Stratford has new head coach and quarterback
Marshall Lehman is following a similar path as his predecessor, Jason Tubbs, did going from Stratford varsity football defensive coordinator to varsity head coach. The only difference is that Lehman will still be the team’s defensive coordinator along with his new role as head coach.
Tubbs retired as Stratford’s varsity head football coach after guiding the Tigers to their third straight WIAA state championship last season. Tubbs spent his first 10 years as Stratford’s varsity defensive coordinator under head coach Cal Tackes before spending the last 12 years as varsity head coach. Tackes led the Tigers to a state record six consecutive state championships from 2003 until 2008 during Tubbs’ tenure as defensive coordinator.
Lehman was Stratford’s varsity football defensive coordinator for the past 12 years underneath head coach Tubbs. The Tigers garnered back-to-back WIAA Division 5 state runners-up finishes in 2018 and 2019 while winning Division 6 state titles in 2023 and 2024 and capturing the Division 5 state title last season.
Now it’s Lehman’s turn as the school’s varsity head football coach this season. He was a standout football player at Edgar High School before playing defensive back at UW-Stout.
“My passion for football started while I played for coach Jerry Sinz and many of the great Edgar coaches,” Lehman said. “During that time I got to watch my uncle, Nathan Lehman, play college and arena football, along with having the chance to play alongside many of my cousins in high school. All of that drove me to continue my football career in college and become a teacher. All of that time around football definitely helped me realize I wanted to give back and become a football coach myself. Coach Sinz, my college coach Clay Birmingham, Jason Tubbs and many other coaches have all helped me prepare to become a head football coach. I was head coach of the Stratford varsity baseball team as well, so that has helped prepare me. Being the varsity football team’s defensive coordinator has helped me prepare for the varsity head football coaching job because I got to be a vocal part of the team and I learned how to manage my time.”
Lehman is fortunate to retain Greg Belter as Stratford’s offensive coordinator this season. This is Belter’s fifth season as offensive coordinator.
“It is great to have him continue in his role as offensive coordinator,” Lehman said about Belter. “He is a great coach and having the same offensive and defensive schemes definitely helps with the transition to a new voice leading the team. I think this is year 14 for Kellen Kafka and he will continue to coach our offensive and defensive lines. Ryan Bloom is the longest tenured coach for Stratford football, spending the past three years as our special teams coordinator for the past three years. He will continue in that role working alongside Blake Lehman who also coaches the wide receivers and defensive backs. Tanner Schlender is in his second year as our quarterbacks and defensive backs coach. Kris Berg is in his fourth year as our linebackers and assistant offensive line coach.”
The cupboard isn’t completely bare from last football season. Stratford’s top returning varsity football players this season are senior running back and defensive back Brooks Vanderhoof, senior wide receiver and defensive back Coltan Breit, senior offensive and defensive lineman Drew Gage and senior offensive lineman and linebacker Jaegar Ormond.
“Each of these guys mentioned played important roles on last year’s state championship team,” Marshall Lehman said. “We have many key roles to replace from last year’s team so it will take the experience of these guys and our abundance of upperclassmen to make another long run in the playoffs again this year.”
The following is a list of the top newcomers on the varsity squad this season that Marshall Lehman said are “now going to have their chance to start on varsity after being behind a great senior class from last year”: Senior offensive lineman and linebacker Cody Randow, senior quarterback and defensive back Brady Berg, senior offensive lineman and linebacker Jack Remus, senior running back and defensive back Lucas Forrest, senior wide receiver and defensive back Mason Miller, senior offensive and defensive lineman Parker Glenn and junior offensive and defensive linemen Owen Lueck and Tyler Budtke.
“This is a large group of hard working seniors and juniors, so our coaching staff is excited to see how this team comes together and competes on Friday nights,” Marshall Lehman said.
Brady Berg is the Stratford varsity football team’s new starting quarterback this season after backing up Jack Tubbs last season.
“Brady has a strong arm and he understands the game really well,” Marshall Lehman said. “Having Coltan Breit to throw to is definitely a great feeling and getting him the ball is going to be a prior- See STRATFORD FOOTBALL PREVIEW/ page 17 ity.”
Stratford plays against Mosinee in a non-conference season opener each season. The Tigers have beaten the Indians the past two seasons after their 2022 game ended up in a tie because of lightning at Marshfield Senior High School. Marshall Lehman explained what he wants to see from his team at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22, in Mosinee.
“We make team goals each year, so we are hoping to achieve them while having fun and growing in our character,” Marshall Lehman said. “We expect to see a team that is full of hustle, physicality, grit and plays the game in a respectful way.”
Stratford then plays its annual non-conference rivalry game against Edgar in the second week of the season. The Tigers snapped a two-game losing streak against the Wildcats last season. This year’s rivalry game is at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, in Stratford. Edgar football still has a 3027 lead in regular-season wins against Stratford going back to 1965. Edgar leads Straford, 36-29, all-time in regular season and playoff wins combined.
“The Edgar versus Stratford game is a long-standing rivalry and the boys know that,” Marshall Lehman said. “I would say that they might give a little extra for this game, but we want to stay consistent with how we practice and prepare. Keeping Edgar on our schedule is a priority and playing them definitely helps us become a better football team.”
Stratford’s football team will attempt to win its fourth consecutive Central Wisconsin Large Conference title this season, but it won’t be easy.
“In order for us to win a fourth straight conference championship, we will have to be consistent with what we do,” Marshall Lehman said. “It is a very difficult conference, but I know these boys are up for the challenge.”
Stratford is also trying to win its fourth consecutive WIAA state championship, despite having a new head coach and starting quarterback. Marshall Lehman explains how he can help the Tigers maintain their level of success as one of the top small school football programs in the state. Stratford football won its state record 10th state championship last season.
“Our coaching staff is telling our guys to be consistent with how they practice and prepare,” Marshall Lehman said. “We will keep doing what we do and always look to add new concepts to help better prepare our players.”
