve always done, but we’ll work off that based on our personnel.”
Marsh said it was a quick turnaround with the alternate fall season completed in May, but his guys have embraced the challenge.
“The excitement and energy level is high,” he said. “I’m sure all the teams feel that way, though. We had great summer workouts.”
Marsh said he didn’t approach the alternate season, in which his team finished 5-2, any differently.
“That’s a great question,” he said. “We tried to make (the season) as normal as possible while still being cognizant of the seniors who were making their last run. The season was about them and making sure we gave them quality time in these uncertain times (of COVID-19).”
Pulaski has four solid offensive starters returning.
“We probably have seven guys returning (on offense) who started at least two games,” Marsh said.
Defensively, the Red Raiders return seven starters.
“That’s a good number,” Marsh said. “Despite our offensive prowess, we always lean on our defense. Offensively, we aim to put our defense into great positions – whether that is by grinding the clock or stretching a lead. We finish with our defense – that’s our mantra.”
Among others, Pulaski lost seniors Nash Lemerond, Ben Redlin, JoJo O’Leary and Max Steinbrecher, who combined to rush for 1,044 yards on the ground.
Redlin led the team with 639 yards rushing and seven touchdowns.
Lemerond threw for 422 yards and six touchdowns.
“We have Aaron Maroszek returning in the backfield,” Marsh said. “He’s a hard worker who we’ll lean on this year. Brock Steinbrecher and Maverick Cole will also be used heavily.”
The Red Raiders posted a 42-20 victory over Bay Port in the second-to-last week of the alternate season, the first victory over their arch-nemesis since the 2011 campaign.
“The guys don’t talk about that game at all,” Marsh said. “We took pride in getting a win we hadn’t gotten in a while, but this is a different year with different guys.”
Marsh said Bay Port will reload and be hungry to erase its rough season three months ago.
“They have studs all over the place,” Marsh said of the Pirates. “They have more scholarship kids on their roster than we have kids on the honor roll. (Westerman) is blessed with the talent he has, but he’s also done a great job.”
Pulaski opens the season with three consecutive road games.
Pulaski 2021 regular season schedule
8/20 – @ Notre Dame Academy (38-14 W)
8/27 – @ Brookfield Central (30-25 W)
9/3 – @ Green Bay Preble
9/10 – Green Bay Southwest
9/17 – @ Ashwaubenon
9/24 – Bay Port
10/1 – @ West De Pere
10/8 – De Pere
10/14 – Manitowoc Lincoln
• All games begin at 7 p.m.
To read the preview for Ashwaubenon, CLICK HERE.
To read the preview for Bay Port, CLICK HERE.
To read the preview for De Pere, CLICK HERE.
To read the preview for Green Bay East, CLICK HERE.
To read the preview for Green Bay Preble, CLICK HERE.
To read the preview for Green Bay N.E.W. Lutheran/Oneida Nation, CLICK HERE.
To read the preview for Green Bay West, CLICK HERE.
To read the preview for Seymour, CLICK HERE.
To read the preview for Green Bay Southwest, CLICK HERE.
To read the preview for West De Pere, CLICK HERE.