NIAGARA – A year ago, Ben Laarman was trying to build a foundation for the Niagara High football team.
With a full season behind him, the Badgers’ second-year head coach believes that foundation is beginning to take shape.
Niagara went 4-5 in Laarman’s first season, highlighted by a rivalry win over Florence, and the program’s numbers continue to move in the right direction. After carrying 24 players last season, Niagara had 27 come out this year.
Unfortunately, two have suffered season-ending injuries over the summer, leaving 25 active players.
“Our goal is 30,” said Laarman. “It’s growth from last year, and hopefully we’ll get to that 30 target next year.”
More players mean fresher legs and more productive practices, but for Laarman, growing the roster also reflects his larger goal of making Niagara football an experience players want to be part of.
“We recruit hard and try to get kids out,” he said. “But hopefully just the experience we give the kids speaks for itself, and kids want to be part of it.”
Taking another step on the field will require Niagara to eliminate some of the mistakes that hurt it last season. Laarman pointed to turnovers and explosive plays as major factors in several losses.
Read their full season preview in the August 19 edition of the Peshtigo Times.
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