DAVID COOK
Sports Scene
Change is the name of the game at Vestaburg this season. Not only do the Wolverines have a new coach this season, but the Vestaburg program is making the transition back to 11-man football and plenty of excitement surrounds the program.
Vestaburg turned in a 3-6 record last year playing 8-man football. The Wolverines will be playing the traditional 11-man football variety for the first time since 2019 and Vestaburg head coach Julian Paksi likes what he is seeing of the squad this season.
“I think we are doing pretty well,” said Paksi, who was an assistant coach with the team last season and was also a head coach at St. Louis for three seasons. “We’ve had pretty great numbers in the weight room. I’d say we average 25 to 30 kids. There is a positive atmosphere. I’m a new coach bringing new standards and new values and bringing back old traditions. We have a huge freshman group so we are excited to have a junior varsity squad and we are moving up to 11-man football so that is even more exciting too.”
The Wolverines have the numbers to make the move to 11-man football as between 35 and 40 players opened fall camp with the squad.
Offensively, the team has been busy in the offseason putting the new system in place.
“We’ve had a real good summer offseason,” Paksi said. “I’d say we have most of our formations and plays at hand doing different camps with different teams helped. We bring back a more mobile quarterback this year and that is going to help us. We have a pretty good line that has been together for the last couple years with one freshman that is going to help us.”
Putting the Vestaburg offense in motion is junior Brehm Warczinsky. A standout, all-around athlete, Warczinsky took the year off from football last season but is back ready to lead the offense with his blend of running skills and passing ability.
In front of Warczinsky is a veteran offensive line. Logan Griffin (6-1, 180) is a senior and four-year varsity player who is stationed at left tackle. Vic Cross is a senior lineman and returning starter at guard. Juniors Michael Caudill and Kofee Arntz also return and bring experience to the offensive line. Freshman Trent Hilding (6-0, 205) is a promising young player that will also make an impact at the center position or possibly tackle. Paksi also likes the strength gains the linemen have made in the weight room during the offseason.
Hilding is looking forward to his first year of varsity football and doing what he can to help the offensive line make the transition to 11-man football.
“I’m a little bit nervous but I hope I can fit in,” Hilding said. “I just want to help improve the offensive line the best I can. I think we can have a winning season this year if we keep working at it and keep progressing.”
At the running back positions, the Wolverines return Drew Johnston (5-6, 180) who will line up at fullback and provide the team with power running between the tackles. Freshman Lucas Warczinsky will also see action at running back where he will showcase his playmaking skills.
While Johnston feels like the team will be solid running the ball, he is also looking forward to what Warczinsky brings to the offense with his ability to keep opposing defenses off balance with his playmaking skills as a runner and a passer.
“I feel a very good strong point will be our quarterback Brehm,” Johnston said. “He’s a lefthanded quarterback and nobody really knows what he is going to do. That’s kind of nice because he is unpredictable.”
Defensively, the team has been picking up the new concepts well. A number of talented linebackers return to headline the defense. Junior Brady Stratton (5-8, 175) is back at an outside linebacker with Griffin and Johnston also returning at linebacker.
Making the transition to 11-man football has required plenty of preparation and Griffin sees the team making progress in preparing for the season.
“We really just want to get everything down going into 11-man this year,” Griffin said. “Working together will be a key for us to be successful this year and we’ve been really coming together.”
Stratton is also excited about the move back to 11-man football.
“It feels really nice being part of this team,” Stratton said, “that’s the first group since my cousin played for us to be in 11-man football. It’s a great group of kids to be moving back up with. Great teammates and really good attitudes.”
In the secondary, Brehm Warczinsky is stationed at free safety.
The Wolverines also have some solid building blocks along the front line led by sophomore Blake Rasmussen who saw extensive playing time last year as a freshman. Caudill returns to anchor the line at a defensive end position.
The Wolverines also have a pair of freshmen who will make an impact on defense in cornerback Lucas Genowski and Lucas Warczinsky who will be at outside linebacker.
“One thing that was great about moving up to 11 man is that we got to pick and choose our schedule,” Paski said. “We got a good even-playing for us. We are not playing anyone who has been dominant but teams that are fair for us to compete with. It’s going to be a nice first year getting back into 11-man.”
The home fans will also get plenty of opportunities to see the team this year as Vestaburg has six home games on the schedule kicked off with the home opener against Manton on Aug. 29. The three road games on the schedule are at Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, which is also making the move up to 11-man football this season, at Dansville and at Detroit University Prep Science and Math.
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