Passaglia, MHS offense poised for big things

Joe Poehls — a self-described “man of few words” — won’t say I told you so.

But deep down, Poehls knew.

As many wondered if Middleton’s football team was making the right call naming Joey Passaglia its starting quarterback in 2024, Poehls sat back with a quiet confidence that was proven correct over the next 11 games.

“We had a lot of belief in Joey,” said Poehls, Middleton’s co-head coach. “I know he was unproven at this time last year, but we had a pretty good feeling.”

That feeling was certainly proven correct.

And today, Middleton heads into its new season — one that begins with a trip to defending WIAA Division 1 state champion Bay Port on Thursday — with one of the top quarterbacks in the state.

Passaglia had a magnificent junior season, throwing 32 touchdown passes, just nine interceptions and finishing with a quarterback rating of 102.2 for a team that went 7-4 overall.

Passaglia completed 209-of-347 passes (60.2%) for 2,495 yards. Passaglia threw three touchdowns — or more — in eight of Middleton’s 11 games, highlighted by a five-TD night in a Week 2 win over Waterford.

Passaglia also threw four touchdown passes against eventual state champion Bay Port, Madison Memorial, Janesville Craig, Janesville Parker and Madison East.

Twelve months ago, many believed gifted Troy Teff might make the better quarterbacking option for the Cardinals. But Middleton left Teff at wide receiver — where he tied for the state lead with 15 touchdowns — and watched Passaglia develop into a first-team all-Big Eight Conference signal caller.

“We knew he had something in him last year,” Middleton offensive coordinator Zach Rast said. “But I don’t think anyone could have predicted that. He had an unbelievable year.”

Now, here’s the scary part — Passaglia could be even better in 2025.

Passaglia has grown an inch and now stands 6-feet-4. He’s put on 22 pounds of “good weight” and checks in at 197 pounds.

And not only is Passaglia bigger, he’s faster, meaning Middleton will use him in more of a dual threat role this season.

“We’re hoping we can run the ball a lot better in general this year,” Rast said. “But I think Joey’s legs are something we can do a lot more with this year. Last year he extended a lot of plays with his legs, but this year I think he’ll do a lot better job with using his legs as a runner. I think he will be a lot more of a threat this year.”

Two seasons ago, then-Middleton quarterback Gabe Passini ran for nearly 800 yards and 13 touchdowns. It’s unlikely Passaglia will put up rushing numbers like that. But after being primarily a pocket passer last year, the Cardinals will take advantage Passaglia’s ability to run the football.

“This offseason I really focused on getting my speed so I can add that as a threat to the offense,” Passaglia said. “I think towards the end of the season I kind of got more comfortable with running the ball and making that part of my game. I’m excited.”

The Cardinals’ path to greatness, though, undoubtedly rests on Passaglia’s golden arm and his terrific group of returning pass catchers.

Senior Chase Rogers was a second-team all-conference wide receiver last season after finishing second on the team in receptions (47) and receiving yards (703). Rogers averaged a team-best 15.0 yards per catch in 2024 and tied for second with six receiving touchdowns.

Rogers eclipsed 100 receiving yards three times, posting a season-best 132 yards in Middleton’s 19-14, come-from-behind win over Chippewa Falls in Level 1 of the playoffs. He also exceeded 100 yards against Madison Memorial and Bay Port.

Senior Jackson Guerrero was an honorable-mention all-conference wideout last year when he finished third on the team in receptions (41). Guerrero also had 443 receiving yards and caught two touchdown passes.

Guerrero also doubles as Middleton’s punter, where he earned second-team all-conference honors last season after averaging 35.2 yards per punt.

“Chase and Jackson, they’re obviously so athletic,” Passaglia said of his top two targets. “But they’re also such smart receivers and they know what they’re supposed to be doing every play and they just have a good grasp of the offense.”

Poehls can’t wait to see what his top two pass catchers can do.

“Guys like Chase and Jackson, those guys just show up and do the work every day,” Poehls said. “They don't need the glory. They just play football and they should both have great years.”

The Cardinals will have plenty of other weapons in the passing game, as well.

Senior Luke Sheehan — who will also handle place kicking duties — will be the tight end. Rising sophomore Carter Parks could also see a lot of time at tight end.

Junior Will Russell, coming off an impressive track season, provides another threat at wide receiver. Junior Eli Anderson and sophomore Brett Henrickson are also vying for playing time at wideout.

“We’re excited about the passing game,” Rast said. “We’re pretty optimistic.”

The biggest concern is the run game.

A year ago, the Cardinals threw for 256.7 yards per game, but ran for just 70.0 yards per contest and averaged only 2.9 yards per carry. Middleton’s offensive line, which had four new starters in 2024, struggled to gain its footing and the ground game never took off.

“It was tough,” Poehls said.

Middleton is hoping to be far more balanced this season.

Senior running back Elijah Jackson, a Minnesota State University recruit, could be set for a breakout year.

Jackson was a second-team all-conference selection last year largely due to his pass catching prowess. Jackson led Middleton with 342 rushing yards and had three rushing TDs, but also added 36 receptions, 314 receiving yards and had one receiving TD.

“He’s a man among boys right now,” Poehls said of Jackson. “Geez, he’s put together.”

Junior Reed Falk, who’s also a standout at defensive end, is the No. 2 running back. Senior Tyler Vogt — a standout linebacker on defense — and juniors Derion Hawkins and Tommy Reuter could also be in the mix.

“Hopefully we can run the ball better than last year,” Poehls said. “A lot of that will be up to the guys up front.”

Poehls is a former offensive lineman himself and has coached that group for several years now. So when Middleton couldn't get its ground game on track last season, he certainly took it personally.

Poehls believes his offensive line could be dramatically improved, though, which could make the Cardinals’ offense one of the state’s best.

“All these guys have some nasty finish to them, every last one of them,” Poehls said of the offensive line. “The best part of this group is they’re very tight.”

Senior guard Jaxon Hodges, who was voted one of four captains by his teammates, will lead the group. The 6-foot-2, 280 pound Hodges has tremendous size, is a good athlete and is extremely bright.

“He had a great offseason,” Poehls said of Hodges.

Junior left tackle Madden Cleary (6-6, 205) is still growing into his body, but has tremendous height and arm length. Senior right tackle Riess Perry (5-11, 252), junior guard Brayden Booth (6-1, 258) and junior center Braden Poehls (5-11, 250) are the frontrunners to round out the line.

Middleton should have solid depth, too, as players such as senior Collin Walser, and juniors Garrett Schweitzer, Sean Passno and Clark Cox are all battling for playing time.

“The camaraderie those guys have together is impressive,” Joe Poehls said. “Like, the magic is kind of back. They’re good to each other and they’re picking each other up and there’s a selflessness.”

Passaglia agreed with his head coach.

“The offensive line is just going to do great this year,” Passaglia said. “And E.J. (Elijah Jackson) is coming back and he’s better than ever. So with him running ball and if I’m able to pull, it’s just going to make us even more dangerous.”

Middleton averaged 29.5 points per game last season with a first-year starter at quarterback and a running game that couldn't get out of first gear. With Passaglia ready for bigger and better, a bevy of options in the passing game and an improved rushing attack, the Cardinals’ offense could shine in 2025.

“We all trust each other and are pretty excited,” Passaglia said. “We can’t wait to get going.”