One day before the 2017-18 school year started, the Wauwatosa East football team picked up its first win in three years, beating West Allis Hale 28-7. The Raiders got off to a fast start, scoring twice in the first quarter, and holding the Huskies to only one touchdown. Senior Jeremiah King ran all over Hale’s defense for 130 yards and a touchdown, and sophomore Donovan Hunt ran for another 27 yards and two touchdowns, along with Hunt returning a blocked punt for a score. “It felt amazing finally winning a game after having the second longest losing streak,” King detailed.
Junior Michael Pridgeon had nine tackles to lead the team, and senior Scott Henry contributed an interception for the Raiders. When asked about what made the game so successful, senior Cole Tate said, “I think special teams played a big role in that game. We blocked two punts and one was returned for a touchdown. All of that really helped us keep the momentum on our side.”
Keeping the momentum is big for any team, but momentum may mean a little bit more for the Red Raiders. “In my opinion, this has been one of the best football seasons the school has seen in awhile,” Tate explained.
This has been evident for the Raiders, who are scoring an average of 16 points per game, as well as being able to stay in games against tougher opponents, which lead into the game on Friday, September 15th, against Marquette. Marquette stormed out of the gates in that game, scoring 21 straight points in the first half. East came back around with a touchdown pass by junior Garrett Long to senior Matthew Kubicek, and a 93 yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Hunt. However, East was not able to fully overcome the slow start, and lost a competitive game 35-20. “We are playing harder and faster than we ever have and multiple people are stepping up into big roles,” Tate said.
One of those people stepping into a big role is Hunt, who is second on the team in rushing, with 239 yards, to go along with his three touchdowns. He has also contributed greatly on special teams, returning two kickoffs for touchdowns, one against Brookfield Central, the other against Marquette, and with the blocked punt return against Hale. “Out of the six games we’ve played so far, I’d say half have been good games for us and allowed some people in the conference to see we’re not the same Tosa East we use to be,” Hunt said.
Head Coach Matthew Kende he said the same things about his team.: “When Donovan Lauda blocked the punt against Hale, that was a spark plug for us and really gave us momentum going forward in that game.”
All throughout the season, Kender has been establishing a family feeling within the team, and making sure all the kids are buying into his philosophies as a coach. “The seniors have been doing a great job buying into the system and helping the younger guys do the same. This is a tough league, and our kids keep fighting which is all we can expect,” Kender said. “We try to make the team like a family. Win or lose, these guys are always sticking together, and that’s what’s important. The consistency factor in football is important as well, and Kender stressed this greatly,“The consistency with the expectations is to always improve, and the kids know what’s expected of them in being more reliable in performing better.”
When asking how they will be able to perform better and more consistently, Kender said this: “We want to develop a consistent weight room program. In the sport of football, you have to develop your body to be able to get better.” It seems like Coach Kender really has the right idea going with the Red Raiders.