3 things to know about Wisconsin Dells football before the 2024 season (2024)

Wisconsin Dells had plenty of ups and downs last season.

While the Chiefs’ pursuit of a third straight South Central Conference title came up short, they reached the playoffs for the fourth straight year for just the second time in program history.

More highs than lows could be in store this season as Wisconsin Dells is a frontrunner to win a conference title again.

The Chiefs will have to do so in a reconfigured SCC, as the league shifts to a closed eight-team conference for the first time following the exit of Poynette to the Eastern Suburban and the additions of Berlin, Ripon and Waupun from the East Central.

Here are three things to know about Wisconsin Dells this fall.

Sam Ersland eager to run wild in Wisconsin Dells offense

Powerhouse running backs have become a staple of the Chiefs since coach Mike Janke took over ahead of the 2020 season. Sam Ersland took the torch and ran with it in his first season as starting running back last season.

“He’s learned from some very good company in years past,” Janke said.

It showed as the 5-foot-11, 170-pound senior was a true bruiser, carrying the ball 241 times for 1,540 yards in just 10 games, good for 19th most state-wide and one of just six in the top 20 with 10 games or fewer played. Ersland recorded six games with 20 or more carries, including three with 30 or more while still averaging 6.4 yards per attempt.

“We know we can get him the ball in many different ways,” Janke said. “We are confident he has become even stronger this year to be able to carry the same workload.”

As efficient as Ersland was, what’s more impressive was his reliability with just a pair of fumbles all season while scoring 16 touchdowns, including four multi-touchdown games.

Raph Berje becomes bigger threat at wide receiver

Being a second option at any position can be tough to deal with.

Janke is confident it was the perfect first step for senior Raph Berje this fall as he jumps into the No. 1 receiver role.

“It was a great experience for him to get more confident and stronger in the passing game,” Janke said of Berje playing alongside all-conference wide receiver Degan Jensen. “He really started to focus on running a complete route and it paid off down the stretch.”

He’s not kidding.

Berje made the most of limited targets, catching just 18 passes but racking up 522 yards and five touchdowns in the process. The senior made the most of his 6-4 frame, including a 162-yard, two-score performance on just four catches in a 42-7 win over Wautoma. Even with those physical gifts, Janke said Berje is continually trying to improve.

“He does every drill at 100% and is not afraid to blow by others on the team just to make sure his standard is met,” Janke said. “He has put a lot of work into his individual game and hope that it translates to Friday nights.”

Top pass rushers return to Wisconsin Dells defense

There’s no question Logan Goodrich was the lead disruptor for the Chiefs' defense last season as the senior recorded 102 tackles, more than double Wisconsin Dells’ second-leading tackler.

The 6-5 linebacker will have a partner-in-crime this fall as Tristan Edgerton returns after suffering a torn ACL in last year's scrimmage.

It was a tough blow for Edgerton, who had a budding end to his sophom*ore season in 2022, and Janke is confident the pair’s reunion can pay big dividends.

“With Tristan back in the fold this year those two will be roaming sideline to sideline,” Janke said.

They’ll likely live in opposing backfields, too. Goodrich had 8 tackles for loss and 4½ sacks last season and the duo will draw attention away from one another this fall.