Tag Archives: South Milwaukee football

December 31, 2015 · 7:58 pm

Giving Back, One Back-Breaking Shovel Full Of Snow At A Time

I posted this story on my Facebook page last night, and it’s blown up, with more than 500 likes, 43 shares, 39 comments and a reach of more than 14,000. I reprint it here … and repeat my thanks to these young men.

Call it another example of South Milwaukee student athlete volunteerism in action. Last night, I spoke to a local senior citizen who was concerned she would not be able to remove the snow and ice from her corner lot sidewalk. I sent Rocket football Coach Derek Hoff an email asking for help … and minutes later got a message back saying several of his players were already on the way. Jake Simuncak, Nick Honerlaw and Clayton Westrum stepped up. Really, really cool. Go Rockets, indeed.

Shoveling 1Shoveling 2

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October 5, 2015 · 4:13 pm

Need Help Raking, Or Know Someone Who Does?

The South Milwaukee football team wants to help.

From coach Derek Hoff … this is very cool.

The South Milwaukee Football team will again be volunteering our time to Rake Leaves for families or people who could truly benefit from the service.

This will take place on Sunday October 18th from 12-2:30 PM. 

All 6-12th grade boys will be traveling around South Milwaukee raking, bagging leaves, and removing them from the property.

Please sign up any families or people who may have challenges with cleaning up their yards. 

Sign up using this link. 

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October 2, 2015 · 11:01 am

It’s Rivalry Night!

smrockets2015

The South Milwaukee football team travels to Cudahy tonight, as the two teams meet for the 87th time in one of the oldest rivalries in the area. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

Rockets coach Derek Hoff wanted to share a few words on this great tradition. Coach, you have the floor …

The traditions of South Milwaukee have been a big part of our school and community.  One Tradition that was postponed in 2001 was the annual Rivalry Football game between South Milwaukee and Cudahy.  The 2 communities are separated by the dotted line on College Ave.  Both cities show great pride in their history and great pride in their grit/work ethic.  “The Rivalry” Football game between the 2 schools is almost 100 years old and was renewed in 2009 when the Rockets won 22-21 and since the renewal have won 6 straight over the Packers.  The series now rests at 46-35-5 in favor of Cudahy.  

If you read old newspaper articles or talk to former players, coaches, teachers, and administrators you will read/hear stories of 9,000+ people attending the annual game.  You will hear stories of more $ being bet and changing hands during this week between communities… specifically employees at Ladish and Bucyrus(Caterpillar).  

My purpose for e-mailing today is that many of our students will live and stay in South Milwaukee in the future.  Many of our students will have children that we teach in future years.  This game to many is ‘just’ a game…but to those that live here, grew up here, and will live here in the future it is way more than ‘JUST A GAME’.  

This game is about Pride.  It’s symbolic for both gritty communities and for the winner each year it states “we’re tougher and work harder than you!”  It carries a lot of weight across that dotted line on College Ave.  Tonight It would mean a lot to the Sons of South Milwaukee if you would pack the stands in Cudahy and cheer on the Rockets to Victory @ 7:00 in the 87th meeting between the schools. 

See all-time rivalry records here, and for more on rivalry’s history, click here.

Go Rockets!

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September 28, 2015 · 6:46 am

Big Play, Big Win Sends Rockets To 4-2 Record

It was the kind of play that defines seasons — and might send the South Milwaukee football team to the WIAA playoffs.

The play: A double reverse pass from wide receiver Daijon McCoy to quarterback Jake Simuncak for an 81-yard touchdown in the Rockets’ 35-14 win over Brown Deer on Friday.

Check out the play here. It was beautiful to witness, and the start of a great game for Simuncak and the Rockets. In addition to the reception in the in the opening moments, Jake finished with 188 yards passing, including touchdowns of 75 and 41 yards to Lawrence Turner, as the Rockets moved to 4-2 with the annual rivalry game at Cudahy set for Friday.

The play is also up for Time Warner Cable’s Play of the Week award.

Twitter and Facebook users should use the hashtag #TopPlaysWI and @TWCSportsWI when sharing or retweeting the South Milwaukee play. In doing so, it will increase the chances of it winning the award.

From the TWC website …

The Time Warner Cable SportsChannel Play of the Week promotion recognizes the best plays from our coverage of high school football this fall. We’ll select a winner every week, which will advance to the Play of the Year contest at the end of the regular season. Find out which play comes out on top every week at halftime of the following week’s games on TWC SportsChannel. Along with bragging rights, the Play of the Week winners will have a shot at the $1,000 Play of the Year Grand Prize that will be awarded to the athletic department of the school that executed the winning play. Watch ‘em… Tweet ‘em… Blow ‘em up! Tell us which play you think is best. Who knows, it could end up being our Play of the Year!

Watch the TWC replay of the game here.

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September 23, 2015 · 10:30 pm

Big Kickoff To Rocketober: Homecoming Weekend

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Fire

Go Rockets!

Join me as we kick off Rocketober with Homecoming festivities this weekend – starting with the return of the Homecoming parade, pep rally and bonfire Thursday night.

The parade starts at 6 p.m. and runs from the corner of 15th Avenue and Maple Street north to Oak Creek Parkway, where the pep rally and bonfire will take place at the baseball diamond.

Then it’s game time on Friday, as South Milwaukee hosts Brown Deer at 7 p.m. at Spaltholz Field.

Be sure to get to 15th Avenue and cheer on the school and other local organizations taking part in the parade. (And look for me and my family in the fire truck.)

Also on the Rocketober calendar this weekend is …

  • Friday: Yachtoberfest at the South Milwaukee Yacht Club
  • Sunday: South Milwaukee Fall Festival of Food Trucks

Check out a full Rocketober schedule here … and be sure to check out these great community events.

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August 28, 2015 · 9:14 am

Rocket Update: Volleyball Success, Football Game Tonight, And More

From the Ante Udovicic and the South Milwaukee School District …

GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL

The Rockets started off their season with a bang last night by capturing their first ever Rocket Quad championship with a victory over Heritage Christian to clinch it! The Rockets travel to Wauwatosa West tomorrow for a varsity invitational. It was an exciting finish. Way to go Rockets!

FOOTBALL

The Rockets started off the season on August 20th with a 31-0 victory over Milwaukee Morse Marshall. Senior Joey Nelson caught 2 TD passes from sophomore Flynt Kocherer and the Rocket defense only allowed 56 yards of offense in the game. Sophomores Mua Vang and Joel Reyes each had a rushing TD and senior Chuks Ozodi recorded 2 safeties for the Rockets!

TONIGHT the Rockets are at home to take on West Allis Hale at 7:00pm at Spaltholz Field. You can see some more information at the following link to a great JS article. 

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/preps/south-milwaukee-football-player-battling-cancer-to-take-the-field-b99565357z1-323173941.html?page=1

PREPS PLUS TEAM OF THE WEEK

The Rocket Football team will be featured as the Preps Plus Team of the Week on Sunday night! The program is scheduled to air on TMJ4 at 11:00pm on Sunday, August 30 so set your DVR’s or watch the program live. Congratulations Rockets!

GIRLS’ TENNIS

The Rockets started off the Woodland Conference season with a 5-2 dual meet victory at Whitnall! This avenged a tight 3-4 loss a week earlier in the Rocket Invitational. Nice work ladies!

BOYS’ SOCCER

In their first match, the Rockets faced a good Franklin team and matched them evenly and finished with a 2-2 tie. Senior Burim Huseini and junior Sam Nunez scored the 2 goals for the Rockets and new goalkeeper senior Alec Randow started his first soccer match in goal and did a great job. The Rockets compete in the Cudahy Invitational on Saturday with their first match at 10:30am against Whitnall and second match at noon against Greenfield.

Good luck this weekend Rockets!

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April 15, 2015 · 9:38 pm

Support Three Former Rocket Football Stars, And Children’s Hospital

The accolades keep pouring for the 2014 South Milwaukee football team … and they also need your help.

Here is a note from Rockets Coach Derek Hoff …

On behalf of the South Milwaukee Football Program I want to again congratulate Mitchell Dess and Calvin Shilling on their selection to the All-Star game.  As previously noted only 2 players from each school are allowed to be nominated… HOWEVER, I had nominated 3 knowing that many D1 scholarship players aren’t allowed to play in the game.  So, now I am VERY VERY proud to announce that South Milwaukee Football will have 3 representatives as IAN PRIBYL has also been selected to the South All-Star Team!  

 With this selection to the All-Star team these athletes are required to raise $money$ for the Children’s Hospital.  The athletes are not raising any money for themselves, they are simply representing the Children’s Hospital.  I’m sure all of you have had some experience at Children’s Hospital that means a great deal to you or someone close to you.  Personally my family has been positively impacted by Children’s as my younger sister was born with a hole in her heart and had surgery and care there when she was just 8 months old. 

Calvin and Mitchell are having a fundraiser at Mulligan’s Pub and Grill in Franklin, WI on 27th Street on Tuesday April 21st from 11AM-10PM.  Upon arrival there will be representatives handing out Mini-Football signs supporting children’s hospital.  If you turn one of those footballs in with your bill 10% will go towards children’s on behalf of Calvin and Mitchell.  There will also be some raffle prizes available as well.  

There is also a Dual Track meet that evening at Oak Creek High if you want to come support the boys as they compete in their spring sport.  

If you wish to make a direct contribution to anyone of these 3 athletes please contact:

 Congratulations again to these 3 athletes as they will represent the ROCKETS on TV Saturday July 18th @ 5:00 in Oshkosh, WI at TITAN STADIUM.  

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February 5, 2015 · 5:34 pm

College Bound: Pribyl, Dess, Polak Make Their Choices

Wednesday was National Signing Day for college football programs, and at least three Rockets are headed to the next level (and probably more).

Two of them are headed to programs who played in national championship games last season.

From South Milwaukee football coach Derek Hoff …

6’2” 225lb South Milwaukee linebacker/running back Ian Pribyl has signed his letter of intent to play college football at the University of Minnesota State-Mankato. After being highly recruited all over the Midwest by Division I & II schools Ian decided to take the scholarship offer from the Mavericks! He will join fellow Rocket alum Bryan Honerlaw on the Mankato football team. This opportunity for Ian was made possible by his own individual hard work, the success of his team, and effort by his teammates!

Other teammates making commitments on National Signing Day we’re All-State WR Mitchell Dess, who will be playing at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and all-conference performer Jacob Polak to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Still pondering their decision of where to play are all-conference performers Calvin Shilling, Justin Oliden and Dom Parello.

For more news on Rocket Football follow @CoachHoff1 on Twitter or visit www.southmilwaukeefootball.org.

Congratulations to all of these boys. The City of South Milwaukee is behind them!

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November 25, 2014 · 9:29 am

Rocket Sports Update: Boys’ Basketball Season Opens, Food Drive Planned, Alumni Update

From the South Milwaukee School District …

The Rocket boys’ basketball teams open up their season tonight at Oak Creek.

  • 4:00pm – SM @ OC – freshman Boys’ BB
  • 5:30pm – SM @ OC – JV Boys’ BB
  • 7:15pm – SM @ OC – Varsity Boys’ BB

Please see the this poster from the OC National Honor Society for the food drive they are doing. Their goal is to collect at least 100 boxes of cereal, so if you are going to the games, please try to bring a box of cereal. Any non-perishable food will be accepted, however, every box of cereal you bring will earn a raffle ticket for a halftime drawing (during Varsity) for gift cards.

TREVOR STAUNER (Class of 2012)

Trevor Stauner was a standout 3-year varsity linebacker (Honorable Mention All-State as a senior) and All-Woodland running back for the Rockets as they started their playoff streak in 2009. Trevor has continued to stand out as a collegiate football player and was named 2nd Team All-IIAC,  He is #1 in the IIAC for total tackles and he is also ranked #9 for total tackles in the NCAA for all Division III Football.

CHAD SADOWSKI (Class of 2012)

Chad was also a standout All-Woodland Safety for the Rockets as they began their football playoff streak. Chad was also a starting LB this year for Dubuque and he recorded 13 tackles in the first 2 games of the season before sustaining an injury. Here is a link to the team page:

http://www.dbq.edu/athletics/mens/football/

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October 18, 2014 · 2:25 pm

Road To State: South Milwaukee Gets #3 Seed, Home Game In Playoffs

It’s #3 South Milwaukee vs. #6 Waterford in the first round of the WIAA playoffs this Friday night.

Pairings were announced Saturday. Check them out here. Here is a bracket.

Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Spaltholz Field.

A potential second-round game with #2 seed Waukesha West would be next, with top-seeded Greendale looming. Greendale beat South Milwaukee, 42-7, Friday night. Here is Milwaukee Journal Sentinel coverage.

Learn more about Waterford, which is 6-3 after four straight wins and a shutout victory over Delavan-Darien this week, here.

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October 15, 2014 · 7:26 pm

Ready For Some Football? I Am

From South Milwaukee Athletic Director Ante Udovicic, who rightfully calls Thursday night’s game against Greendale “one of the biggest games in school history” …

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL IN SOUTH MILWAUKEE

On Thursday, the 8-0 Rockets will be hosting the 8-0 Greendale Panthers in the Woodland Conference Championship game. The game will be broadcast on Time Warner Cable 32 (1332 in HD) with a 7:05pm kickoff, so for those within a 50 mile radius, set your DVR’s to record it and make sure to come on out to the game! You do not want to miss out on the event that this game will be. It is with no exaggeration when I say that this is one of the biggest games in school history!! We need everyone who can possibly come out and cheer the Rockets on! Let’s show the state how great our home field advantage is, how much spirit we have and how much support we have for our kids!

Unlike last year’s game when as visitors many of you were surprised to see higher ticket prices, we are not raising tickets prices!

So once again, come on out to Spalholtz Field and hopefully join the rest of the City of South Milwaukee in cheering on your Rockets to the Woodland Conference Championship.

OCTOBER 10 RECAP

The Rocket Football team traveled to Pewaukee on Friday night with a 7-0 record on the year. After lighting up the scoreboard, the Rockets left Pewaukee with an 8-0 record and a 56-41 victory!

While Pewaukee put up a lot of points, the defense stood strong when it needed to and if it weren’t for a couple of trick/fluke plays, I could argue that we could have won by 35 points. Joey Nelson (11) led the way with 14 tackles (and a 56 yard TD reception as well!). Mitchell Dess (12) had 6 passes defended and an interception. Chuks Ozodi (11) had 8 tackles and Calvin Shilling (12) and Robbie Fields (12) had 7 tackles each. 

Justin Oliden (12) was on fire and was 15-21 for 397 yards (a school record) and 5 TD’s passing. He also had 15 carries for 50 yards and a TD rushing. 397 yards is almost certainly one of the top 5 biggest passing days in Woodland history as well. Justin now has 1521 yds passing, good enough for 20th best in the state. His 21 TD’s passing is good enough to tie for 9th in the state!

Ian Pribyl (12) had another monster game as well finishing with 30 carries for 175 yards and 2 TD’s raising his rushing total to 1214 yards on the season, good enough for 19th best in the state. His 19 TD’s rushing is good enough to tie for 11th best in the state as well.

Mitchell Dess (12) had one of the best receiving nights in STATE history. Mitchell had 10 receptions for 317 yards and 4 TD’s including a remarkable catch while essentially being hit and spun into a backflip in the back of the end zone. The 317 yards is good enough to rank 3rd all-time in WIAA Football history!!! Mitchell’s 928 yards receiving is 2nd best in the state! His 14 TD’s receiving is tied for the most in the state!!!

VOTE OLIDEN!

Rocket Senior Quarterback Justin Oliden has been nominated for the AIR NATIONAL GUARD Wisconsin High School Football Player of the Week.

Click the Link Below to vote!

 http://www.wissports.net/news_article/show/435595?referrer_id=532452

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October 4, 2014 · 6:45 pm

Big Homecoming Win — And Another Conference Title — For South Milwaukee

Lucky 7-0 … and a third straight Woodland East Conference championship.

Not a bad Homecoming for the South Milwaukee football team, which rolled to a 42-0 victory over Cudahy on Friday at Spaltholz Field.

The offense continued to dominate, racking up 273 yards on the ground. Ian Pribyl ran 16 times for 152 yards and two touchdowns, and quarterback Justin Oliden had 11 carries for 124 yards and two scores, including a 72-yard second-quarter TD run. The Rocket defense held the Packers to 188 yards of total offense.

Now come two huge challenges for the Rockets — two Woodland West “crossover” games against powers Pewaukee and Greendale. First, it’s at Pewaukee this Friday at 7 p.m., and then South Milwaukee hosts Greendale on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m.

Then it’s WIAA playoff time. Bring it on!

Let’s keep the perfect season going.

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September 27, 2014 · 7:51 am

Rockets Roll Again, Move To 6-0 With Homecoming Vs. Cudahy Next

The Homecoming Parade returns on Thursday, and there will be plenty to celebrate.

The South Milwaukee football team moved to 6-0 with a 50-7 victory over Shorewood Messmer on Friday. And the stats for the high-powered Rockets continue to impress, with South Milwaukee racking up 544 yards of offense in the Woodland Conference East victory.

Quarterback Justin Oliden led the way, completing 9 of 13 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns and running for 133 yards and two more scores. Ian Pribyl rushed 21 times for 187 yards and three touchdowns.

Check out video highlights from WISN here.

And be sure to check out the festivities Thursday, with the parade starting at 6, followed by a pep rally and bonfire. The parade starts near 15th and Rawson and heads north on 15th to the school.

The Homecoming game against Cudahy kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday.

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September 20, 2014 · 10:13 am

Dominating: South Milwaukee Football Team Moves To 5-0 With Big Win Over Greenfield

Update: NOW has a feature on the 5-0 Rockets.

In a battle for the top of the Woodland Conference, it wasn’t much of a contest.

South Milwaukee rolled past Greenfield, 42-7, Friday night at Spaltholz Field to move to 5-0.

The stats are impressive …

Ian Pribyl had 220 yards rushing and three touchdowns, and Justin Oliden completed 15 of 19 passes for 185 yards, three touchdowns — two to Mitchell Dess — and no interceptions.

Check out some highlights from WISN here, and follow the team on its website.

Just three more regular-season games remain before the Rockets roll into the WIAA playoffs.

Next up: at Shorewood this Friday night.

Then it’s Homecoming on Friday, Oct. 3, against Cudahy — the official kickoff to Rocketober!

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September 6, 2014 · 9:35 am

Crazy Good: Rockets Move To 3-0 In A Thriller At Brown Deer

“It was definitely the craziest, most fun game I’ve ever played in my life.”

Four lead changes, four ties and 1,065 yards of total offense. Decided on the final play. Not a bad night, as the South Milwaukee football team moved to 3-0 with a 41-35 victory over Brown Deer on Friday.

Justin Oliden completed 17 of 25 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns, including two to Mitchell Dess, who had eight catches for 115 yards. Running back Ian Pribyl — who uttered the quote above in the front-page story in this morning’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel — had 177 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

Next up: The Rockets host Whitnall this Friday. Here is the schedule.

Let’s keep it going!

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