The coach is Large; the team is small

An alumnus has taken over the Ozaukee High School football program, and he could use a few more bodies.

The Warriors have 22 players in the program under new leader Cole Large, but that doesn’t diminish the toughness and grit that regularly defines Ozaukee football.

The Warriors went 4-4 last season and lost a first-round playoff game. They have qualified for the playoffs 10 times in the last 11 seasons.

Leading the way this season per usual is the offensive line and a dynamic three-headed rushing attack led by Jack Genzmer, who last year had 1,102 yards on 272 carries, averaging 6.4 yards per run, and nine touchdowns in eight games. He made the Big East First Team and the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Region Team.

This season, Genzmer is coming in ripped at 220 pounds.

“He’s pretty big. He hit the weight room,” Large said.

Sophomore Bret Hamm, who had 63 carries for 281 yards and three scores last season, will play a bigger role.

“He’s really going to be something. He’s come in and grown a lot over the last year,” Large said.

Two backs give the Warriors some offensive options, including in the passing game.

“Jack obviously is well known and has been a heck of a player at Ozaukee, but Bret’s a heck of an athlete with a hard-nosed running style. We’re in a great position to be able to have both guys working together in the offense,” Large said.

Senior quarterback Phil McLarty in his first year as field general provides a third running option and throws well. He maintained his mindset from playing safety last year and from the wrestling team that Large helped coach.

“He kind of brings a fearless type of attitude to the position and to the team. He’s really stepped up throughout this camp, taking charge,” Large said.

McLarty, he said, has a good arm and is a shifty runner who sees things well.

McLarty will have a few targets from which to choose, including senior tight end Braxton Gahan, a Big East Second Team selection last season. He caught nine balls for 110 yards and didn’t draw one penalty while blocking.

Gahan just received one offer to play college football, and Large likes his skill set.

“We’re fired up about what he brings to the table blocking and receiving,” he said, adding Gahan came in a better athlete after improving his speed during track season.

Sophomore Austin Lemke will back up Gahan, switching from offensive line to tight end.

“He had a high motor and gives some of the best effort on the team,” Large said.

Four-year player Jonny Melendez is another receiving option.

“He has impressed us in camp. He played really well and has taken to the offense. He wants to learn and has good hands,” Large said.

Freshman Joe Grabrowski has converted from fullback to receiver, and sophomore Wyatt Brooks may add to the passing game.

“He’s improved a ton over camp and we’re excited about his future,” Large said.

Fullbacks Blake Cocanower, a junior, and sophomore Grady Klas will provide more offensive punch. Klas was an offensive lineman in middle school.

Up front, senior Trevor Decker (6 feet, 4 inches, 224 pounds) is back after making the Big East First Team. He moved from center to guard last season and excelled.

Right tackle Zach Bell (6-1, 240) is back after making the second team.

“The offensive and defensive lines led by seniors Trevor Decker and Zach Bell are a strength of ours. The coaches are fired up about the ability and attitude those guys bring to the team,” Large said.

Sophomore Skyler Mills (6-0, 230) will play right guard after starting at tackle last season.

“He’s a heck of a competitor,” Large said.

Junior John Bellmann (5-10, 247) will play left tackle, and sophomore Kevin Diaz (5-5, 191) will start at center after playing a backup role last season.

On defense, Gahan is back at end after making the Big East First Team. He had 53 tackles — eight for losses — three sacks, one interception, one fumble and a forced fumble.

Genzmer will play the other end, and Lemke will also see time there. Decker and Mills can also rotate in as needed.

Bell, Decker, Bellmann and junior Owen Hackbarth (6-8, 340) will anchor the interior line.

Hackbarth, Large said, looked good at Friday’s scrimmage in Oshkosh against Crivitz, Iola-Scandinavia and Lourdes Academy. “He worked out a lot in the offseason and improved his flexibility and movement. He’s a kid that wants to be really good.”

Cocanower and Klas will play linebacker, and freshman Noah Harness and Mills will see time there. Hamm is an outside linebacker and is versatile enough to move to safety as needed.
Melendez, Grabrowski and sophomore Wyatt Brooks will handle the corners.

McLarty is back at safety.

“He fills holes and makes plays. Most safeties that make tackles on eight-yard runs, he’s going up and sticking it at three yards. He has great instincts,” Large said.

Large, a 2014 graduate of Ozaukee High, is still familiar with the Big East and said he expects Cedar Grove-Belgium and Reedsville to be the favorites.

While the Warriors are talented, the small number of players is “definitely a concern.”

Large is also hoping for bigger numbers in the stands. Ozaukee plays six of its nine games at home and he would love a large contingent of support, especially after the pandemic limited attendance last season.

Large, who played running back and defensive back for the Warriors, remembers how fun it was playing football, and he is still involved with the game, capturing some video for the Chicago Bears. He worked their first preseason game on Saturday and plans to attend home games this season.

Large is the second straight Bears fan to lead the Warriors. He takes over for Illinois native Michael Schatz, who spent one year as head coach before getting a teaching job in Racine, making the commute too difficult to make.

Large is also a former wrestler who earned fourth and fifth-place medals at state for the Warriors. He graduated as the leader in wins with 162 and in career and single-season takedowns.