WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsWaunakee football hungry for a 3-peat

WAUNAKEE (WKOW) -- The sounds of football have returned to Warrior Stadium a week earlier than normal. This year, high school football practice started August 3, in time for the regular season to begin on August 19. The early start is met with mixed reaction.

"I like it. We lift from when we got out of the state championship 'til now and so it's great getting out here early and being with everyone," said Hunter Darger, who will return at starting quarterback for his senior year at Waunakee.

"We just got done with our team camps and youth camps in July, so it'd be nice to get a week back to get organized, but the reality is you're playing football and it's what we do, so it's fun," said Pat Rice, Waunakee football head coach.

It's especially fun for the Warriors because they are eager to defend their back-to-back Div. II state championships. Waunakee has built a dominant program under head coach Pat Rice and they are used to high expectations.

"I think it's good having pressure 'cause it makes everyone work so much harder. There's always been high expectations at Waunakee so I think it helps everyone be better," said Darger.

Waunakee hasn't lost a game since October 2, 2009 -- that's 22 straight wins for the Warriors. But Coach Rice says complacency shouldn't be a problem; after all, there are only six starters returning to the Warriors' team. However, one of them is senior running back Leo Musso, who rushed for 2,005 yards last season.

"We try to keep it in the back of our minds and take it one game at a time," said Musso.

"Our expectations haven't changed any since 1992. We're going to try to do the best we can every Friday and work as hard as we can every practice. If we do that, we'll have success," said Rice.

The high school band may not even be ready in time for the first football game, which is at Warrior Stadium against Madison Edgewood on August 19th. But you can bet no matter what the date on the calendar is, these warriors will be ready to go for the 3-peat.