The Packers have announced that Travis Winkers of Markesan High School in Markesan, Wis., has been named the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week.
Winkers, in his fifth year as the varsity head coach of Markesan, led the Hornets to a 34-6 victory over the Horicon/Hustisford High School football team, on Friday, Sept. 22. Horicon/Hustisford entered the contest undefeated at 4-0. The win keeps the Hornets perfect in conference play at 4-0 (5-1 overall), as they remain the leaders of the Trailways-Large Conference. The team looks to improve their record on Friday, Sept. 29, as they head to Palmyra-Eagle High School to take on the Panthers.
"It was a big win for us because it had huge conference championship implications on it," Winkers said. "Offense played really well. We've got some tremendously skilled players. And our defense is getting stronger and stronger each week, but probably our best game of the year against another good offense in [Horicon/Hustisford]. It was a good all-around effort."
Winkers was born in Millville, Wis., and graduated from River Ridge High School in 2005. In high school, Winkers was a three sport athlete playing football, basketball and baseball. Winkers played quarterback for the Timberwolves, coached by Garth Osterday, and following high school, he went on to graduate from UW-La Crosse in 2011.
Winkers began his coaching career in 2008 for his alma mater as an assistant coach at River Ridge High School. In 2011, he began teaching and assistant coaching for Markesan High School, and became head coach of the Hornets in 2013.
Winkers said he was honored to win the award, saying it is a reflection on his great staff and players.
"It means you have a good team," said Winkers. "It means our team is in the right direction. Like every good program, you have good players and good assistant coaches. They put a lot of time in, whether it's watching film, being at practice or in the weight room.Whatever it is, you need everyone on board, otherwise it's not going to go very well, so they play a huge part in it."
Winkers and his staff oversee a program of 55 players. His assistant staff includes Brent Wiegel, Jason Breaker, Eric Allen, Rod Symons, Andrew Dittburner, Dean Slark, Tim Dillie and Kyle Jahnke.
In addition to coaching football, Winkers also teaches physical education at Markesan High School.
Winkers and his wife, Trinity, have a daughter, Isabelle, and a son, Beau.
About the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week Program:
The Packers will recognize one outstanding high school coach as their 'Coach of the Week' winner during the 2017 high school football season. Winners are awarded several items and privileges, including a $1,000 donation to the school's football program from the Green Bay Packers and the NFL Foundation, as well as recognition of the award on Packers.com, Wissports.net and Wifca.org.
Nominations for Coach of the Week should be submitted by 10 a.m. every Monday to Ryan Fencl, Youth Football Coordinator, at coachoftheweek@packers.com. Please include the nominee's name, address, school, phone number and reason he/she is deserving of the award.
