The 2024 Panther football team has had a great season so far, with a record of 5-1. They have three more regular season games before the playoffs start at the end of October.
After a tough loss to the defending D2 state champs Lake Geneva Badger 27-17, Greendale has gone on a five game winning streak while putting up a minimum of 35 points per game since week 1. With a lot of returning starters coming back like QB Landon Lopez, who has thrown for over 1,000 passing yards through the first six weeks, linebacker Trevor Picago, who leads the conference in tackles with 47, and runningback Sawyer Hakow, who is top three in the conference in rushing yards, they look to lead the Panthers each week. Players that are returning work to fix their past mistakes to strive for further in the playoffs.
“ I think our team connection is very good but we need to improve on playing complete games.” Senior QB Landon Lopez said.
As the Panthers rolled their first four conference opponents they look at the end of the schedule against harder teams ahead of them. With only three games left in the regular season they have to play Wisconsin Luthern, Grafton, and Whitnall. Wisconsin Luthern and Grafton have always been the big competitors with Greendale for the conference championship.
As Grafton is coming off a great season last year, making it to the D3 state championship but falling short to Rice Lake. Grafton returns with almost all of their starters back so the panthers look forward to playing Grafton with hopes to beat them to win the Conference championship.
“ Grafton is always our biggest competition for sure. They have a lot of big dudes and are well coached so it will be exciting to play them.” Senior Center Greysen Doersching said.
Since the end of last season returning players have had their goals set in stone. If you ask any player what the team’s goals are for the season you’ll hear every player say win conference and win state. Although Greendale in the past has made it very close to winning a state championship they have never won one. In the Greendale football culture there is never doubt that winning state and conference is always the ultimate goal.
“Greendale is always doubted and we’re always the underdogs but we keep our heads down and grind to work towards our goals.” Senior Center Greysen Doersching said.
