EDITOR'S NOTE: The Swnews4u.com Athlete of the Week is a new web-only feature that will publish each Friday throughout the calendar year.
It has been the traditional banner year for Lancaster football that many have become accustomed to, throughout the Arrows two-plus decades of excellence, including four consecutive trips to state. The Arrows sputtered out of the gate this season with a new cast of characters going 1–3 in their non-conference schedule.
But Friday night the Arrows got back on track thanks to senior fullback Nic Wood, this week's Mast Water Technology Athlete of the Week. Wood rushed for 193 yards and six touchdowns on just 14 carries as the Arrows smashed visiting Richland Center 54–14 last Friday night to start 1–0 in Southwest Wisconsin Conference play.
Wood began the year as a starting halfback until sophomore fullback Evan Gates sustained a broken collar bone two weeks ago in a loss at Gale–Ettrick–Trempeleau prompting a change. Wood proved a quick study at his new position racking up 139 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown in the loss at G.E.T.
Friday night, Wood was a threat to take it the distance each time he touched the ball against the overmatched Hornets. He scored on runs of 3, 4, 5, 11, 59 and 60 yards. He also caught one pass for 17 yards and returned a kickoff 49 yards to finish with 259 all-purpose yards on 16 touches.
"I think the offensive line did a nice job, but Nic has something that none of our other backs have," said Lancaster head coach John Hoch. "He has a little more explosiveness and a little more power. I think the O-line did a nice job of creating some seals and I think our quarterback (Drew Reuter) felt a little more comfortable reading (the option). When we do those things, our offense clicks a little better."
Wood came within one touchdown of tying Lancaster's 64-year-old record for most touchdowns scored in a game, set by Ken Irish with seven scores in a 60–0 victory over Fennimore in 1951.
HONORABLE MENTION:
Michelle Budden, Sr., Southwestern, volleyball
Budden had 21 kills and eight blocks to lead the Wildcats to a sweep of SWAL rival Cuba City last Thursday night, 25–22, 25–20, 25–23. Southwestern's victory snapped the Cubans' 43-match conference winning streak that dated back to 2011. Over the weekend Budden led the undefeated Wildcats (15–0–1) to three victories and the tournament championship at the four-team Benton Invitational. Budden recorded 55 kills, 12 blocks and 13 digs on the day to lead the Wildcats.
Bridgett Myers, Sr., River Ridge, volleyball
The senior outside hitter/setter led the Timberwolves to five straight wins in the past week. She posted 14 kills, 10 digs and seven assists in a 3–1 victory over Potosi last Tuesday. She then totaled 38 kills, 20 digs, 14 assists and a pair of blocks in victories over Ithaca, Wauzeka and Cassville at Saturday's Cassville quadrangular invitational as River Ridge went 3–0 on the day. Monday night, Myers posted 16 kills, nine assists and seven digs as the 'Wolves (13–1–1, 5–1 Six Rivers West) swept host Cassville.
Dakota Kaufman Sr. and Mackenzie Kaufman, Jr., Boscobel, cross country
The siblings lead their respective teams as Boscobel swept the Division 3 titles at the 59th annual Wausau Smiley Invitational last Saturday. Dakota finished second in Division III field at 16:09 and led the Boscobel boys to a third-place finish team finish in the 32-team combined D2/D3 class. Mackenzie placed fourth in Division 3 and sixth in the combined D2/D3 race at 20:29 as the Boscobel girls placed second in the combined D2/D3 class.
Hunter Johnson, Jr., Darlington, football
Johnson rushed for 254 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Redbirds to a key 34–13 victory over SWAL rival Cuba City last Friday night. Johnson scored from 18 yards out in the first quarter as Darlington (5–0) raced out to a 21–0 halftime lead, then scored on a pair of breakaways in the fourth quarter, 79 and 63 yards out, to put the game away after the Cubans (4–1) pulled with in eight points, 21–13, on a Kyle Bass to Bradey Vaassen 58-yard TD pass with 8:12 remaining.
Cody Klossowski, Sr., Ithaca, football
Klossowski overcame three fumbles by rushing for 165 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 18 carries and caught four passes for 35 yards as the Bulldogs (5–0) held off Southern Door, 26–22, in a non-conference victory last Saturday afternoon. Klossowski's 70-yard touchdown run on 4th-and-1 with 3:44 left in the game proved to be the game-winning touchdown. He also held Southern Door star receiver Mitch Gerend to just three catches in the game, and none on Southern Door's final drive.
Mackenzie Sullivan, Sr., Hillsboro, volleyball
The do-everything senior posted 29 kills, 30 assists and 30 digs to lead the Tigers to three straight Scenic Bluffs victories last Week. Hillsboro (9–7) swept Casthon and Brookwood at last Tuesday's SCB quadrangular at Brookwood High School. Sullivan posted nine kills and 12 assists last Thursday in a 3–0 victory at Necedah.
