3 things to know in 2024

After coaching the Cardinals’ defensive backs last season, Andy Ryan has replaced Andrew Selgrad as Columbus’ football coach.

Selgrad led the Cardinals for three outstanding years, including winning the WIAA Division 4 state championship in 2022, before stepping down and eventually taking the coaching job at Ripon.

Columbus finished the season 10-2 and advanced to the third round of the Division 5 playoffs, where it lost to eventual state champion La Crosse Aquinas 20-13.

This marked the end of the high school career of Colton Brunell, who finished as the state’s top rushing player and was also a mainstay at linebacker while being named the state’s Player of the Year by the Associated Press. Brunell, Brady Link and Jefferson Mobry were among the departing players who helped the Cardinals reach great heights.

But this season is a new chapter and Columbus is off to a great start. The Cardinals’ play at the line of scrimmage should be impressive, including on offense. All five offensive players are back.

“We’ve been working on getting bigger, faster and stronger in the offseason,” Ryan said. “We want to build on the momentum from last year.”

Here are three things you should know about the Columbus football team.

The offensive line is intact and is expected to be lined up the same as last year, Ryan said.

That means a powerful combination of junior Wyatt Graffin at right guard and senior Rey Guerrero at right tackle, senior Carter Gmeinder at center, junior Jordan Reuter at left guard and junior Landon Schultz at left tackle.

“The offensive line has a lot of talent and a lot of experience, so it’s a good mix of both,” Ryan said. “We have a really experienced line. All five starters are back, which is huge for us, so we can do more things.”

The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Graffin, who placed second in the shot put at the WIAA Division 2 track and field championships last spring, was selected to the Capitol Conference first-team all-conference as an offensive lineman and defensive lineman last year.

Graffin and Guerrero are attracting interest from the university. Graffin said his strengths are how well he releases the ball and how quickly he moves away from his guard position.

The 6-foot-5, 295-pound Guerrero, a second-team offensive lineman, said his down blocking, which keeps opposing defenders off balance, is one of his strengths. So far, Guerrero has recruited players from UW-Oshkosh, UW-River Falls, Ripon, Drake and Dubuque, Ryan said.

Conner Roche, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound junior, will take over as the Cardinals’ primary running back, replacing Brunell, who left for North Dakota.

“He played really well last year,” Ryan said of Roche, who rushed for 264 yards and scored four touchdowns. “We’re obviously going to lose Colton Brunell (who rushed for 2,298 yards in 2023). (Roche) really needs to step up and take on that role.”

Roche, who is recruited as a running back, and Brunell were first-team all-conference last year as inside linebackers. Roche, who had 83 total tackles, including 16 tackles for loss and eight sacks, will be asked to take Brunell’s place this year, Ryan said.

“When you play linebacker, the first thing we’re taught is how to fly to the ball,” Roche said. “On running plays, my job is to get into the gaps.”

So far, Roche has been interested in recruiting students from Dubuque, UW-Oshkosh, UW-River Falls and Augustana, Ryan said.

Graffin, who wreaks havoc in the backfield despite double coverage along the defensive line, will likely clear paths for the linebackers when he’s not making tackles himself.

Peyton Powers gained valuable experience as a quarterback in his sophomore year last year, passing for 1,295 yards and 22 touchdowns and running for 414 yards and five touchdowns.

“The experience has given me confidence for this year,” said Powers, a 6-foot-3, 175-pound junior. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. We’re ready to compete and have a great season.”

Ryan said: “He has a lot more confidence as a player and leader.”

Junior receiver Jordan Mobry should be a key target for Powers.

“I’m excited,” Mobry said. “We have a good bond. We’ve played together every year since fourth grade. Even before that in flag (football).”

Trainer: Andy Ryan, first season, 0-0.

Last season: 10-2, 6-1 Capitol Conference (second place to Lodi). Made it to the third round of the WIAA Division 5 playoffs, losing 20-13 to eventual champion La Crosse Aquinas.

Notable returnees include: Conner Roche, RB/LB, Sr.; Peyton Powers, QB, Jr.; Jordan Mobry, WR/DB, Jr.; Rey Guerrero, OL/DL, Sr.; Wyatt Graffin, OL/DL, Jr.; Carter Gmeinder, OL/DL, Sr.; Landon Schultz, OL/DL, Jr.; Jordan Reuter, OL/DL, Jr.