The crisp late-August air in Wisconsin usually signals the return of Friday night lights, and this year’s season opener between Mayville and Cedar Grove-Belgium High School was no exception. For the fifth consecutive year, these two football powerhouses squared off to kick off their campaigns, both eager to see how they measure up against a familiar, formidable foe. This matchup has become a tradition—a sort of unofficial litmus test for two programs that regularly find themselves deep in the postseason. And on August 27, 2025, it was Mayville who emerged victorious, besting the Rockets 33-22 and breaking the 2-2 deadlock in their recent head-to-head history.
Both teams entered the contest with high expectations, each having advanced to the third round of the playoffs last season. The rivalry between the Cardinals and the Rockets has become one of mutual respect and fierce competition, with each season opener serving as a preview of the grit and determination that define their football cultures. If you’re looking for early-season drama, these squads never disappoint.
But this year’s game wasn’t just about the final score. It was also about stories of perseverance, redemption, and new beginnings. Perhaps the most electrifying subplot was the return of Owen Gulke to the football field. Gulke, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior, had stepped away from football after eighth grade to focus on basketball. His time on the hardwood paid off—he became a unanimous first team all-Big East South player as a junior. Yet, even as he racked up accolades on the court, football was never far from his mind—or from the minds of his coaches and teammates.
Rockets coach Dan Schreurs couldn’t hide his excitement about Gulke’s return. For years, Schreurs and his staff had tried to coax the talented athlete back to the gridiron. “We’ve been trying to get him for years,” Schreurs said with a smile. “I’d be at basketball games and see him around. Even sending text messages, stuff like that. It turned more comical than anything.” The persistent efforts finally paid off this summer when Gulke, encouraged by his teammates and emboldened by quarterback Carter Schmitz, decided to give football one more shot for his senior year. “I was out here running routes and (Schmitz) was like you got to text (Schreurs) so I finally sent coach a text,” Gulke recalled. The decision came just about a week before the season started—a move that would soon pay immediate dividends for the Rockets.
Schreurs knew he had something special in Gulke. “I think we kept applying the pressure and got him to bite,” the coach said with a grin. “I’m thankful he’s out here. He adds a whole dimension to our offense.” So confident was the team in Gulke’s abilities that the first two offensive plays of the season were drawn up for him. The first attempt didn’t quite connect, but the second play? That’s where the magic happened. “The second play of the game, we had a shot called up and we were going to try right away,” Schreurs explained. “First attempt didn’t go right away, but second one did.”
On just his second snap as a high school football player, Gulke hauled in a 55-yard touchdown pass from Schmitz—a moment that electrified the Cedar Grove-Belgium sideline and ignited the home crowd. “It was something, a feeling I haven’t thought in a while,” Gulke said of his touchdown catch. He would go on to finish the night with an impressive stat line: four catches, 101 yards, and that memorable score. Not too shabby for someone who had only officially returned to the sport less than a month earlier.
What convinced Gulke to make his comeback? The answer was simple: camaraderie. “It took a lot of convincing from all the guys,” Gulke admitted with a laugh. “Came down to being my senior year and this is my last year. I thought, why not. (My teammates) are awesome and great to be around. Hanging around with them, getting to play football. Not a lot better than you can do.” The bond with his teammates, forged on the basketball court and strengthened during summer workouts, proved irresistible. And for the Rockets, his return injected a burst of energy and optimism into their offensive scheme.
On the other side of the field, Mayville proved why they are perennial contenders in Wisconsin high school football. The Cardinals executed their game plan with precision, capitalizing on key moments and ultimately outscoring the Rockets by 11 points. The victory gives Mayville a 3-2 edge in the five-year series of season openers against Cedar Grove-Belgium, a testament to the razor-thin margins that separate these two programs. Both teams, having reached the third round of the playoffs last year, know that early setbacks can be valuable learning experiences. For Mayville, the win is a statement of intent; for Cedar Grove-Belgium, it’s a reminder that the season is a marathon, not a sprint.
Fans from both communities packed the stands, their cheers echoing across the field as the sun dipped below the horizon. For many, this annual clash is more than just a football game—it’s a celebration of small-town pride, tradition, and the enduring spirit of high school athletics in Wisconsin. The anticipation leading up to the matchup was palpable, with both sides eager to see how new faces and returning veterans would perform under the Friday night lights.
As the game unfolded, it became clear that both teams have the talent and determination to make deep playoff runs once again. The Cardinals’ disciplined approach and timely execution set the tone, but the Rockets showed plenty of fight, especially with Gulke’s explosive debut. Schreurs, reflecting on the night, expressed gratitude for his team’s resilience and the promise of what’s to come. “I’m thankful he’s out here. He adds a whole dimension to our offense,” he reiterated, highlighting the impact of Gulke’s return.
Looking ahead, both Mayville and Cedar Grove-Belgium will use this opener as a springboard for the rest of the season. The Cardinals, buoyed by their hard-fought win, will look to build on their momentum and continue their quest for another deep playoff run. The Rockets, meanwhile, will regroup and focus on integrating their new weapon into an already potent attack. With Gulke back in the fold and a roster full of determined athletes, Cedar Grove-Belgium is far from done.
As the dust settles on this latest chapter in their rivalry, one thing is certain: Wisconsin high school football fans can expect more fireworks from these two teams in the weeks to come. For now, Mayville holds the bragging rights, but the season is young—and with stories like Gulke’s unfolding, anything can happen under those Friday night lights.