Pioneers Picked Fourth In WIAC Preseason Poll

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville football was selected to finish fourth in the 2024 WIAC Preseason Poll the league announced on Tuesday afternoon.

UW-La Crosse, who claimed the WIAC regular season title last year, finished atop the poll, followed by UW-Whitewater and UW-River Falls. UW-Oshkosh was right behind the Pioneers for fifth, while UW-Stout, UW-Eau Claire, and UW-Stevens Point rounded out the poll.

Head coach Ryan Munz guides the program for the third year after leading the Pioneers to a 7-4 overall record and 4-3 mark in WIAC play. UW-Platteville closed the 2023 season with three consecutive wins, including a 36-10 victory over Augustana (Ill.) in the Culver's Isthmus Bowl in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Pioneers will welcome back 23 letterwinners and nine starters from a year ago. Senior wide receiver Brandt Stare headlines the group after being named to the WIAC First Team offense a year ago. The Naperville, Illinois native scored a program record 19 touchdowns last season and finished with a conference-leading 134.2 all-purpose yards per game.

At quarterback, senior Michael Priami is back after setting career highs in passing yards (1949) and touchdowns (17) as a junior. Lining up behind him will be sophomore running back Zackary Bothun, who finished with a team-high 825 rushing yards, including 352 in the final two games. Opposite Brandt Stare on the perimeter will be Garrett Stare, giving UW-Platteville a strong duo for Priami to throw to.

Defensively, the Pioneers return 22 letterwinners but just one starter from last season. Senior Nick Alberico leads the secondary after 57 tackles and two interceptions last season, while senior Aidan Sproule brings experience along the defensive line with 11.5 sacks over the past three seasons. At linebacker, UW-Platteville looks to juniors Logan Drone and Will Straka.

The Pioneers 2024 season begins with senior night on Saturday, September 7 when the team welcomes Lakeland for a 6 p.m. kickoff.