Pioneers Seek More Wins in 2023

Sevastopol football players go through a blocking drill during the Aug. 15 practice. Photo by Kevin Boneske.

After finishing 3-5 last season, with the last victory coming on Homecoming against Suring, Sevastopol’s football team has a goal to win more games in 2023.

Ron Frank returns for the Pioneers in his 25th season as a head football coach. His list of top returning players includes senior running back/defensive end Alex Andreae, who made the Peninsula Conference’s first team as a defensive lineman and received honorable mention as a running back; senior quarterback/defensive end Frankie de Young; senior right guard Jaydon Terhardt; and junior end/running back/linebacker Michael Wautlet.

Gone to graduation are Logan Retzlaff, who made the Peninsula Conference’s first team as a punter and was on the second team as an offensive end and placekicker; Mason Bosman, who received honorable mention as an offensive lineman; and Ben Roman, who made the second team as a defensive lineman. Retzlaff also received All-State honorable mention in eight-player football as a punter.

Frank said team depth and speed are strengths this season, while the amount of size on the line is a weakness.

He said line play is what he is the most concerned about this season, when he will be looking forward to utilizing team speed.

Frank said the teams he expects to be Sevastopol’s top opponents this season are Peninsula foes Algoma and Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas.

The Pioneers open their season at home Aug. 24 with a nonconference game against Valley Christian and will also host the conference opener Aug. 31 against Gillett.

Sevastopol closes out its eight-game regular season Oct. 12 with a Peninsula Conference matchup in Fish Creek against Gibraltar.

Player Expectations

With a roster of more than 30 that has a mix of returning players with others first joining the team this year, the Pioneers have their sights set on a winning season.

de Young, who is slotted as the starting quarterback, said he’d like to see Sevastopol at least double the number of victories it had last year.

He is one of five seniors on this year’s team, along with Andreae, Terhardt, tight end Oliver Mathews and cornerback Drake Olsen.

2023 Pioneers Football Schedule

All games start at 7 pm.

Aug. 24 Home vs. Valley Christian

Aug. 31 Home vs. Gillett

Sept. 8 Away vs. Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas

Sept. 15 Away vs. Oneida Nation/NEW Lutheran

Sept. 22 Home vs. Wausaukee

Sept. 29 Away vs. Suring

Oct. 6 Home vs. Algoma

Oct. 12 Away vs. Gibraltar