Fab Five will lead Middleton’s offense

MADISON — The employees inside the Dejope residence hall probably should have called for reinforcements.

Middleton’s football team practiced on the University of Wisconsin campus for two days last week. The Cardinals stayed in Cole Hall and ate at the gorgeous Dejope cafeteria.

While Middleton attacked their meals like it was a Friday night against Verona, perhaps no group did more damage than the offensive line.

“Look at those guys over there,” MHS co-head coach Joe Poehls said, pointing to four of his linemen. “I think they just cleared about 20 plates.”

Now, that same group is ready to clear some holes.

Middleton figures to field its best offensive line in quite some time. And if the Cardinals eventually repeat as Big Eight Conference champs, it’s a good bet the offensive line will have played an enormous role in their success.

“I’ve got nasty guys,” Poehls said. “As a line coach, that’s the dream.”

Middleton averaged 220.2 passing yards per game last season and 131.0 on the ground on its way to a 9-2 season. The Cardinals went a perfect 7-0 in the Big Eight and reached Level 2 of the playoffs before losing to Lake Geneva Badger, 31-7, in Level 2 of the playoffs.

With a veteran offensive line, a solid group of running backs and questions in the passing game, don’t be surprised if MHS becomes a run-first operation in 2026.

“I think we can be one of the best lines in the state,” senior center Braden Poehls said of the Cardinals’ offensive line. “We’re returning a lot of starters and that’s big. That can’t be understated. The chemistry that’s already there, we’re building upon it in this camp.”

The anchors figure to be returning starters Braden Poehls, senior right tackle Madden Cleary and senior left guard Brayden Booth.

Braden Poehls (6-1, 270) started every game last season, was named second-team all-conference and anchored what was then a rebuilt offensive line. Braden Poehls is highly intelligent carrying a 4.2 GPA, makes all the line adjustments and is a quarterback’s best friend.

“He’s smart, big, strong, detailed,” Joe Poehls said of Braden. “He knows what’s going on with adjustments.

“He has very, very good technique. He’s a microprocessor. He can tell me what I want quicker than I can tell him what I want. He’s dependable, durable. He can have a really good year.”

The 6-foot-6, 230-pound Cleary is one of the fastest rising tackles in the Class of 2027. Cleary was a quarterback through his freshman year of football, then moved to tight end as a sophomore.

As the coaches discovered Cleary’s rare combination of length and athleticism, they moved him to tackle where he was a second-team all-conference performer as a junior. This year Cleary seems poised for even bigger and better.

“He’s got great footwork and great work ethic,” Joe Poehls said of Cleary. “He has high energy, he’s aggressive, he’s a tactician, he’s smart and he’s thoughtful.”

MHS senior Reed Falk, the Big Eight’s Defensive End of the Year last season, went head-to-head against Cleary in many practices last year. Both players agreed their battles typically ended in a draw, which is something most tackles couldn't do against the ultra-talented Falk.

“Madden has really good movement,” Falk said. “He’s obviously leaner than most linemen, but he moves really fast. He’s an athlete. Great guy to have on the line.”

Booth (6-1, 205) was Middleton’s left tackle last season and earned honorable-mention all-Big Eight honors. This year Booth moves to left guard where the Cardinals’ believe he’ll excel.

“Guard is more his spot,” Joe Poehls said of Booth. “He played left tackle more out of necessity. He’s strong, smart, aggressive, nasty and he’s got attitude. He’ll be a really good guard.”

Middleton’s newcomers up front — junior right guard Soren Uselman and senior right tackle Clark Cox — are packed with potential, as well.

Many in the program believe Uselman (6-3, 245) could wind up being the best lineman of the bunch. Uselman has a rare combination of size, strength and athleticism, and could turn heads this fall.

“He’s a beast,” Braden Poehls said of Uselman. “He’s big, strong, fast. He’s kind of green like we all were last year, but I think being around all us seniors I think is going to help him get up to speed a lot quicker.”

Joe Poehls agreed with his son.

“This kid passes the eye test,” Joe Poehls said of Uselman. “He is put together. In my humble opinion, he’s one of the hidden gems in this state.

“He moves and he’s strong. He’s going to stick out in games. He’s just nasty, like I’m going to bury you and I’m going to bury three other guys along the way nasty.”

The 6-foot-7, 200-pound Cox made big strides this offseason and should be a natural at left tackle, which allowed Booth to slide inside.

“Clark is just nasty,” Joe Poehls said. “He worked his (butt) off this offseason and he’ll do a great job. They all gel so well together.”

Cleary believes the Cardinals’ offense will be potent, and the biggest reason could be MHS’ Fab Five.

“I think the sky’s the limit,” Cleary said. “We have weapons from the offensive line all the way spread out wide.

“Every team might have a rock or something, but I think our offense as a whole can be potent and powerful if we play to the potential that we have. But when you start with a line like ours, that’s a great thing.”

Middleton’s running back room should be strong, as well, but might need some time getting up to speed. That’s because Falk is expected to be out until approximately Week 3 after breaking his ankle at a national wrestling tournament in April.

A year ago, Falk was a second-team all-conference running back after rushing 30 times for 179 yards (6.0) and four touchdowns. He also caught three passes for 31 yards and a TD.

Falk won a WIAA Division 1 state wrestling championship at 190 pounds in March, then broke his ankle a month later. Falk is running again, though, and hopes to be back by the time the Cardinals start Big Eight play at Madison Memorial on Sept. 4.

“I’m feeling pretty great, and I’m just super excited to get back,” said Falk, who will wrestle collegiately at Utah State. “Hopefully I can get cleared soon and can get some pads on.”

When he does, Falk figures to be a load for opposing defenses to deal with.

“He doesn’t ever want to be tackled,” MHS co-coach Tim Simon said of Falk. “If you’re coming at him by yourself, you’re probably not going to tackle him. Plus, he got better at making cuts and finding openings in our zone scheme.”

While Falk is out, senior Derion Hawkins figures to be the Cardinals’ No. 1 back. Last season, Hawkins had 39 carries for 261 yards (6.7) and four touchdowns.

“He’s got talent for days,” Joe Poehls said of Hawkins. “He’s fast, smooth, aggressive.”

Senior scatback Tom Reuter and junior Luke Strasia will also get some carries while Falk is sidelined.

“When I was a freshman I ran the ball with all the guys we have in the front and we ran it really well,” Falk said of the Cardinals’ line. “So I think I’ll be super comfortable running behind those guys again, and we’ll run it just fine while I’m out.”

The Cardinals’ biggest question mark is at quarterback, where they graduated Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year Joey Passaglia. The dual threat Passaglia was also named all-Region and honorable-mention all-state after throwing for 2,318 yards and 25 touchdowns, and rushing for 456 yards and five TDs.

Senior Eli Breunig, who backed up Passaglia last year, is the probable Week 1 starter. Junior Ben Lashak will likely be the No. 2.

“EB has a very good arm, but is not as much of a scrambler as Joey was,” Joe Poehls said. “He’s intelligent, a good leader, great arm. Smart.

“Ben has always had a very good pocket presence and can take off. He’s like another running back. We’d feel good with either one of those guys.”

The Cardinals are feeling awfully good about their group of pass catchers, too.

Junior tight end Carter Parks was an honorable-mention all-conference selection last season. Parks, a standout basketball player, as well, is incredibly dangerous in the passing game and just as accomplished as a blocker.

“I feel so good with him,” Joe Poehls said of Parks. “Middleton has a really good tight end history, and I think when it’s all said and done he’s going to be right up there with all of them.

“You teach him something, it just sticks like that. He takes it serious, but he doesn’t let things get to him. And he’s so smooth and so fluid and so dependable and strong. He never gets too high or too low. He’s a weapon.”

Junior wideout Isaiah Nehring also figures to be a weapon. Some in the program say Nehring reminds them of former MHS standout Isaiah Oliver, who’s now playing collegiately at Iowa.

“He’s just a freak athlete,” Cleary said of Nehring. “He’s strong, fast, he can move really well. He’s honestly going to be one of the bigger parts of our offense.”

Senior Will Russell, who caught nine passes for 78 yards last year, could factor in if he’s not moved strictly to defense. Senior Eli Anderson (7 catches, 47 yards last season) is a slot receiver who’s a tremendous blocker, while senior Logan Thompson is fighting for time.

“We feel good about what we have,” Joe Poehls said of the receiving group.

Senior Caymus Roberts is the frontrunner at kicker, while either Parks or junior Hudson Kadow will handle the punting duties.

Overall, the Cardinals feel good about what their offense can do.

And that starts with an offensive line that could be the envy of the area.

“You can throw for 500 yards and win the game and feel pretty good,” Joe Poehls said. “But when you run for 500 yards and win, then you’ve taken their soul. And these guys can do it. I think they can definitely do it.”