APPLETON — The Fox Valley Lutheran football team is off to a 3-0 start earlier this season.
They have scored at least 40 points in every game so far and have plenty of weapons to attack the opposing team.
“Every game is different, one player is going to have a great game while others just complement him and then he changes,” said FVL head coach Seth Jaeger. “We have a group of receivers that are close (as a group), that are great. You have to choose your poison.
The Foxes are tearing apart the opposing defenses with their aerial attack. This year, they have a new quarterback at the helm. Junior Liam Heiges, who already has 12 touchdown passes and a 143 passer rating. More importantly, he only has one interception. Heiges was a running back for the team in his sophomore year.
“He makes good decisions and that’s great,” Jaeger said. “Of course we have keys that he reads. He is one of the most coachable players you can have as a coach. He really he accepts our show, what we’re doing.”
“He’s consistent, he’s always there,” senior wide receiver Bennett Reader said. “Always in the money. Every time he has a bad pitch, he always shrugs it off and gets the next one, then gets the next one. I love that about him. He always has his head held high.”
As a good leader does, the young quarterback gives all the credit to everyone around him. Especially an offensive line that hasn’t allowed opposing defenses to record a sack.
“My receivers are doing everything they can to get open, all I have to do is put the ball there,” Heiges said. “My lineman, they are amazing guys. They keep my pocket clear and give me time.”
He has good weapons, the team has four receivers with more than 100 yards. Reader leads the team with five touchdown receptions. Senior Cavan Dobberstein can take the top of the defense. He only has 8 catches, but he has 287 yards. A whopping almost 36 yards per catch.
“It’s been amazing, Liam has told me. I just have to get past (the defender) and he’ll put it in my hands,” Dobberstein said.
Much of the success in the aerial game is due to their countless repetitions together on the field. But off the field, the group watches and discusses the film together.
“As coaches we love that. We love it when kids want to talk about football and have thoughts and ideas and incorporate them into what they can actually do on the pitch.”
FVL welcomes Xavier on Friday night. These two teams have met 52 times and it will be the 36th edition of the Apple Bowl.
