Story originally printed in the Tomah Journal or online at www.tomahjournal.com
Published - Friday, July 25, 2008
Butzler, Ludeking play key roles in North's All-Star victory
There were supposed to be two players for every position on both teams at Saturday’s Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Star game at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
However, Tyler Butzler’s backup got food poisoning. So instead of the time-shares that are typical for most all-star games, Butzler got to play four quarters of intense football.
Butzler played all but two series for the North team, which held on to defeat the South, 28-26, at Titan Stadium. He and Trevor Ludeking represented Tomah High School in an annual contest that features the state’s best high school seniors from last season.
Ludeking, who will play football at UW-La Crosse this fall, had a standout game at middle linebacker. He had two tackles (one for a loss) and grabbed a second quarter interception.
Butzler, a UW-Stout football recruit, anchored the right offensive tackle position and led an offensive line that cleared the way for 243 rushing yards. He said it didn’t take long to get back into football shape.
“The first practice on Monday was tough, but after a week of two-a-days and the adrenaline that was pumping once we started playing, it wasn’t that hard,” Butzler said.
The North, which had just six offensive linemen, took a 28-12 lead into the fourth quarter but had to withstand a late South rally that included two touchdowns in the last three minutes, 48 seconds. The second touchdown came with 49 seconds left, but the North repelled the two-point conversion to seal the win.
Ludeking’s interception led to the North’s third touchdown. He picked off a pass at the 50-yard line, and North cashed in with a 7-play drive that ended with a touchdown and a 21-6 lead.
It wasn’t clear whether Ludeking would even play. He reinjured his hamstring on the first day of practice but returned to practice later in the week. The injury prevented him from handling the North’s kickoff duties.
Butzler said teamwork was the difference for the North team.
“I thought the difference was how we came together as a team,” Butzler said. “We got along with each other and hung out with each other during the week. I just think we played as a team.”
He also gave credit to the coaching staff, led by Chris O’Donnell of Eau Claire Regis.
“The coaches were really excited and did a good job of getting us pumped up,” Butzler said. “It was a ton of fun.”
The event is a fund raiser for the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, and players got to visit the patients.
“It’s kind of emotional when you get to know the kids,” said Ludeking after spending time with a young girl. “We played catch with her and took pictures, and she had a big smile on her face. The game is the big thing, but the fund-raising is the most important thing we did.”
Todd Sommerfeldt of Lee Newspapers contributed to this report.
All stories copyright 2006 Tomah Journal and other attributed sources.