The Menasha Bluejays are poised for a breakout season as they prepare to open the 2025 campaign at Lawrence University’s Banta Bowl, a venue that has become a temporary home while the community recovers from a tornado.
At the heart of the offense are quarterback Paul Schmolinske and running back Keonte Thigpen, who combined for more than 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns last year and earned all‑conference honors.
A Revamped Roster
Coach Jeramie Korth emphasizes the blend of experience and youthful talent, noting the return of senior Logan Bivens, who missed much of the previous season with an injury, and the emergence of backup quarterback Xavier John.
The offensive line is anchored by Noah Kiley, Kyle Bigelow and Aaron Waddell, while Deacon Quick, who missed most of last season, is expected to contribute solid play at the line.
Defensively, Thigpen will line up at linebacker and cornerback, joining all‑conference selections Shamir Senyange and Zane Tank in a secondary that offers both speed and length.
The team opens the season with a nonconference matchup against Plymouth at the Banta Bowl, a game that will test the new‑look offense against a familiar opponent.
Ranked No. 6 in the Post‑Crescent preseason poll, the Bluejays hope to translate their strong returning core into a higher finish than the third‑place result of a year ago, aiming to push the offense past 34 points per game.