Sports

Wolter learns in first year at East's helm

Raiders keep spirit positive, says coach

By Tom “Sky” Skibosh

Nov. 17, 2010

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Wauwatosa East's Jake Wolter will still be looking for his first victory as a head coach next season.

Although the Red Raiders finished last in the Greater Metro Conference (0-7, 0-8 overall) and saw their losing streak extend to 21 games, Wolter feels his squad has renewed a positive atmosphere in the program.

"I feel the biggest change is that we changed the atmosphere of Tosa East football," Wolter said last week. "Friday nights (were) a great experience for the kids and the community.

"There is more improvement in the fan base - there is more student body, more community. Fans followed us on the road. We had some impressive crowds compared to the 10 (to) 15 people that showed up at times last year."

Wolter reached out to the Touchdown Club, a group that has close to 150 members, and they could also see where the program is heading.

"I think that this will lead down the line to more victories, more community involvement. We want Wauwatosa East to be back on the map. It's not on it yet. We have a lot of work to do to make this a viable football program."

Wolter felt that he and his staff began working toward his long-term goals in his initial season.

"It was great to use the knowledge of your assistants," he said. "We put in our schemes, our ideas, and you can actually see these beginning to work in practice.

"As the season went on you could see this developing in games. Every coach wants to use his own ideas and have the final say. That's nice to have."

The toughest transition for Wolter dealt with his off-the-field duties more than his coaching duties.

"It was definitely a different role," he said. "You think as a young coach, you know what to expect, but there is more to do than you ever could imagine.

"The added work, the paperwork, getting officials, working with the administration … that's the biggest difference that I noticed. But it was definitely worth it."

The biggest highlight for Wolter and his staff came with his team's improvement with the schemes.

"As a team, from week to week, we got better," he said. "It was visible on the field as well as off it. You could see it as a fan on Friday night, and the coaching staff could see it every day at practice."

After not reaching double figures in the first five games, the Red Raiders hit double figures in three of the final four games.

They lost, 22-16, to Menomonee Falls when the Indians scored twice in the final minutes; they trailed Brookfield East, 13-6 at halftime before losing, 26-12, and they scored 21 points in a 42-21 loss to a tough Sussex Hamilton team.

Wolter will lose eight seniors. He had a message for them at the banquet.

"I told them at our first meeting, I couldn't guarantee wins or conference titles, but if you buy into what we're selling, we are going to have a successful program in the years to come," Wolter said. "They really did that.

"They were a great group that led by example. They worked hard to do the right thing. They deserved to win some games. My last couple words to the seniors were that, in three (to) four years when we're in the playoffs and playing for a conference title, I will thank this group, because they started it off."

Award winners

Senior linebacker Nick Mannebach was named the Red Raiders' team MVP, and he was second-team all-conference.

"He was a true leader," Wolter said. "The kids looked up to him."

Senior running back/defensive back Nick Schiltz earned the John Richmond Coaches' Award, and he was honorable mention all-conference.

"He did a fantastic job all year," Wolter said. "He played hurt most of the year. He had two 100-yard games in the GMC, which was not easy."

Junior lineman Mike Vogt was the most improved player, and senior wide receiver/defensive back Kyle Dobbe earned the Big T, Little Me Award as well as an all-conference honorable mention.

"I said at the banquet that it would be easier to name the positions he didn't play that the ones he did," Wolter said of Dobbe. "He was a no-brainer for the award."

Junior wide receiver/defensive back Vince Cupertino was second team all-conference and sophomore running back/linebacker DJ Greenhill was an honorable mention selection.