Team of the Week Somerset D4 State Champions

Game Result: Somerset 28, Little Chute 16  2014 Overall Record:  14-0

Despite all of the success the Spartan football program has enjoyed, Somerset had never had an undefeated season that crowned them state champs. Even the state championship team of 2012 finished second in the Middle Border conference. Head Coach Bruce Larson has taken a floundering football program and turned it into a dynasty. Last Thursday, the Spartans ran the mid line option offense to perfection as they rushed for 379 yards in 71 attempts in their 28-16 win over Little Chute. FB Max Praschak came into the game knowing that Little Chute would set 8 and 9 man defensive fronts just to slow him down. The offensive line, led by guard Austin Harty, continuously created enough gaps to allow Praschak and Baillargeon to get to the second level of the Mustang defense. Praschak did not reel off any long runs but pounded inside the tackles 46 times for 218 yards and 2 TDs. QB Reed Baillargeon complimented the inside running with finesse reads off tackle for 109 yards. In fact the running game of the Spartans was so dominant they only threw one pass in the game but even that one completion went 16 yards and a touchdown to William Kieckhoefer. Defensively, Somerset stuffed the Mustangs running game as Little Chute finished with a state finals record of -1 yard rushing on 12 attempts. With Little Chute turned one dimensional, throwing 31 times, Somerset's running game carved out a 34-14 minute ball control advantage and a 25 - 15 edge in first downs. The Spartans will graduate a large group of accomplished seniors but once again that has become the norm as the next class of players steps up to continue the Spartan tradition. Somerset may dominate the northern half of the bracket for years to come. In fact the only variable that may change Somerset's fortunes in the future could be the rapidly growing school that eventually will step up to Division 3.