Appleton North defense comes up big in opening win over Mukwonago

Get ready Appleton North football fans, the team's 10-7 victory over Mukwonago just might be a microcosm for what's in store the rest of the season.

A power run game, shutdown defense and just enough passing helped the Lightning get the win in a nonconference game Aug. 20 at Paul Engen Field. Mukwonago entered the game as the No. 7 team in the initial ESPN Wisconsin high school poll among large schools.

Given the Lightning's rugged schedule – North plays at defending WIAA Division 2 state champ West De Pere next week – many fans might run out of fingernails as the season progresses.

But that's OK for North coach Rob Salm and the players. They know they have the talent and drive to meet that challenge.

"We knew coming into the season that we had a really tight-knit group. They really play for each other," Salm said. "So in those crucial moments, they're going to hang together."

There was plenty of evidence of that late in the game against Mukwonago, with North nursing a 10-7 lead.

North got a critical stop on a second-down play from linebacker Cole Hank, who tackled a receiver inbounds inside the 20-yard line to help run down the final seconds. Mukwonago’s final play was batted down to preserve the win.

Hank, a 5-foot-9, 207-pound senior, said technique helped him make the play.

"Just break down, open-field tackling. We work a lot on that in practice," Hank said. "Make sure I watch his hips, keep my outside shoulder on him and make a play." 

Salm said Hank is a special player who shows top-level awareness on the field.

"Cole Hank, as far as football IQ, is one of the best players we've ever had," Salm said. "He just does all those things out on the field. He's like a coach out there and there's never a moment that's too big for him. You know, he's always ready to make that play. I'm just really proud of him, because he's put the work in. He deserves this."

Finnley Sheridan had a 12-yard touchdown reception from Owen Rein for North’s lone touchdown. Senior running back Brock Struensee had 30 carries for 140 yards to lead the North offense.

North dominated the first half and led 10-0 at the half. The Lightning defense was led by Maverick Marta, a junior linebacker, who had three tackles, including two for loss with two sacks. The Lightning held Mukwonago to 21 offensive plays in the first half and one first down.

The Lightning offensive line of Kaden Hackbarth, Adam Greenslade, Curtis Leopold, Zander Osorio and the rotation of Gavin Frega and Mason Thompson set tempo for most of the game. With Frega in the lineup, the line averages 6-4, 280.

"We're back to what we want to be," Salm said. "We want to be a power run team, play good defense, take care of the ball and then make plays. And we have opportunities and win ballgames."

Mukwonago's senior quarterback George Molitor had a slow first half but had a much better performance in the second half, including hitting receiver Will Reuling on a deep 57-yard strike that set up a 3-yard touchdown run from Alex Ksobiech in the third quarter.

Hank said North won't have long to celebrate with the showdown with West De Pere on the horizon.

"Just tonight," Hank said. "We already got practice tomorrow morning. We're ready to go next week for West De Pere already."

Kimberly got a reminder about the big-play ability of Sussex Hamilton during its 27-12 season-opening loss to the Chargers at Papermaker Stadium.

Hamilton, which beat Kimberly twice during the 2025 season, scored on 37- and 44-yard pass receptions to take a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, then got a 55-yard touchdown run from Esten Haas late in the third quarter after Kimberly had rallied to within 14-12.

“We’re a tough team to score on,” Kimberly coach Chad Michalkiewicz said. “They’re a really tough offense to stop. They’re gonna make plays, too. You know, 27 [points allowed], I think, isn’t totally indicative. I think the defense played a heck of a game tonight.”

Kimberly got two field goals from Maddux Hermus in the first half – 43 yards in the first quarter and 31 yards in the second quarter.

The Papermakers pulled within 14-12 on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Rylan Welch to Chase Schiedermayer with 3:21 remaining in the third quarter, but the two-point attempt failed on an incomplete pass.

“The kids’ effort tonight was awesome,” Michalkiewicz said. “It was really awesome. The sidelines stayed together. You get down 14-nothing to a team you lost to twice last year and to score 12 unanswered, three scoring drives. The defense played phenomenal. Offense moved the ball, put points on the board.”

Hamilton’s Cooper Blaszczyk sealed the victory with an interception for the Chargers defense with 1:11 remaining. Kimberly also lost a fumble in the first half.

“We’re just a very young team and we’re not going to use that as a crutch or an excuse,” Michalkiewicz said. “We’re always playing to win. But there’s a lot of positives that we can take from this game, and this team’s gonna be built for the long haul this season, that’s for sure.”

Kimberly goes on the road in Week 2 to play at defending Division 1 state runner-up Bay Port. The Pirates opened the season with a 56-15 victory over Middleton.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Appleton North defense comes up big in opening win over Mukwonago