The 2025 edition of the Manitowoc Lutheran football team has been in the making for several years.
The Lancers just completed an undefeated regular season and won their first conference title since 2011.
Head Coach Ryan Hulse tells SeehaferNews.com, “We were able to make it through undefeated, and being able to make it through to the playoffs has everyone excited. I think it’s a big deal.”
Move the calendar up to 2018. Numbers were so low that there was discussion of co-oping with another school or possibly playing eight-man football.
The decision was made to stick it out solo knowing that more tough times lie ahead.
Senior lineman Collin Rounds is a captain and four-year starter who says this class of seniors believed that they could achieve something special.
“Four years after my junior varsity season, we all sat down with our head coach Mr. Hochmuth (Ryan), who’s now our defensive coordinator,” he revealed. “We all signed a piece of paper vowing that before we graduated, we were going to put the work in and win the conference. We’ve done it and I’m so excited. It’s starting to sink in that this has become a reality for us.”
The reality is also that the Lancers are a number one seed and will host the Waterloo Pirates in a WIAA level one Division Six playoff game on Friday night at Coach Heidrich Field.
The Pirates love to run the ball, led by senior Chizobah Ugorji, who has rushed for over one thousand yards this season.
Senior linebacker Tristan Hulse says he has the Lancers’ attention.
“He’s a player. In fact, he might be the best running back we’ve seen this season, but our defense has been up to the task all year long in stopping the run,” he explained. “I’m certain we’ll have a game plan ready, and if we execute, we should be able to handle him decent.”
Manitowoc Lutheran will have homefield advantage through the quarterfinals, provided they “survive and advance”.
Senior wide receiver and defensive back Isaiah Muchka says Lancer Nation has been terrific.
“The fans and the atmosphere that we have are something I’ve never felt before,” he said. “We really feed off their enthusiasm, and they get us extra hyped up, even as much to where the noise can wreck some offensive game plans at times.”
Coverage of Friday night’s game begins at 6:45 p.m. on 980 WCUB and CubRadio.com.
