Few things better encapsulates early-season football than cramping and procedure penalties.
Players aren’t used to a full game yet after the summer break and younger players make silly mistakes.
This is not a slight on any team, and it happens everywhere.
Both were noticeable on Friday, Aug. 21, as Howards Grove defeated Valders 18-8 in a Week 1 non-conference clash.
Each team had head coaches making their debut in the Tigers’ Andrew Wagner and Vikings’ John Lenz.
Wagner was beyond elated with the win.
“I wish there was words to describe it,” Wagner said. “A mix of anxiety, happiness and a bit of confusion. It’s an emotion you can’t describe.”
And even though his team came up short, Lenz too had a memorable first game.
“I love Friday night lights and I love being out here with these kids,” Lenz said. “I’m proud of them no matter what. Even if we didn’t come out on top, we’re building kids to be the best possible.”
As for the early-season jitters, neither coach was too caught off guard as its just how these things go.
“I don’t care if we had a shutout or won by 50 points, each week we’re going to be looking to improve,” Wagner said.
Added Lenz: “It’s early season football. We put a young team out there. We thought the kids battled hard. We got to clean things up but we’re one team, whether you’re a freshman or senior.”
After trailing for much of the game, Howards Grove was able to get contributions from seniors quarterback Harry Schroeder and running back Matthew Koenig.
Schroeder threw a pair of long touchdown passes to sophomore receiver Charlie Horness while Koenig had a 37-yard touchdown run and gained 138 yards.
“I’m pumped,” Wagner said. “I got to give kudos to all these guys. We’re low on numbers but we fought hard. Just 100% effort, they came after it.”
Manitowoc/Sheboygan Week 1 high school football results
Thursday, Aug. 20
Oconto 39, Mishicot 0
De Pere 47, Manitowoc Lincoln 0
Friday, Aug. 21
Green Bay Southwest 33, Sheboygan South 13
Port Washington 39, Sheboygan North 20
Kohler/Lutheran/Christian 28, Reedsville 6
Manitowoc Lutheran 36, Roncalli 0
Lake Country Lutheran 38, Kiel 14
Ozaukee/Random Lake 42, Kingdom Prep Lutheran 12
Plymouth 42, Menasha 41
New Holstein 35, Southern Door 15
Mayville 23, Cedar Grove-Belgium 0
Howards Grove 18, Valders 8
Oostburg 34, Sheboygan Falls 26
Contact Tom Dombeck at 920-686-2965 or tdombeck@htrnews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Tom_Dombeck.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Howards Grove beats Valders in head coaches’ debut | Week 1 football recap
Reporting by Tom Dombeck, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter / Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Tom Dombeck, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter | USA TODAY Network
