Marshfield looks to win with balanced offense
MARSHFIELD - Marshfield's football team hopes to match the balanced offense it had in 2015 despite the departure of two senior leaders.
Behind the passing of Tyson Slade and the running of Nick Hoheisel, the Tigers owned one of the most dynamic offenses in the Valley Football Association Southern Division. Although the duo graduated this past spring, Marshfield coach Dennis Goettl won't be changing his team's style of play.
"I don't ever change the offense," said Goettl, in his seventh season as the Tigers' head coach. "I'm a passing coach and I hope that the running game can complement it. We have a good group of players on offense and I'm confident in what they can do."
The Tigers do return a pair of VFA Honorable Mention players in offensive lineman Brandon Bell and defensive lineman Jon Wittman. Marshfield also returns versatile running back Braden Bohman, who excels on the ground and in the passing game.
When looking to players who can fill the holes left by Slade, Hoheisel and a number of other playmakers, the Tigers will look to the likes of running backs Brant Bohman and Andy Goettl as well as receiver Nathan McGrath and tight end Christian Welch.
"We know we have the kids who want to fill in the holes and play some of those skill positions," said Goettl. "We're hoping that a number of them can step in. Whoever wants the job most is going to earn it."
The Tigers had a number of tight games in the 2015 season. Six were decided by a touchdown or less; Marshfield lost three of those games.
"Last year, we lost a number of players to injuries and that really hurt us in some of those closer games," Goettl said. "In the games we lost, we battled hard and just came up short. We hope we can turn that all around this season and fend off the injuries in the process."
If Marshfield can find a way to replace its talent lost and come out on top in more tightly-contested games this season, improvement can be expected.
"We are hoping to improve this season and I definitely think we can," Goettl said. "We don't have a ton of depth but we have weapons we can turn to to win a few more games."
Morgan Rode can be reached at 715-345-2258, or by email at mrode@gannett.com. Find him on Twitter as@mrodeSPJ.
MARSHFIELD
Coach: Dennis Goettl, 7th season
2015 record: 5-5, 3-5 in Valley Football Association-South
How far they got: Failed to reach playoffs
Key returnees: Brandon Bell, sr., OL; John Roherty, sr., OL; Braden Bohman, sr., RB; Connor Peterson, sr., LB; Sam Bauman, sr., OL; Jon Wittman DL; Neil Voros, sr., DL.
Key newcomers: Quinton Alexander, jr., LB; Andy Goettl, jr., RB/WR; Brant Bohman, jr., RB/WR; Jared Jonsrud, jr., QB; Nathan McGrath, sr., WR; Paul Maguire, sr., DB; Christian Welch, jr., TE; AJ Leonardt, jr., OL; Skylar Theisen, jr., DB.
2016 SCHEDULE
Aug. 19 vs Wausau East
Aug. 26 at D.C Everest
Sept. 2 at Neenah
Sept. 9 vs Oshkosh West
Sept. 16 at Wisconsin Rapids
Sept. 23 at Hortonville
Sept. 30 vs Stevens Point
Oct. 7 vs Oshkosh North
Oct. 14 at Fond du Lac
All games played at 7 p.m. unless noted
2015 RESULTS
Marshfield 19, Wausau East 14
Marshfield 24, D.C. Everest 17
Neenah 27, Marshfield 24
Marshfield 35, Oshkosh West 14
Wisconsin Rapids 42, Marshfield 35
Hortonville 14, Marshfield 10
Stevens Point 48, Marshfield 21
Oshkosh North 42, Marshfield 21
Marshfield 22, Fond du Lac 21
Marshfield 51, Shawano 36