EDITOR'S NOTE: The Swnews4u.com Athlete of the Week is a web-only feature that will publish each Thursday or Friday throughout the calendar year.
By Jimmie Kaska, Boscobel Dial
Job Wetter, Sr., RB/DL, Boscobel football
WARREN, Ill. — Two football programs faced each other on Saturday, but a moment between two students from opposing sides of the gridiron match-up stole the show this past weekend.
Boscobel’s Job Wetter, a senior running back/defensive end, is deaf and hard of hearing. Before the game, when this fact was relayed to Black Hawk/Warren head football coach Desmond Breadon, he asked if his young son could meet Job.
Like Job, Breadon’s son, Mateo, is also hard of hearing. In fact, through CESA 3, Job and Mateo share the same teacher.
Wetter, a 3-sport student-athlete who also wrestles and runs track, has spent his entire life hard of hearing. However, that hasn’t stopped him from competing at a high level in sports.
Job’s father, Lance, a former Boscobel student-athlete himself who is the head coach of the Boscobel/Wauzeka–Steuben wrestling program, said that Job’s worked hard for all of the success he’s had so far.
“The best thing about coaching Job is that his mental toughness and conditioning is second to none in the room,” Lance said. “Sometimes, though, I forget as a coach, even being his father, that if I turn my back to him, he can’t see me, and therefore can’t ‘hear’ me.”
Megan Yeomans, Job’s longtime ASL interpreter, said that what Job has been able to do despite being deaf defies explanation.
“I have had the privilege of working with Job since he was in third grade, and watching his journey has been nothing short of inspiring,” Yeomans said. “Job does not let his hearing loss hold him back. Even when he encounters obstacles or negativity, Job pushes through with strength that sets him apart.”
Job is a part of Boscobel's 4x200 relay team that made it to the WIAA Track and Field State Championships in June. He also is in his fourth year as both a wrestler and as a football player, where he’s the state’s leader with four forced fumbles halfway through the season and is a few tackles shy of 200 for his career. Wetter recorded nine tackles in last Saturday's 74–0 loss at Black Hawk/Warren. Wetter lead the Bulldogs' defense with 35 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack, in four games this year.
What motivates Job to succeed?
“I was raised in a competitive household,” Job, the oldest of Lance and Emily’s children, said. “And when it comes to being hard of hearing, you get used to other people not knowing and having to adapt, and it pushes me to prove others wrong.”
On Saturday, after the game, Job made his way across the field to meet Mateo, where he was greeted with a hug. After an initial bout of shyness from Mateo, who is in elementary school, he opened up when Job knelt down next to him, took out his hearing aid, and showed it to Mateo.
“I see you have magic ears, just like me,” Job said. Mateo smiled and nodded. The two talked a little bit about football before taking pictures together.
Mateo’s father, coach Desmond Breadon, said it was as special of a moment as he’s had in football as a coach and as a parent.
“That was a moment that can’t quite be put into words,” Breadon said. “To have Mateo continue to see there are other kids out there just like him and that he can do anything he wants in life and not let his lack of hearing keep him from it… Mateo loves football, so to see Job as a role model was huge.”
While he admits he never saw himself being a role model, Job said he likes the idea of having someone look up to him.
“I’ve always liked giving, not receiving,” Job said. “I didn’t have anyone older than me with hearing loss that would come and talk to me. It is neat having people come to me, because now there’s someone that can ask me questions and I’m happy to answer them.”
Job is also quick to point out that he’s had a lot of people supporting him along the way.
“I’m lucky to have had great teammates, friends like Chanse Johnson, and of course my parents and coaches,” Job said. “Miss Yeomans is my school mother and makes sure I have everything I need to do well here too,” he added, pointing at the school building.
After high school, Job is already set to continue working in construction, having already earned an apprenticeship from Findorff, the company that did the Boscobel school referendum building additions. He along with eight other Boscobel football seniors will graduate next spring.
The football program will recognize those seniors, along with senior managers, cheer squad, and pep band members, this Friday at halftime of Boscobel’s game against Potosi/Cassville.
by Jason Nihles, The Platteville Journal / Fennimore Times / Boscobel Dial
HONORABLE MENTION (in alphabetical order)
Brody Digman, Jr., QB, Platteville
Digman threw a 63-yard touchdown pass to senior Jauron Blevins with 1:03 left in the game to lead Platteville to a dramatic 40–38 SWC win over visiting Lancaster last Friday night. Digman finished the night 11 of 18 for 204 yards and four TDs with one interception, and rushed for 107 yards and a score on just six carries. Blevins caught two passes for 116 yards and two scores, while fellow senior Myron Reuter hauled in seven passes for 87 yards and 2 TDs.
Landon Friesen, Jr., WR/DB, Iowa–Grant
Friesen had another big game with eight catches for 192 yard and two long touchdowns in Iowa–Grant's dominating 51–13 SWAL victory at Pecatonica/Argyle last Friday night. Friesen now has 31 receptions for 639 yards and eight touchdown catches, as well as 16 tackles and one interception through four games.
Brock Hinderman, Jr., QB/DB, Iowa–Grant
Hinderman completed 19 of 26 passes for 325 yards and six touchdowns to lead Iowa–Grant to a 51–13 victory at Pecatonica/Argyle Friday night. Hinderman connected with classmate Landon Friesen eight time for 192 yards and two TDs, and threw a pair of TD passes to senior Sam Lundeall (7–86). He also added a 6-yard touchdown run in the first quarter as IG opened up a 22–6 lead.
Natalie Horsfall, Jr., Kiera Kartman, Jr., Kylee Mumm, Sr. and Kate Kenney, Jr., Fennimore cross country
The Fennimore quartet of Natalie Horsfall (2nd, 19:52.1), Kiera Kartman (4th, 20:33.0), Kylee Mumm (5th, 21:09.7) and junior Kate Kenney (7th, 21:33.7) each ran to Top-10 finishes to lead the Fennimore girls to the team title as last Tuesday's Ryan Zimpel Memorial Invitational in Boscobel. The Golden Eagles beat the Tri-State Homeschool and individual champion Ruah Franzmann-Simmert (18:42.5), for the girls' team title, 47–90.
Cody Kletecka, Sr., TE/LB, Belmont
Kletecka caught three passes for 97 — all three for TDs — and had four tackles in Belmont's 60–12 Ridge & Valley-8 victory over visiting Kickapoo/La Farge last Friday night.
Offensive line, Potosi/Cassville football
Potosi/Cassville mammoth offensive line paved the way for 349 yards and four TDs in last Friday's 29–22 Six Rivers victory over River Ridge. The PC offensive line includes senior center Connor Emler (6’2”, 260), senior right guard Will Tobin (6’5”, 250), senior left guard Connor Robbins (6’2”, 220), senior right tackle Jackson Guiney (6’4”, 325) and senior left tackle Carter Bierman (6’7”, 270). Junior Hunter White rushed for a game-high 216 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries, while classmate River Sahr adding 112 yards and two scores on 15 carries.
Kaden Washa, Sr., QB/LB, Highland football
Washa turned in yet another stellar individual performance in Highland's 70–42 rout of Wisconsin Heights last Friday night. Washa rushed for 157 yards and 5 TDs, completed 10 of 15 passes for 239 yards and three more scores, and recorded a team-high 13 tackles to lead the Cardinals. He also returned five kickoffs for 175 yards, including an 85-yard touchdown. On the season, Washa has completed 36 of 67 passes for 702 yards, 12 TDs and 1 interception, while rushing for 274 yards and a team-high 9 touchdowns on 22 carries for the 3–1 Cardinals.
