The Kiel Raiders are hoping to make some noise in the WIAA Division five playoffs. Kiel is coming off a perfect 9-0 season led by a potent offense capable of gouging defenses on the ground and through the air.
The Raiders are led by 21 seniors, including quarterback Cade Voelker and running back Bryce Gullixon on offense.
Head Coach David Esswein spoke with Seehafer News ahead of their round one matchup against Peshtigo, tomorrow (October 25th).
Coach Esswein said the improvements this team has made started early.
“It started with our offseason program and the strides that our team made, physically, in the weight room,” he told Seehafer News. “Developing our strength, developing our speed and just continuing to build that hardworking mindset.”
With the regular season results the Raiders have found, Esswein also mentioned how great it is to see that hard work pay off the way it has.
Kiel has been a force on offense averaging just under 47 points per game while adding a staggering 247 rushing yards a game thanks in large part to Gullixon’s 26 rushing touchdowns.
The offense has been anything but one-dimensional, however, as Voelker has completed 69 percent of his passes for 18 touchdowns to an impressive one interception.
The importance of this balance come playoffs was also highlighted by Coach Esswein, as he said it is “something we’ve been trying to build. When you face strong opponents in the playoffs, they are going to take something away.”
With 21 seniors on this team, Esswein also finished off with a message to them as each playoff game could be their last.
“Make the most of it while you’re there. Live in the moment,” he told us was his message. “Do your absolute best so there’s no regrets when you look back at it later.”
The number two-seeded Kiel Raiders are set to take on an unorthodox yet athletic seventh-seeded Peshtigo Bulldogs team tomorrow night.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. under the lights at Fifrick Field as the Raiders look to keep their winning ways rolling in the postseason.
