GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – Green Bay Preble graduate Brad Boockmeier is taking the reins of the Hornets football program and aims to lead them back to state for the first time since 2019.

The Hornets played a practice game against Manitowoc Lincoln on Friday and rallied in the final minute of a period, scoring a touchdown and securing the win.

“We just look different out there,” Boockmeier said. “We looked confident. We knew we could do it and we executed, we made plays. The O-line stepped up, that was the best series they had all day. The quarterbacks are throwing good balls, the receivers are catching passes, 2 phenomenal catches. It just felt different.”

This came after a tumultuous offseason for Preble, which saw former Southern Door and Ashwaubenon head coach Mark Jonas hired in February before being fired in June before even coaching a game. Then Boockmeier stepped in.

“We were all surprised and it was a shock to the whole team and we were kind of confused about what happened,” Hornets quarterback Gavin Sullivan said. “There’s a little something going on there. Once we realized Book was settling into his role, we were all OK with it.”

After a few weeks of practice, to say it’s just “okay” might be an understatement.

“He’s probably the most dedicated coach I’ve ever been around,” Sullivan said. “He’s here every day. He’s probably here more than anyone else. He coaches basketball, track and football. Everyone loves him.”

“He bleeds green and gold,” Hornets offensive lineman Owen Griffin said. “I don’t know anyone who loves our building and probably spends more time here than he does. The guy is a basketball coach, track and field coach. He does it all.”

Now Boockmeier leads the program where he rushed for over 1,500 yards as a senior before playing further down the stretch at St. Norbert, it’s nothing less than a full-circle moment for the new head coach.

“This is quite frankly a dream job for me,” Boockmeier said. “I grew up with this program, played in it, came to games when I was in college and then was an assistant coach. It’s just the program I always wanted to be a part of and now I get to lead it.”

Boockmeier said restructuring the program starts with “Preble pride. Being proud to put that jersey on, proud of the history, proud of what it represents, proud to be the player that the little kids watch and putting everything into the program because it gives you something back.”

While the team hopes for maximum success this fall, it may take more than one offseason to build a consistent contender.

“As a head coach, people will say it’s the head coach’s program, but it’s the seniors’ team,” Boockmeier said. “This year it’s all about the seniors, but as a head coach you have to think, ‘If these guys lead by example, then you’re set up for next year. If these guys are fun, then more guys will come next year.’ Then they build on that culture.”

“We have all these younger kids, the junior guys, the freshmen, these are kids that look up to us varsity players and we play a big role,” Griffin said. “Are they going to see a guy that fights through every game? You just have to be a role model for the guy behind you. My little brother is a freshman and I want things to look better here when he leaves than when I leave.”

As one of the largest schools in the state, the Hornets believe there are no limits to what they can achieve.

“I think we’ve always had talent,” Sullivan said. “Preble is a huge school with 2,400 kids, there’s talent. We just have to put it into action and when adversity comes, like today, we have to respond and I think that’s the most important thing. If we can do that, we’ll be competitive and be competitive in this conference.”

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