St. John’s was perfect in 15 first round playoff games beginning in 1987 however the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater ground game ended that streak.
Warhawk Running Back Levell Coppage - Photo By Sowden
Saturday could not have started more perfectly for the Johnnies: Limiting the UWW Warhawks to 17 yards on their first drive, receiving the ensuing punt with the wind at their back and then combining a beautifully orchestrated mix of runs and passes over 12 plays that ended with a short touchdown pass to running back Jakob Reding.
There were other highlights on the day that ultimately ended with a 37 – 7 Whitewater victory however few of them occurred on the actual playing field.
Departing the Twin Cities at 4:45am Saturday morning there was a light coating of snow on the freeway heading east into Wisconsin on Interstate 94. Several years ago in 2006 a heavy snow fell in Southeastern Wisconsin and delayed the start of the Johnnie versus Warhawk game nearly one hour. This year the snow ended just east of Eau Claire, WI making the rest of the trip relatively smooth.
The entire 5 hour journey was dotted with blaze orange as Wisconsinites celebrated their deer opener with mass appeal. My travel partner and I were amazed we weren’t run over by leaping deer dashing from captors or blasted by any number of slugs whizzing through the freeway’s wooded areas. Saturday didn’t require a firearm to claim your animal as there was plenty to pick from along the road side.
Earlier on Friday we were warned the UWW broadcast team was looking for someone from the tailgate crew to interview during their Saturday morning pregame show. It appeared one of our JF.com founding members would be selected however it was the “Godfather” of Stiftungsfestivities, “Johnnie Red” Mike Fahey that did the honors. And a fine interview Mike gave to the “Voice” of the Warhawks, Tom Pattison. In typical judicial form Mike recounted the eight year history of Johnnie tailgating and the origin of the name adorning these pregame gatherings –“Stiftungsfestivities”.
Zooming east along 94 at 8:30 am wile listening to the Warhawks early morning pregame and Johnnie Red detailing the Johnnie experience was the perfect entrée’ to what would be another exciting playoff season. Most Johnnie fans knew Saturday’s game would be a difficult match-up against the defending national champs but with last second season ending victories they also knew the possibility of victory existed.
What committed Johnnie fans saw first hand in Whitewater was a Warhawks program that will challenge Mount Union at the Stagg Bowl in mid-December and compete for championships well into the future.
Big time Players from Milwaukee and Chicago now dot the Warhawks roster bringing with them big-time ability and a competiveness several notches above the MIAC. The two feature running backs for the Warhawks, Levell Coppage and Antwan Anderson, would seriously compete for playing time on the Gopher football team. Place kicker Jeff Schebler is also good enough to compete on the division I level booming field goals with precision from 41 yards out.
It’s up to the Johnnie Football program, the University and it’s alumni to figure out how to catch-up with this new Division III powerhouse. Of course there are academics to consider, the player base needed to gather the next generation of superstars from and the actual recruiting required to supplement an offense in need of superstar playmakers.
Here’s one fan who’s hoping a few specialized student athletes can be located to fill a roster that will contend in 2009 for the conference championship and another run at the DIII playoffs. I’m also hoping “ground round” applies to the meat grinder approach the Johnnies will employ next year in dismantling the Warhawks and their coach Lance Leipold.
• In this season of thanks I’d like to express appreciation to all the great Johnnie fans that’ve made 2008 another spectacularly entertaining fall football season. A special thanks to our advertisers who allow us to work with the talented Mr. Shoes, The JohnnieFootball.com webmaster. A personal thanks to all the committed folks who contribute to this website and provide what I believe is unmatched content anywhere in the country either at the college or professional level. And of course thank you to the players for their commitment to not only Johnnie Football but also to their academics and continuation of the Johnnie tradition. Most of all I’d like to honor the parents of Johnnie Football, to your support for your sons and willingness to share your Saturdays with us.
JohnnieUpEverybody!
Dedicated St. Cloud Tailgaters - Photo Courtesy of Jeff Sowden
