Depth charge: Port has numbers

Numbers are up for the Port Washington High School football team this season, including where it matters most.

Six of the Pirates’ seven all-conference players are back, and Port has about 24 seniors in the 80-member program.

That’s 20 more seniors than last year’s four.

“That’s some good depth,” coach John Bunyan said.

One of Port’s big returning weapons is the coach’s son Michael, a 6 feet, 3-inch, 220-pound senior who made the East Central first team at tight end and defensive end last year.

At tight end, Bunyan made 13 catches on fades, slants and balls across the middle for 146 yards and was a key blocker in a five-game season shortened by the pandemic.

This season, his father plans to split Michael out wide on some plays, as well as closer to the tackle.

At defensive end, Bunyan made 34 tackles, had a fumble recovery, defended a pass, blocked a punt and made a diving tackle for a safety.

The young Bunyan received offers from Division 1 schools and has committed to the Air Force Academy.

One of Port’s other returning leaders is senior Patrick Lippe, who made the East Central Conference first team as a defensive back and second team as a wide receiver last season.

Lippe made 41 tackles and had a fumble recovery and an interception last year. Lippe will play safety again this season.

As a wideout, he caught 25 passes for 265 yards and had 162 yards rushing and a touchdown on 28 attempts. Bunyan said Lippe will continue to get the ball on jet sweeps and in the passing game.

Lippe is also in the mix to return punts and kicks again. The multiple positions are the same ones played by his older brother Jake, now a receiver for North Dakota State. Patrick is garnering college interest as well.

At quarterback, junior Nate Uselding returns after starting as a sophomore. He earned all-conference honorable mention recognition after going 62-for-96 passing (64.6%) for 590 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. He also ran for 32 yards and a score.

“He’s throwing the ball really well. Nate is going to have a really good year,” Bunyan said in referencing Uselding’s performance in Friday’s scrimmage against Kohler/Sheboygan Lutheran/Christian, Oconto and Madison Edgewood.

At running back, senior Brady Fleischmann is a “bigger back who runs real hard” and junior Lleyton Allen is back after filling in for injured speedster Nate Kasdorf before sustaining his own injury. Allen had 73 carries for 171 yards and two scores.

Senior Marcus Phillips will also see time running the ball.

Besides Lippe, senior Eli Perez and junior Matt Esselmann will catch passes.

“We’ve got some really good depth and some really good speed,” Bunyan said.

Michael Bunyan will be backed up by 6-4 Ryan Burmesch, who can also play wideout.

Up front, the entire line returns, aside from East Central second-teamer Landon Mitchell, who tore his ACL in summer.

Senior Keegan Szydel (6-1, 265 pounds), a three-year varsity starter who earned EC honorable mention recognition, is at right tackle. Port ran behind Szydel often last year, using his ability to get to the linebacker.

Everado Armendariz (5-11, 250), a three-year varsity player, is at left tackle, and senior Landon Reisimer (5-9, 210) is back playing center.

Senior Nolan Voeller (6-0, 215) is back at left guard and sophomore Casey Arndt (6-2, 275) will play right guard. Despite his size, coach Bunyan said, he has “really good feet.”

The Pirates hope to move the ball both ways.

“Obviously, if you’re running the football you’re doing very, very well,” Bunyan said. “With our speed and skill, we’ll be able to throw more than in the past.”

On the defensive line, senior Mason Riha (5-10, 300) is back playing nose tackle after making 20 tackles and the EC second team last season. Brandyn Kassenes (6-1, 215) and Nick Bensen (6-0, 185) will play defensive tackle.

Armendariz and senior Carlos Pena (5-10, 190) will rotate in.

Senior J.D. Brahm is back at linebacker after making the EC second team. He had 52 tackles, a sack and an interception last year.

“He looked really good at the scrimmage,” Bunyan said.

Michael Bunyan can fall back to linebacker as well, and seniors River Howell and Flint O’Connor and junior Cael Eernisse will see time there.

Esselmann and speedy Ja’Quel Miller will be the Pirates’ cornerbacks. Senior Gavin Borth will also get on the field, and Perez can play corner, coach Bunyan said.

Lippe will play strong safety and junior Peyton Anderson will fill in.

Lippe, Perez, Miller and Allen will return kicks and punts.

Esselmann is the kicker and Anderson is the punter. Esselmann can also punt, and Lippe can kick.

With the Pirates returning so many players, the team started faster this season with fewer simple mistakes in the scrimmage than in the past.

“I think our kids are locked in. They’re excited. We’re prepared,” Bunyan said. “They’re accountable to each other.”

Depth and speed are two of the Pirates’ big advantages.

“We’re really conscious of trying to get as many kids as we can on the field,” Bunyan said.

Port went 1-4 last seasonm 1-3 in the EC. Plymouth (5-0) won the conference and Bunyan expects the Panthers to be strong again. Sheboygan Falls, 3-1 and in second place, lost nearly 25 seniors but will be prepared, and Bunyan expects Kewaskum to be formidable as well.
Port starts the season by renewing its rivalry with Cedarburg, which remains in the North Shore Conference. The silver sailboat, the traveling trophy between the two teams, hangs in the balance.