PREVIEW: Germantown Warhawks @ Hartford Orioles

VS.

The Hartford Orioles (1-0) come into the 2008 season with very high expectations being picked as the favorite to win the Wisconsin Little Ten Conference title by every other coach in the league. They return all-conference players on both the offense and defensive lines.

In Week 2 of the 2008 season, they take on a Germantown (0-1) team on the other side of the coin, rebuilding after a strong 2007 campaign that saw the Warhawks lose in WIAA Division 2 State Playoff Semi-Final game coming up one win short of a trip to Camp Randall Stadium. They graduated every starting skill position player on offense, the entire starting defensive secondary, and all three starting linebackers. To say they are inexperienced is an understatement.

However, the young team played valiantly in the 2008 season opener, taking Driscoll Catholic (Addison, IL) into the fourth quarter trailing by a slim 7-0 deficit. They finally succumbed to the Illinois perennial powerhouse – Driscoll Catholic has won seven consecutive Class 4A Illinois State Titles – by a final score of 17-0.

Hartford opened its 2008 season against an opponent of considerably less stature, but was nonetheless impressive. The Orioles routed Milwaukee Washington 48 – 0 riding a balanced offensive attack that gained 156 yards rushing and 203 yards passing, and a defense that gave up a scant 96 yards in total offense and forced three turnovers.

Their first year backfield was impressive in its debut, and must continue the momentum against an always tough Germantown team, coached by Phil Datka, who is entering his 40th season as their head coach.

Germantown’s defense must come up big in this game, keeping the score close as they did against Driscoll Catholic last week. If the Warhawks bend but don’t break defense – they gave up 371 total yards but only 17 points – can keep the game close into the fourth quarter, they will have a chance to pull the upset. But Hartford comes into this game as the favorite and will try to build confidence heading into the conference season.

Click the play button to listen to the interview with Hartford's Coach Brunner

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