WAUKESHA, Wis. - After suffering through significant growing pains as it rejoined the ranks of the high-powered College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin last year, the Carroll University football team enters the 2017 season with renewed optimism and a focused, clear-cut plan to blaze a path to success.
Fueled by a true pioneering spirit and determined mindset, Carroll looks to build upon a solid foundation of leadership and earn respect in the process.
With a strong core of hungry, experienced returning players and mix of hungry, young talent, the Pioneers aim to chisel their way into contention within the league standings.
The return of 10 starters to the lineup, including five on offense, four on defense and one on special teams, should only help accelerate the process.
Carroll claimed its last CCIW title in 1988 - sharing the conference title with national powerhouse Augustana.
For current Carroll head coach Mark Krzykowski, entering his seventh year at the helm with a 36-24 overall record, the ongoing challenge of developing his team within one of the premier conferences in NCAA Division III has been intriguing.
"We've been really happy with the progression of our fall camp," said Krzykowski, who also serves as the team's defensive coordinator and has guided the Pioneers to five winning seasons during his tenure. "At this point in the season, we're not only bigger than ever before in terms of squad size but also stronger and healthier than we've ever been. The atmosphere has been great from day one. We have good depth and it has led to a lot of healthy competition.
"Throughout the first few weeks of practice, we've executed at a high level, remained assignment sound and have  continued to make smart decisions. Our main focus is on winning every play when we step on the field, stringing together each victory and building a foundation of success. From an overall standpoint, we're very excited about where we're at and where we continue to go."
It will be difficult to replace the leadership of graduated starting southpaw quarterback Kyle Burlingame, who passed for 1,1711 yards and 16 touchdowns last season - establishing a school-mark for TD passes (56) in the process.
Senior quarterback Noah Strasser (6-0, 160) from Silver Lake, Wis. and junior quarterback Colton Bahling (6-1, 200) from Belvidere, Ill. are among the top candidates vying to lead the Carroll offense under second-year offensive coordinator Tony Aker.
Junior running back Drake Pusateri (5-10, 195) from Lombard, Ill. will bring a heavy dose of experience to the backfield.
Senior wide receiver Brandon Ehrke (6-3, 190) from Deerfield, Wis. returns to lead a talented receiving corps. 
Ehrke, a second-team all-conference selection last season, finished with 35 catches for a team-high 555 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Junior wide receiver/return specialist Parker Zitzke (5-9, 180) from Waukesha, Wis., who contributed 45 catches for 447 yards and two touchdowns, also returns.
Senior Patrick Barrett (6-2, 310) from Waukesha, Wis. and junior Rylee Nass (6-7, 315) from Hustisford will anchor a young, athletic offensive line.
Senior tackle Ethan Molisee (6-6, 250) from Brookfield, Wis. and junior defensive end Peter Kunesh (6-2, 260) from Manitowoc are slated to lead a strong defensive line.
Senior Andrew Danculovich (5-10, 215) from Cudahy, Wis., who finished with a team-best 62 tackles, returns to help lead an aggressive linebacking corps.
Junior defensive backs Linzy Hudson (5-9, 180) from Milwaukee, Wis., Colin Shepley (6-0, 190) from Northfield, Minn. and Billy Krawczyk (5-11, 189) from Lockport, Ill. and junior safety Cameron Cassaro (5-10, 190) from Caledonia, Wis. will bring stability to the secondary.
"The guys have worked hard and continue to make the offseason program better with each year," added Krzykowski, the 2014 Wisconsin Private College Coach of the Year whose team finished the 2016-17 school year with a cumulative grade point of 3.0. "We're excited about the team's potential because they are not only competing hard on the field, they're doing a great job in the community and most importantly in the classroom. Overall, we're really excited about the team's direction and how we continue to move forward with each day. We're just trying to put the best athletes on the field in order to be successful. The guys have approached each practice with great concentration in both the meeting rooms and on the field. 
"Having only four home games this season, every one of them will mean that much more so we want to take advantage of the opportunity to ring the bell and carry that effort onto the road. That said, we're going to take it one play at a time, attempt to give our best performance and see what happens."

PIONEER FAST FACTS
What: Carroll University football team 
Conference: College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin (CCIW)
Head Coach: Mark Krzykowski, seventh season (36-24 overall)
Assistant Coaches: Tony Aker (offensive coordinator), Riley Hill (offensive line), Elliot Fields (assistant defensive coordinator/defensive backs), Andrew Danford (defensive line), Taylor Lucas (tight ends), Matt Sonisky (wide receivers), Ryan Fuchs (cornerbacks), Travis Wysong (linebackers) and Mike Connell (running backs)
Athletic Trainer: Steven Staab
2016: 1-7 in conference, 1-9 overall (Carroll earned its first victory of the season on Nov. 11th by defeating North Park University 28-21 on Senior Day.)
Offense: Spread; Defense: 4-2-5
Key Graduation Losses: quarterback Kyle Burlingame, wide receiver Austin Piekarski, running back Bennett Kothe, offensive lineman Bill Schmid and Robby Rees, defensive linemen Luke Everts and Peter Menges, defensive back Aaron Mushall and place kicker Taylor Plehn
Returning Starters: 10, including five on offense, four on defense and one on special teams
Players to Watch: senior wide receiver Brandon Ehrke, senior quarterback Noah Strasser, junior quarterback Colton Bahling, junior running back/wide receiver Drake Pusateri, junior wide receiver Parker Zitzke, senior offensive lineman Patrick Barrett, senior defensive tackle Ethan Molisee, senior linebacker Andrew Danculovich, junior defensive back Linzy Hudson 
Notable: Carroll captured its last CCIW conference championship in 1988 (sharing the title with Augustana)