August 25th, 2008 Article Part 1, Article Part 2 - MENOMINEE — An improbable sprint to the end zone by Neal “Rolling Thunder” Weddel and a pay dirt pounce by “Touchdown Tommy” Emmes added a defensive flourish to an M&M Timberjacks’ scoring frenzy and shutout Saturday afternoon.
     The Timberjacks hiked their Wisconsin State Football League record to 3-1 with a 60-0 thumping of the first-year Kettle Moraine Titans.
     Unlike the Timberjacks, who advanced to the playoffs in their debut season last year, the Titans have been overmatched in their first season. Kettle Moraine, which spent much of the game trying to get the right number of players on the field, has been outscored 169-0 in three losses. 
     “60 points. I’ll never complain about that,” said coach Joe Plautz. “I was very pleased with the way we ran   the ball. We must have had 400 yards. We had a very good play by our line today.” 
     The M&M team scored on five of its first six possessions in the first half to build a 34-0 halftime lead.     
     Kettle Moraine managed to cross the midfield stripe just three times, with its deepest drive ending at the Timberjacks’ 39.
     Aric Chaltry’s interception on the third play of the game set up a 6-yard scoring run by Randy Hoheneder.   
      Joel Wortner and Emmes buried the Titans for a 6-yard loss on Kettle Moraine's next series and Zak Shutte beat the Titans to the outside two plays later on his way to a 48-yard scoring burst. Matt DeGrand’s PAT gave the T-Jacks a 14-0 lead.
     Shutte burned the Titan corner again for a 21-yard score and he added the kick with 1:59 left in the first period. 
      A 17-yard pass from Hoheneder to Wortner followed by a roughing the passer flag set up a 7-yard scoring blast up the gut by Dan Ries on the T-Jacks’ first drive of the second quarter. 
     Hoheneder sparked the Timberjacks’ fifth touchdown when he sprinted past the confused Titans for a 29-yard gain. Kettle Moraine was left grasping at air as Shutte broke loose again for a 47-yard scoring dash, with some great downfield blocking by Dale Svoboda, but a penalty wiped out the TD. The Timberjacks buried the penalty in the Spies Field dust on the next play as Hoheneder made a lace popping cutback to his left en route to a 44-yard touchdown run. Shutte’s PAT hiked the margin to 34-0 with 3:24 left in the half. 
     Plautz was impressed by the intensity his team showed against an inferior opponent. “They’re a new team. It wasn’t the same atmosphere as Fox Valley, but we played hard,” said Plautz. 
     The halftime break didn’t provide much relief for the Titans as Hoheneder stiff armed a Titan defender and sprinted 34 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the third period.
     After the defense stopped the Titans on a fourth-and-12 at the 48, a 24-yard burst by Shutte set the stage for his 15-yard touchdown blast up the middle. Hoheneder’s kick boosted the lead to 47-0.
     With the mercy-rule clocking ticking away, the defense got in on the scoring fun. Weddel, slipping off the defensive line and into the middle linebacker slot, snared a Ben Boettcher pass and rumbled 23 yards into the end zone. 
     “I’m happy for Neal. That was a great play,” Plautz said.
     On the next Titans’ possession, Aaron Hodgins put a body slam on Boettcher as he dropped his arm back and forced the ball to squirt out. The ball wobbled into the end zone after a mad chase by Titans and Timberjacks and Emmes pounced on it for his first touchdown since youth football.
     “That was pretty much a present,” Emmes said with a grin.
     Kettle Morraine did manage to get some decent yardage with plays up the middle, something that concerned the M&M coaching staff. 
     Hoheneder rushed for a season-high 167 yards on 11 carries and scored three TDs as the Timberjacks piled up 403 yards on the ground on just 31 carries. Shutte burned the Titans for 159 yards and three TDs on just seven carries. 
     Eric Krautkramer led the defense with 11 tackles.

August 22nd, 2008 Article -  MENOMINEE — The Kettle Moraine Titans have started out like the Titanic in their first two Wisconsin State Football League games.
     The Titans may keep taking on water Saturday when they visit the M&M Timberjacks in a 4 p.m. game.
     After being blasted by league-leading Fox Valley Force 69-0 in their opener, the Titans were blitzed 40-0 by the Vipers. Kettle Moraine had a bye last week to regroup. 
     Prospects for the Titans reaching paydirt for the first time against a nasty T-Jack defense aren’t good. The M&M team has allowed a combined total of just 28 points against the Force and Oostburg, two of the most explosive teams in the league.

M&M Timberjacks (2-1) vs. Kettle Moraine Titans (0-2)
Saturday, 4 p.m. at Spies Field

Submerged Titans: Kettle Moraine has been outscored 109-0 in its first two games.
TimberJacks: Ready to break out offensively against a porous Titan team.

Leading Rushers: Timberjacks — Randy Hoheneder 51-229 yards, 4.5 per carry, No. 2 in league; Dan Ries 46-158, No. 5 in league; Zak Shutte 14-109, 7.8 avg. Titans — Kirk Jimmerson 5-18 

Passing: Timberjacks — Hoheneder 13-29-334 yards, 45 percent, 4 TD, 2 INT. Titans — Chad Schunelle 6-17-47, 35 percent, 0 TD, 2INT 

Defense: Timberjacks — Jim Ahrndt 13 tackles, 1 forced fumble; Alfonso Smith 12 tackles, two pass deflections; Joel Wortner 10 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 touchdown; Aric Chaltry 8 tackles, 2 sacks.

August 20th, 2008 Article - After lighting up the scoreboard in the early portion of the year, the M & M Timberjacks found points to be hard to come by. Especially in the late goings, despite attempting a 23-yard field goal with less than two minutes to play. The Timberjacks were knocked off by defending league champion Fox Valley, 14-13, after missing a short field goal. 
     It was a battle of two teams that will likely finish next to each other atop the league standings, as the sophomore-seasoned Timberjacks have established themselves as a team to not be taken lightly. 
     On a stormy, rainy night which saw weather delays and dark clouds, the Timberjacks narrowly missed giving their home crowd a sensational performance. Zak Shutte continued his solid -display of speed, as he caught a 48-yard pass for a score from Aric Chaltry. 
     After Fox Valley scored a pair of touchdowns to take a 14-7 lead, the T'Jacks responded when Jim Ahrndt forced a fumble on a pass attempt, and Joel Wortner scooped it up and raced 60 yards for the score. 
     The Timberjacks decided to go for two (with the same score and hoping for the same outcome as the game against Oostburg), but failed. They did get the ball back and march down inside the Fox Valley 10, but penalties and the errant field goal try ended their hopes for victory. 
     Randy Hoheneder had 20 carries for 91 yards, while also intercepting a pair of passes defensively. 
     Alfonso Smith and Neal Weddel each had seven tackles to lead a strong defensive effort. The Timberjacks will be at home again this Saturday at 4 p.m. against the Kettle Moraine Titans. 

August 18th, 2008 Article Part 1, Article Part 2 - MENOMINEE — “We’re going to prove something tonight,” an M&M Timberjacks player said as his team broke the team huddle for Saturday night’s showdown with the Fox Valley Force. Point proven but a gut-wrenching point short. 
     The Wisconsin State Football League defending champions dodged a last-minute drive into the red zone to escape Farmers & Merchants Bank & Trust Field with a 14-13 win. Trailing by a point with 7:50 left, the Timberjacks got the ball back on a roughing the punter flag and drove to a first down at the 8, hammering the Force with blast plays. 
     A penalty dropped the T-Jacks back to the 13. After clawing out five yards on a pair of runs, the Timberjacks faced a fourth-and-goal at just outside the five. Coach Joe Plautz opted to go for the field goal, but Randy Hoheneder’s 22-yard attempt veered to the left with 1:08 left in the game. 
     “We knew we had to go with the field goal,” said Plautz. “We’re a running team and throwing the ball we would be fighting an uphill battle. We made a lot of mistakes and had a lot of chances. We had a couple of penalties inside the 10 that just killed us.” 
     A crowd that braved ominous skies and a 30-minute weather delay was treated to a helmet-rattling battle of wills. “There were no losers in this game,” said a relieved Force offensive coach Dave Adamovich. “The fans were the winners. (The Timberjacks) have 27 players and they’re all warriors. They’re the class of the league.” The Force sprung speedy Tyler Mickelson on a trap play for a 69-yard scoring jaunt late in the first quarter, but the TD was wiped out by an illegal block. 
     The Timberjacks (2-1) capped off a six-play, 60-yard drive on their next series by catching the Fox Valley secondary on its heels. Facing a second-and-nine, Aric Chaltry rolled to his right and found Zak Shutte open on the right sideline for a 48-yard scoring bomb. Randy Hoheneder added the extra point with 2:36 left in the first period.
     The Force drove to the T-Jacks 39 on their next possession, but Joel Wortner and Ryan DeLaurelle put the wraps on the Fox Valley running game. Hoheneder connected with Wortner for a 38-yard completion as the Timberjacks marched to the 8 before Hohender’s field goal try sailed to the right. 
      Travis Fischer burned the Timberjacks for a 72-yard touchdown sprint, but Fischer’s big run came back on another clipping penalty. Hoheneder rubbed salt in the wounds of the Force when he picked off a deep pass to the Timberjacks’ 30.
     Fox Valley stuffed the TJacks on their next series and a 20-yard pass from Gary Griffin to Charles Barker re-ignited the Force’s fire. Griffin dropped back on the next play and hit a wide open Jeremy Castleberg for a 45-yard lightning bolt to cut the lead to 7-6 with 13 seconds left. Neal Weddel sacked the runner after a bad snap on the two-point try.
     Head coach Jim Sampson told his Fox Valley team, “We WILL get on the bus with a win,” as the Force took the field for the second half. Fox Valley took the mandate to heart as Mickelson tore through the middle for a big gain and a late-hit flag on the Timberjacks gave the Force a first down at the 14. Castleberg made a nifty sliding catch of a Griffin fastball for an 11-yard TD with 10:19 left in the third period. Butler leaped up and protected the ball for the reception on the conversion to give Fox Valley a 14-7 lead.  
      Fox Valley (3-0) took control at the line to ram the ball to the 15 during a 12-play drive. But the Timberjacks dug in and forced an errant field goal try by Griffin. The Timberjacks’ defense struck gold early in the fourth quarter when Jim Ahrndt barreled through a block and smeared Griffin as his arm went back to pass and jolted the ball loose. Joel Wortner picked up the loose ball in mid stride and galloped 60 yards to paydirt.
     “I still say that we have the best defense in the league,” said Plautz. “We made key stops. Kick coverage is something we have to work on.” Hoheneder got the corner on the two-point play, but Dan Van Den Wyngaard and Eric Fischer yanked him down two yards short of the goal line.  

August 15th, 2008 Article - MENOMINEE — The M&M Timberjacks chopped down one Wisconsin State Football League power in their season opener with their 15-14 road win over the Oostburg Rebels.
     The Timberjacks are sharpening their blades for a showdown with the defending WSFL champion Fox Valley Force. The Force has yet to be scored on in league play. Former Stephenson running back Brad Ruleau is a starter for the Force. 

Game: M&M Timberjacks (2-0) vs.Fox Valley Force (2-0)
Site: Spies Field
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
History: The Force defeated the TJacks 26-7 in Appleton and 19-12 at Spies Field last year. The Timberjacks have outscored their first two WSFL opponents by a 54-21margin. The Force have walloped their first two opponents 85-0. 

Timberjacks Rushing Leaders: 
Dan Ries 31-114, 3.7 avg.  
Randy Hoheneder 31-138, 4.5 avg. (No. 3 in league) 
Zak Shutte 9-102, 11.3 avg.

Force Leading Rushers: 
Tyler Mickelson 23-122, 5.3 avg.
Gary Griffin 12-64, 5.3 avg. 
Brad Ruleau 7-62, 8.9 avg.

Passing: 
Timberjacks: Hoheneder 11-19-287 yards (58 percent), 4TD, 2 INT. 
Force: Griffin 16-31-230 (52 percent), 6TD, 0 INT.

Receiving: Timberjacks: Shutte 6-211, 35.3 avg. (No. 1 in league), 4TD. 
Force: Jeremy Castleberg 5-96, 19.2 avg.

Defense: 
Timberjacks: 
James Ahrndt 9.5 tackles 
Eric Krautkramer 8 tackles, 1 INT
Aric Chaltry 6.5 tackles.

Force: 
Derick Bielmeier 7.5 tackles
Nate Ryf 7 tackles, 2 INT. 

August 13th, 2008 Article - Mark another win in the books for the M & M Timberjacks. The sophomore season is off to a great start for the semi-pro team assembled of players essentially from right in this area.
     The T'Jacks improved their Wisconsin State Football League record to 2-0 with a 39-7 win over the Summit Stampeders Saturday, marking their home debut.
     Randy Hoheneder and Zak Shutte teamed up to have a world of a game Saturday, as the duo hooked up on a trio of touchdown strikes. Hoheneder finished with 198 yards and three passing strikes on just 5-of-7 passing, while Shutte caught four passes on the day for 161 yards and three scores, the long being a 71-yardcr from Hoheneder. Shutte also ran for 62 yards on just three carries, breaking loose for a 40-yard touchdown. Hoheneder ran the ball nine times for 45 yards, while Dan Rics and Aric Chaltry added touchdowns for the high-flying Timberjack offense. Hoheneder also connected with Joel Wortner on a 37-yard pass, and caught a pass from Ries for 36 yards.
     Eric Krautkramer led the defensive effort with eight tackles and an interception, while James Ahrndt had six tackles and Rob LaCrosse had a fumble forced and a fumble recovered. 
     The Timberjacks will be back at home this Saturday night, as the defending league champion Fox Valley Force will take the trip to Spies Field. The game will get underway under the lights at 7 pm.

August 11th, 2008 Article Part 1, Article Part 2 - MENOMINEE — Who knew the Waterfront Festival would include Saturday’s high-flying circus act? Presenting the M&M Timberjacks, the greatest show on grass. Starring Zak Shutte and Randy Hoheneder on the high wire.
     The duo connected on touchdown passes of 71, 40 and 14 yards to lead the Timberjacks to a 39-7 win over the Summitt Stampeders at Spies Field.
     The game gives the Wisconsin State Football  League competition something to think about. The ground-oriented single wing T’Jacks proved they could torch cheating defenses designed to stop the run.
     “We’re still going to live on the ground, but we’re going to take our shots this year,” Timberjacks coach Joe Plautz said. “We’re just going to be judicious about it.”
     With eight players in the box and man-to-man press  coverage, the Stampeders’ pass defense was just too inviting to pass up. On the fourth play of the game, Shutte got wide-open on a short flag route and outran the defense for a 71-yard catch. “That first one, no one came with me, and Randy made a good read,” Shutte said.
The third time the T’Jacks had the ball, they moved the ball 43 yards on five running plays to set up Shutte’s electrifying 40-yard TD run.
     Shutte had seven touches for 223 yards and four  touchdowns. He became the first 100-yard receiver in the team’s two-year history, and was awarded the game ball. 
     Eric Krautkramer’s interception snuffed the next Stampeders’ drive, but the Timberjacks fumbled the ball away at the Summit 7-yard line. 
     Jeff Polansky’s desperation shuttle pass from his own end zone avoided a safety, but a shanked 6-yard punt set up the T’Jacks at the 12-yard line.
     Three plays later, Dan Ries plunged in from 1 yard out, and the lead grew to 19-0 with 10 minutes in the half.  Another three-and-out later, the Timberjacks took over at their own 32. Shutte made a terrific over-the-shoulder catch for a 49-yard gain, and he caught a 28-yard TD pass from Hoheneder, who booted the extra point for a 26-0 lead with 5:54 in the half.
     “They were just straight bombs,” according to Shutte. “Randy put the ball up there. They were in a man. Anytime someone plays up on me, coach likes to call my number because I have the speed. Also, credit the offensive line for giving the quarterback enough time to throw the ball.”
     Ries connected with Hoheneder on a 37-yard pass to set up the team’s final score of the half. Shutte’s 14-yard TD catch capped a four-play, 72-yard drive with 1:52 in the half.
     “They load the box and they roll their corners up,” Plautz explained of his team’s passing success. “They were giving us press single safety. Zak is so darn quick and fast, we’re going to take that matchup nine timesout of 10.”
     The Timberjacks scored on their first possession of the second half to keep the clock moving due to the mercy rule. Aric Chaltry raced outside and beat the Stampeders to the corner for a 14-yard TD run with 9:57 in the third quarter. Hoheneder kicked his third extra point. 
     Summit County scored with 56.6 seconds remaining on a 28-yard pass from Polansky to Evan Vogel.
     With eight penalties for 60 yards, a lost fumble and two sacks measuring 38 yards, Plautz found plenty of room for improvement from his 2-0 team.
     “I just thought it was a real sloppy game,” Plautz said. “We made a lot of mistakes. We were able to overcome that today, but we won’t be able to do that most games. I thought after coming off a win last week, we might have had a little bit of a letdown.” 
     Krautkramer led the defense with eight tackles and the interception. Jim Ahrndt had six tackles and Chaltry four tackles. Joel Wortner, Tony Sims and Willie Cornelius each made a sack. Rob La Crosse and Wortner each forced a fumble. 
     The Timberjacks (2-0) play host to defending champion Fox Valley Force Saturday at 7 p.m. at Spies Field. 

August 6th, 2008 Article - If the M & M Timberjacks want to take the leap from playoff team to league champion, they have to take care of perennial power Oostburg. They took a step in the right direction Saturday in their Wisconsin State Football League opener, taking down the Rebels 15-14 to take the early-season advantage.
     It was a go-for-the-kill mentality that put the Timberjacks ahead in the final quarter. Facing a 4th-and-l from the Oostburg 42, the T'Jacks went for it, and scored on a 42-yard strike from Randy Hohencder to Zak Shuttc.  Down 14-13 at the time, Timberjack coach Joe Plautz decided to get brave again, going for the lead with a two-point conversion try.
     It paid off for the Timberjacks, as Hohencder found Jim Ahrndt in the end zone for the conversion try. The T'Jack defense held strong from there, as Tom Emmes recovered a fumble forced by Neal Wcddel to put the nail in the coffin. 
      It was a strong defensive effort that held the Rebel offense back throughout the contest, as leading the way defensively was Ahrndt, who had nine tackles, including two for a loss of yardage. Weddel added seven tackles and a big forced fumble, and Ryan Wortncr also had seven tackles.
     Hoheneder carried the torch offensively for the Timberjacks, as he ran 22 times for 93 yards and the lone rushing touchdown of the contest. He was also 6-for-12 passing for 89 yards and a score, but two of his passes were intercepted. Dan Ries ran the ball 17 times, but could only manage 42 yards. Shutte had six carries for 40 yards, while hauling in two passes for 50. 
     The T'Jacks will look to improve their regular season mark to 2-0 when they host the Summit Stampcdcrs on Saturday at 1 p.m. al Spies Field.

August 4th, 2008 Article Part 1, Article Part 2 - OOSTBURG, Wis. — It’s a new season in the Wisconsin State Football League and the M&M Timberjacks knocked off an old nemesis in their thrilling season opener Saturday.
     Facing one of the premier teams in the league, the Timberjacks ground out a 15-14 come-from-behind win over Oostburg on the Rebels’ home turf.
     “That’s why I love football,” coach Joe Plautz exclaimed. “That was a great game by both teams. That’s why I got into coaching.”
     The second-year Timberjacks became the first team in  the eight-year history of the Rebels to shut them down without a rushing touchdown.
     “There was a lot of defense going on,” said Plautz. “Our character was really tested. It showed the team chemistry we have.”
     The Rebels picked off a pass on the Timberjacks’ first possession and went to the airway for a touchdown pass to take a 6-0 lead.
     The Timberjacks failed to convert twice inside the 10-yard line as the two teams battled to a defensive draw into the fourth period.
      The Timberjacks finally opened some seams for their running game as Randy Hoheneder and Dan Ries hammered the ball downfield.
     Hoheneder capped off the determined 68-yard march with a 1-yard plunge to tie the game with nine minutes left. Hoheneder’s PAT gave the Timberjacks the lead.
     The Rebels promptly returned the ensuing kick to midfield. Three minutes later, Oostburg struck again through the air for a go-ahead TD pass and converted the two-point play to go up 14-7. 
     Oostburg forced the Timberjacks into a fourth-and-three at the Oostburg 42. With the Rebels thinking run, Plautz called for a fly pattern.  Hoheneder lofted a pass to Zak Shutte, who pulled it in for a 42-yard scoring strike with six minutes left.
     With the score 14-13, Plautz opted to go for two. “I just felt good about the play and I wanted to get the lead on their home field,” he explained.  While Shutte pulled a defensive back with him, Ahrndt veered to the back corner of the end zone and broke free to snare the game-winning pass from Hoheneder.  “It was a real quick pass and Ahrndt was wide open,” said Plautz.
     Oostburg battled back again with another good  kick return, but Neal Weddel forced a fumble and Tom Emmes pounced on it to end the Rebel threat.
     The Timberjacks ran the clock down to 45 seconds and then registered a pair of sacks to clinch the huge win.
     “We made mistakes, but we overcame them. I feel  this is the start of something for us,” said Plautz.
     Oostburg knocked the Timberjacks out of the playoffs last year.
     Hoheneder rushed for 93 yards on 22 carries and scored a touchdown, and he connected on six of 12 passes for 89 yards. Hoheneder had two passes picked off. Ries hammered his way to 42 yards on 17 carries and Shutte had 40 yards on six carries and caught two passes for 50 yards. Ahrndt had two catches for 19 yards.
     Ahrndt had nine tackles, three solos, two tackles for a  loss, and he blocked a punt to lead the T-jack defense. Neal Weddel had seven tackles, forced a fumble and had a tackle for a loss, Joel Wortner had six tackles, and three solos, Ryan Wortner had seven tackles and Adam Buyarski had 1 1/2 sacks.
     The Timberjacks make their home debut Saturday  when they play the Summit Stampeders at 1 p.m. at Spies Field. The Stampeders lost to the River City Rattlers 28-2 Saturday.

July 29th, 2008 Article - PESHTIGO — After chopping down their two preseason opponents by a combined scored of 89-8, the M&M Timberjacks are revved up and ready to start the regular season.
     The Timberjacks crushed the Bay Area Vipers 47-0 at Peshtigo Saturday afternoon. A voracious defensive effort set the tone as the Timberjacks forced seven turnovers, also getting several standout offensive and special teams plays to help take a 40-0 lead at halftime.
     Tony Sims set up the winning TD quickly, tore through the Viper line on a bad punt snap and buried the punter at the Bay Area 18. Tailback Randy Hoheneder closed out a six-play red zone scoring drive with a two-yard run to put the home team ahead for good.
     Drew Buyarski made a spectacular shoestring of Hoheneder pass on fourth down for a 20-yard scoring  reception to push the lead to double digits, prior to Hoheneder firing a perfect spiral to Zak Shutte for a 48-yard scoring strike.
     With the Viper defense keying on Hoheneder, the Timberjacks crossed them up as fullback Dan Ries found Dale Svoboda open for an 11-touchdown to build the lead to 27-0. 
     The shellshocked Vipers took another hit from the riled-up Timberjack defense on the next play when cornerback Rob LaCrosse picked off a pass and raced 60 yards to paydirt behind some great downfield blocking. LaCrosse is the first player in the two-year history of the Timberjacks to score a defensive touchdown.
     Before the Vipers were able to catch their breath from chasing LaCrosse, Hohender stepped into front of another pass and burned Bay Area with a 50-yard touchdown dash. 
      The Timberjacks intercepted six passes in the first half and knocked the steam out of the Vipers. Ries finished off the Timberjacks’ first possession of the second half by ramming over from the 1-yard line.
     The Timberjacks offensive and defensive linemen dominated the trenches to keep the ball in the hands of the T-Jacks for most of the second half. Hoheneder completed three of six passes for 75 yards and he rushed for 60 yards on 15 carries. Ries bulled his way to 61 yards on 16 carries and he completed a pass. Shutte piled up 56 yards on just eight carries.
     Defensively, Buyarski and LaCrosse each picked off two passes, while Hoheneder and Ryan Wortner also had interceptions. Heath Berman recovered a fumble and Joel Wortner had a sack. 
     The Timberjacks open Wisconsin State Football League play Saturday against Oostburg in a 6 p.m. game at Oostburg. The Timberjacks lost to Oostburg in the first round of the playoffs last season.  

July 23rd, 2008 Article - The M & M Timberjacks decided to bring their show on the road to Peshtigo. Peshtigo was well represented, as the Timberjacks cruised to a 42-8 victory over the NEW Storm in an exhibition game at Peshtigo High School.
     Aric Chaltry and Ryan Wortner, a pair of Peshtigo graduates playing for the T'Jacks, each scored rushing touchdowns in ihe blowout victory.
     Wortner's touchdown was set up by a fumble recovery by his brother, Joel Wortner, who also graduated from Peshtigo. 
     Chaltry also had an interception on the defensive side of the ball'. The Timberjack offense was clicking on all cylinders, led by tailback Randy Hoheneder, a Marinette native.
     Hoheneder ran the ball 16 times for 144 yards and a touchdown, averaging nine yards per carry. Dan Ries added 97 yards and a score on 17 carries, while newcomer Zak Shutte of Wabeno had 56 yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries.
     Shutte also caught a pass that went for 35 yards from Hoheneder.
     Another Marinette native and first-time Timberjack, Rob LaCrosse, had himself a game, as he collected three tackles, knocked away two pass attempts, and intercepted another. 
     This was the first time the Timberjacks have played at a high school field. 
     They will be playing in Peshtigo again this Saturday, when they lake on the Bay Area Vipers at 4 pm.

July 23rd, 2008 Article - Peshtigo -- T-jacks roar in preseason opener
     The M&M Timberjacks close out their preseason schedule against the Green Bay Vipers Saturday in a 4p.m. game at Peshtigo.
     The Timberjacks got off to a roaring start with a 42-8 trouncing of N.E.W. Storm last Saturday.
     Dan Ries scored on a 5-yard run, tailback Randy Hoheneder scrambled in from 12 yards, and Aric Chaltry added a 2-yard plunge.
     After posting a first-half shutout, the Timberjacks’ defense forced a fumble on the Storm’s first play of the second half.  Joel Wortner recovered the loose ball to set up a 1-yard blast by his brother Ryan.
     Zak Shutte left the Storm grasping at air with some shifty moves as he added a pair of touchdown runs.

July 20th, 2008 - Peshtigo - Timberjacks avoid the Storm  
While storms were moving through the area on Sunday, one Storm that did not hit Peshtigo was the NEW Storm. The M&M Timberjacks started out their 2008 season with a convincing 42-8 victory. The game began with a dominant defensive series in which the T-Jacks recorded a tackle for a loss on every play including a 3rd down tackle in the end zone by DE Adam Buyarski that resulted in a safety. It was all Timberjacks from there.  
     FB Dan Ries got the scoring going with a 5 yard TD plunge. That was followed by a 12 yard jaunt by TB Randy Hoheneder and the first half’s scoring was capped off by a 2 yard run from Peshtigo’s own TB Aric Chaltry. With the ground game hitting on all cylinders, the T-Jacks took a 22-0 lead into halftime.  
     The defense set the tone again in the second half as they forced a fumble that was recovered by DE Joel Wortner on the first play from scrimmage. The offense took it from there and pounded the ball down the field and capped the drive with a 1 yard TD run from FB Ryan Wortner. A bit of irony as the drive was started and finished by the two Peshtigo raised brothers.  
     Zak Shutte came on late in the game and showed some nifty moves at tailback. He reeled off 2 late scoring runs to cap off the Timberjacks first win of the season.  
     Next Saturday the Timberjacks will host the Bay Area Vipers in their pre-season finale at Peshtigo High School at 4 pm. 

July 18th, 2008 Article - Menominee — The M&M Timberjacks kick off their second season Sunday when they play the N.E.W. Storm at 4 p.m. at the Peshtigo High School field.
     Coach Joe Plautz’s team defied the odds in its debut season by finishing in a tie for second place in the Wisconsin State Football League with a 7-3 record.
     The Timberjacks are a little low on numbers this season with 27 players suiting up for Sunday’s game.
     “I’m going to play this one like a regular-season game,” Plautz said. “I want to get everyone in the game. We scouted (N.E.W. Storm) in May when they played the (Arctic) Blast and they looked like a pretty well-organized team.” 
     The key players are still in place for another strong season. Dan Ries rushed for 616 yards on 127 carries for a 4.9 average last year and connected on 28 of 53 passes (52 percent) for 531 yards. 
     Aric Chaltry connected on 24 of 51 passes for 321 yards, while rushing for 476 yards (5.2 ypg).
     Jim Ahrndt snared 16 passes for 256 yards and three TDs, and Randy Hoheneder and Joel Wortner each had 15 receptions. Hoheneder led the team in receiving yards with 277 and topped the team in receiving touchdowns (four).
     Drew Buyarski averaged six yards per carry and is expected to be a bigger part of the T-Jacks’ attack this season.
     “We’re a running team. That’s who we are,” Plautz said. “I want to see how well we run the football and how well we move the football. I want us to be effective when we pass.” 
     Ahrndt led the defense in solo tackles (39) and assists (43). Joel Wortner led the Timberjacks in sacks with five.
     “I’m really excited about our defense,” said Plautz. “We’ve got some very good players on defense.” 
     Ries was honored as the Offensive Back of the Year last season; Demeuse was the Defensive Back of the Year; Robert Peak, who was the Defensive Lineman of the Year, anchors the line again; and Offensive Lineman of the Year Adam Buyarski leads the blocking.
     T.J. Buscher returns as the defensive coordinator; Dan Buyarski and Larry Merrill join the team as line coaches; Tom King and Aaron Hubert are assistants; and Mike Van Rens is a sideline assistant. 
     Tickets for Timberjacks’ games are $4 for adults and $2 for ages 10-17. There is no charge for children 9 and under. 

July 16th, 2008 Article - Peshtigo - Timberjacks To Play Exhibition Games In Peshtigo 
     Football season? Believe it or not, folks, that time is here already. The M & M Timberjacks are set to open their exhibition season, and they are taking their show on the road to Peshtigo for a pair of pre-season games. 
     With the league season opening up August 2 at Oostburg, the Timberjacks are set to play two exhibition games at Peshtigo's high school stadium.
    This Sunday, July 20, the Timberjacks will take on the NEW Storm, a team based out of Appleton. The following Saturday, the Menomincc-based team will host the Bay Area Vipers. Both pre-scason games arc scheduled for 4 p.m. The Timberjacks will officially get the season underway on August 2 at Oostburg at 6 p.m 

July 9th, 2008 Article - Peshtigo Hosts Pre-Season Games For Timberjacks
     The M&M Timberjacks semipro football team will play a pair of pre-season games at Bulldog Stadium in Peshtigo...July 20 against NEW Storm and July 26 Lake County Cyclones. Both contests will kick off at 4pm.
     The Storm is a first year organization that lost to the Arctic Blast 21-14 of the NEFL. A former perennial playoff team in the IFL, Lake County is also playing an independent schedule this season.
     The annual, intrasquiad game will be held on Friday, July 11 at 6pm at the Menominee High School practice field. The Timbcrjacks open the regular season on August 2 at Oostburg before hosting three straight games..August 9 Summit Stampeders at lpm, August 16 Fox Valley Force 7pm and August 23 Kettle Moraine 4pm.

July 7th, 2008 Article - MENOMINEE — The M&M Timberjacks football team will hold a two-person scramble at the North Shore Golf Club Sunday. The event starts at noon. The entry fee is $70 per twosome if received by Friday and $80 after that. Same-day registration will take place at 11 a.m. Sunday.

The fee includes nine holes of golf, cart and a barbeque lunch following the tournament. Registration can be completed at: www.tjacks.com

July 7th, 2008 Article - MENOMINEE - The M&M Timberjacks semipro football team will play their July 20 preseason opener against the NEW Storm and their July 26 preseason game against the Lake County Cyclones at the Peshtigo High School field. Both games are at 4 p.m. The Timberjacks intrasquad game will be held Friday at 6 p.m. at the Menominee High School practice field. 

June 28th, 2008 Article - MENOMINEE — The M&M Timberjacks open their second season of semi-pro football when they play host to North East Wisconsin Storm in a preseason game July 20 at 4 p.m.

The Timberjacks open the regular season Aug. 2 at Oostburg and play the Summit Stampeders in their regular-season home opener Aug. 9.An intrasquad scrimmage will be held July 11 at 6:30p.m., probably at the Menominee High School practice field.

All regular-season home games will be played at Spies Field. The preseason games will be played on an area field. 

February 28th, 2008 Article - MENOMINEE — Shane King approached the Spies Field football field with mixed feelings when the M&M Timberjacks opened a new era in area football last August. On the one hand, his adrenaline was pumping with excitement about the venture he and his brother Jason had sunk their money into.  But a nagging thought kept interrupting his reverie.
     “We were hoping 200 to 250 people would show up,” said King. “We were afraid nobody would show up.” Jason King had a restless night before he suited up for his first game with the Timberjacks. 
     “The night before our home opener I didn’t get any sleep,” he recalled. “I thought the overall production could be a debacle and only 15 people would be there. But with (general manager) Mike Andre and the people in the booth, it turned out to be a very good performance.”
     The packed parking lots and long line at the Spies Field ticket booth chased away the thoughts of financial disaster for the King brothers.  More than 1,500 fans from throughout the area showed up at the first game to get a taste of M&M Timberjack football and the play of the local team in a victory over the Bay Area Vipers kept them coming back all season.
     “It brought a tear to my eye,” Shane said of the overflow crowd at the Timberjacks’ first game. “They kept coming and coming. It was wonderful.”
     Jason noted that he had never seen such a reception to a team while playing for three other WSFL teams.
     “One team was excited about building up their fan base to about 500 people,” he said. “A lot of teams hope to be where we’re at in about five years.”
     While playing together on a Wisconsin State Football League semipro team, the King brothers came up with idea of owning their own team in the Marinette/Menominee area. They knew football was king in a community where people grow up wearing their sports hearts on their sleeves while sporting their loyalty to the Maroons or Marines on their shirts.
     “We felt the Marinette and Menominee area would love it, but we tempered our expectations,” Shane recalled. “We saw other new teams in the league that didn’t do too well.” 
     The first-game turnout was not just a casual look-see by the fans. Loyalty to the team was already growing strong by the second home game and Timberjack fans became known around the league as the most vocal and supportive in the league.  In their first season in the Wisconsin Football League, the Timberjacks ranked third in attendance in their division.
     “At the league meeting, it was brought up that for visiting teams coming to Menominee it was like a hostile environment,” Jason said with a laugh. “So many of the fans are adamant about their team.” 
     After investing in the new team, it soon became apparent that the price tag would be much higher than they had planned. The cost of travel, footballs, uniforms and countless sideline merchandise kept raising the gamble the Kings put on their team.
     “If we would have known the cost, we probably wouldn’t have done it,” Shane admitted. “The only thing that made it worthwhile was the community support. If we would have just gotten 200 to 250 fans to our games, we couldn’t have gone a second year.”
     Jason disagrees with his brother. “What would have happened is we would have put less money into the team,” he explained. “We would have skidded by. I would have kept on plugging along. The community support has allowed us to put more into it.”
     Shane noted with relief that he and his brother almost broke even in their first year as the team owners — better than they had forecast.  “The local community kept it exciting. The sky is the limit,” he explained.
     Jason played for the Timberjacks in their debut season but will stick to his role as owner in the upcoming season. “I didn’t really play that much,” he said with a laugh. “Being tied up on the sideline, it put more of a burden on other people. This way I can help more with the game-day management.”
     Andre stirred up financial support for the Timberjacks from area businesses and soon team apparel was a common sight at games and on the street.
     Sponsors Airgas, Bay Area Medical Center, Christensen Machinery and Supply, The Greater Marinette-Menominee YMCA, Robert and June King, Thomas and Linda King, Laurie’s Wildflower Cafe and Bagel Shoppe, LeRoy’s Cleaners, L.E. Jones, Mickey-Lu Bar-B-Q, McDonald’s, Ogden Club, Schooner Pub & Grill, Schooby’s Trophies and Apparel, Sylvan Industries, Sports Corner, Scoop’s Cafe, Stateline Award, Mike and Angie Van Rens, Vojo’s All Sports and Waupaca Foundry helped ease the financial strain on the first-year team.
     Many players on the team enlisted sponsors to defray the cost of their uniforms and equipment. On the field, the Timberjacks also shattered the dire precedent set by other first-year teams. With talent from cities throughout the area and even the Gladstone, Mich. area, the M&M beat the defending champion Oostburg Rebels (7-6) in their second home game, advanced to the playoffs and finished with a 7-4 record.
     “Most new teams in this league start 0-10,” said Shane. “They expect the new teams to go 0-10. The other new team in the league last year was 0-10.” 
      Jason noted that the Timberjacks, under head coach Joe Plautz, had a much more professional approach to the game than the previous teams he played for. “I was very impressed with the team, top to bottom,” he said. “The other teams I played on, there was a player-coach. They were not able to react to what was going on. They kept running into a brick wall and hoping it would work.” 
     Jason also was impressed by the hard-nosed approach the Timberjacks brought to their games. “The other teams I played for expected their teams to lose as soon as things didn’t go their way,” he explained. “This team expected to win every game. When things didn’t go well, they didn’t give up. The maturity of the guys to stick together was very impressive.”
     Last season was filled with question marks, high hopes and playoff excitement that far exceeded expectations. At a team meeting last month, 30 new players signed up for the Timberjacks. Thirty-one players were members of the team in its first season. “We pretty much expected a flood of new guys,” Shane said. “Not everybody got the word in time last year. Some decided to wait and see. After the first couple of games, they wished they would have done it.” 
     Jason wants to provide an even more fan-friendly experience at Timberjacks’ home game in the upcoming season. “I don’t want us to grow too fast, but I would like us to increase the attendance and make it a better atmosphere for the fans. I want to make it more than a football game.” He is toying with the idea of having fan contests after the quarters, such as field goal kicking and punt catching.
     The team needs coaching help in the defensive line and special teams for the 2008 season and game volunteers. Anyone interested should go to the team Web site: TJACKS.COM