BY RYAN BARTOW

Times Press Sports Editor

Hartford Union recently released its schedule for the 2005 football season.

Notable admissions are the replacements of Sun Prairie and Stoughton from the slate with the additions of Sheboygan South and Germantown. The Orioles will open the season on Aug. 26 at Gib Mahr Field hosting South. The Red wings went 11-1 last season en route to winning the Fox River Valley Conference title and made the WIAA Division 1 state quarterfinals before losing to Neenah, 7-6. Hartford then travels to perennial power Germantown in a game of two local powers that several area folk have been hoping would collide for years. The Warhawks (8-4) lost to the eventual Division 2 champions, Waukesha West, 21-0, in a state quarterfinal game last fall.

"We were looking to strengthen our non-conference schedule," Hartford Union

coach Dan Brunner said. "I think we really did that.

"(Germantown coach) Phil Datka and I have been friends for years and were

finally able to pull this game off."

The Orioles, 7-3 last season, will open Wisconsin Little Ten action against arch-rival Oconomowoc at home on Sept. 9. Another schedule highlight includes a visit to Wisconsin Lutheran, the defending Division 3 state champions, on Saturday Oct. 8 in a night contest. Hartford will host West Bend West on Oct. 14 on homecoming and senior night. The Orioles return seven starters on offense, including all of their top skill players. Offensive starters returning include tight end Derek Wilcox, wide receivers Paul Pridemore and Aaron Rusch, running back Lawrence Gales, quarterback Zach Christopherson and offensive linemen Matt Feucht and Josh Jacklin.

Rusch was an All-Little Ten choice and earned Honorable Mention All-State status from the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association. Feucht was a Second Team All-League choice at offensive tackle. Jacklin earned honorable status in conference. Christopherson was a second team pick at quarterback.    

The defense welcomes back six starters, and its entire secondary, featuring

Kody Aulenbacher, Christopherson and Jon Kornbeck. Feucht and Nick Holstine

will be back on the defensive line, and Sam Kreuser is the lone returning

linebacker.  Christopherson, currently being recruiting by several Division 1 schools, was a first-team All-State choice by the WFCA for his play at safety, while Holstine was an All-WLT pick on the defensive line. In all likelihood Hartford will open the season ranked in the top 10 in Division 1.

2005 Schedule

Date    Opponent    Time

8/26    Sheboygan South    7:00 p.m.

9/2    @ Germantown    7:00 p.m.

9/9    Cooney    7:00 p.m.

9/16    Watertown    7:00 p.m.

9/23    @ Middleton    7:00 p.m.

9/30    @ West Bend East    7:00 p.m.

10/8    @ Wisconsin Lutheran    7:00 p.m.

10/14    West Bend West (Homecoming/Senior Night)    7:00 p.m.

10/20    @ Beaver Dam     7:00 p.m.