Monday was the first day of Wisconsin high school football, the Northwestern Tigers hit the field with big expectations following their 10-2 season.

“We’ll see when there are higher expectations on us how we perform,” said Jovin Kroll, Northwestern’s head coach. “So in some ways it’s easier when you’re hunting. I think this team is going to be hunted a little bit. Most of our opponents will have this game circled on their schedule. So getting up for every week is key because sometimes you get in those barn burner football games and next week you’re a little sleepy. Learning to continually rise up for that bell is a big part of this.”

Kroll also added the run-heavy Tigers may just switch some things up offensively this year, utilizing weapons like Boden Teal, a senior wide receiver committed to Dordt University.

“I feel like it’s a weight lifted off my shoulders a little bit, but it means I can just focus more on just high school, getting all the college stuff out of the way, and just focus on school,” said Teal.

“It’s comfortable that you’ve got options everywhere to just throw it or hand the ball off or anything. You’ve got everybody there,” shared senior quarterback Logan Jones.

The Tigers take on Chippewa Falls in a scrimmage on August 16th, but game one of the revenge season comes on August 23rd at home against Prescott.

The biggest revenge game; September 13th against St. Croix Falls, who knocked them out of the playoffs last season.