FOOTBALL

Senior spotlight: Ean Rau a reason Abbotsford football is win away from state

Tim Johnson
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

ABBOTSFORD - Ean Rau has been part of two conference championship football teams and has celebrated seven postseason wins over the past three years. 

There is one thing the Abbotsford senior quarterback/ linebacker has left to experience in his prep football career — a trip to Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. 

Rau and his teammates will have the opportunity Friday as the Falcons face Bangor in a WIAA Division 7 state semifinal in Chippewa Falls. 

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Rau is a reason the Falcons are within a win of the program's first state appearance for the second straight year. Abbotsford fell to Regis in a Division 6 state semifinal last November. 

Abbotsford quarterback Ean Rau has rushed for more than 1,500 yards this seasonn for the Falcons, who face Bangor Friday.

Rau is the Falcons' leading rusher with 1,520 yards and 17 touchdowns and also has a team-high 112 total tackles. 

His impact doesn't end there.

Abbotsford coach Jake Knapmiller said Rau is relatively laid back but has been a vocal leader for the Falcons.

"We were worried about him stepping up vocally at quarterback, because you need to," Knapmiller said. "But he stepped it up and took ownership in games and also in practice. He has assumed that role.

"He has embraced that role even though it is not really his personality."

Rau recently sat down with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin to talk about his athletic highlights and low moments, the reason he backed out of sporting a mullet this week and where he would like to travel to someday, among other topics. 

Do you have a certain nickname your teammates/friends or family members call you?

My whole family calls me "Baby Eaves" because I'm the baby of the family and the youngest of a large amount of cousins. 

What has been your top sports memory?

The last game we played (a state quarterfinal last Friday at Clear Lake) was definitely fun, just playing in a blizzard. Last year in Level 4 (against Regis) was a great game, but winning the (CloverWood) conference championship my sophomore year against Athens was unbelievable. It was the first time in 58 years (for Abbotsford), and I got to do it with my brother, so that was really special to me. 

What has your been your embarrassing moment?

Sophomore year. We were playing Assumption and they had a fullback, Brady Baltus, and he just crushed me three times in that game — pancaked me, put me flat on my back. Everyone (on the Abby team) saw it on film, but it was a learning moment. That kid was just a stud.

Are there certain teammates you will especially miss after this season?

The whole senior class. We have been playing together since we were in second grade. But even with the younger guys, I have built a strong relationship with them 

Talk about what this senior group has accomplished over the past few years.

I remember sitting at lunch during middle school and saying, 'It would be so cool if we won a conference championship or got to state and got to play at Camp Randall.' Now we have the opportunity to do that. It just has really been a group of hard-working guys and we really bought into Coach Knapmiller's style and he has done a great job with the program. 

Do you have any pregame superstitions?

Adam Seefluth and I were going to get mullets before (Friday's) game but we decided we were doing so good that we couldn't mess anything up. I am pretty superstitious. I wear the same socks for every game.

Who is your celebrity crush?

Emma Watson. I'm kind of a Harry Potter fan.

If you could go anywhere, what would be your dream vacation?

I would love to visit Norway. I have a lot of family roots that go back to there. 

What is your dream career?

I want to become an elementary teacher. I want to work with kids and have the ability to coach, too. 

FAVORITES

Sport: Football.

Pro or college athlete: I'm a huge fan of (Oklahoma quarterback) Baker Mayfield. I know a lot of guys just hate him but I like the way he plays the game. He has fun doing it.

Movie: "Remember the Titans."

Favorite music group or artist. We listen to rap before games but I like pop and country in the car, so it's a mixed bag. 

Food: My grandma's anything. Her cooking is just delicious.