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Coach Hernandez of Tomahawk Named Packer Coach of the Week Published on 11/06/2020 under Sports

The Packers have announced that Sam Hernandez of Tomahawk High School in Tomahawk, Wis., has been named the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week.

Hernandez, in his second year as head coach of the Hatchets, has his team at 2-4 overall this season and 2-3 in Northwoods Conference play. The Hatchets look to even their conference record Friday, Nov. 6, as they close out their regular season against Coleman High School.

Since taking over the team this past year, Hernandez's impact has been felt not only on the football field, but on the whole community. From helping elderly people move to new homes, assisting community members who need help with their yard work, and volunteering at the local Kinship of Tomahawk, the team continues to pursue a variety of ways to help others in need. Not only has giving back been beneficial to the community, but it has also been uplifting for the players.

"I think for a lot of them, it gives them a sense of pride and a sense of doing something for others," said Hernandez. "And as a football program, we want people to come sit in the stands and watch us play, and we feed off of that. So this is an opportunity for us to provide a platform for these kids to do good things for others without anything in return. If we can send the players out into life after high school with that skillset of doing good things to be good people, then that is a great lesson for them to take."

Hernandez graduated from Marshall High School in Marshall, Wis., in 2004. Throughout high school, he participated in football, basketball and baseball. He played nose tackle, running back and kicker under head coach Mike Zimmerman. Following high school, he went on to graduate from UW-Whitewater in 2009. In addition to coaching other high school sports, Hernandez's football coaching career began as an assistant coach for Lake Mills High School in 2008. He went on to coach at Johnson Creek High School in 2013, before being named the head coach of the Hatchets in 2019.

To Hernandez, the Coach of the Week Award speaks to the work being done by the program on and off the field.

"This award is really an award for the kids, the program and my coaching staff. I'm just one person as part of a bigger group. I'm so honored to have our program and have our kids be recognized for this because they do work hard. We've struggled in terms of wins over the last couple of years, but the kids work hard, the coaching staff works hard every week, and we do work in the community and outside of the football field. To see those kids get recognized with other programs around the state, is a really cool opportunity for this program and highlights the really good things that we are doing."

Hernandez and his staff oversee a program of 43 players with 33 suiting up for varsity games. His assistant staff includes Andy Peissig, Jeremy Zimmerman, Aaron Evans, Dave Long, Jon Long, Nick Schertz and Steven Shrigley. In addition to being the head coach, Hernandez is also an English teacher at the high school. Hernandez and his wife, Ashley, have three sons, Derek, Brett and Vaughn.

About the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Week Program:

The Green Bay Packers Coach of the Week program supports football outreach efforts by giving high school coaches the recognition they deserve. Nominations can be submitted by 10 a.m. every Monday to Ryan Fencl, Packers football outreach specialist, at coachoftheweek@packers.com. All nominations should include the nominee's name, address, school, phone number and reason he/she is deserving of the award. This year, because some schools have postponed their football seasons to the spring due to COVID-19, the Packers are seeking coaches to be nominated regardless of their teams' on-field performance or whether they are playing in the fall or spring. Rather, the nominee could be honored for how they have turned programs around, how the team has impacted the community, or how the coach impacts the players and their families.

In Other News

Hatchet Boys Swimming Team Sending Individuals to State

Published on 02/16/2026 under Sports The Hatchet boys' swimmers will be sending multiple athletes to the WIAA Division 2 State Meet in Waukesha for the second consecutive season. At the Sectional Meet in Rice Lake, Junior Dane Dekiep qualified for the state meet in the 100 yard backstroke. Dekiep would finish fourth in the event with a time 56.41 seconds. Senior Bruce Peetz would break the school record and qualify for the state meet in the 500 yard freestyle. Peetz's time was 5:07.13, good for third overall and was the top GNC finisher. Dekiep and Peetz will be competing in the WIAA Division 2 State Boys Swim Meet. Events will be at the Waukesha South Natatorium Friday at 5:30.

Published on 02/16/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's male wrestlers would finish ninth as a team in the WIAA Division 2 Sectional Meet in Antigo Saturday. The Hatchets finished with 98.5 points, four behind Sturgeon Bay/Sevastopol. Tomahawk had two wrestlers finish third in their weight classes. Zander Zehner would fail to qualify for state at 157 pounds after losing to Murphy Beyer of Freedom in the championship match and Joseph Stimac of Antigo in the second-place match. At 215 pounds, Nathan Norman would win his third-place match over Sturgeon Bay/Sevastopol's Anthony Estevez. This concludes the Hatchet male wrestling season.

Published on 02/16/2026 under News From fire trucks and hoses to ladders and turnout gear, firefighters use all sorts of equipment. One often overlooked tool...their ropes. One local department is raising funds to replace theirs. The Tomahawk Fire Department is sell tickets for their St. Patrick's themed Pot O' Gold fundraising raffle. Funds will be going towards their ropes, harnesses, and webbing. To promote the fundraiser, the Department recently highlighted how this seemingly simply gear is essential for rescue operations, fire fighter safety, and equipment management.Ropes (Life Safety & Utility): Life safety ropes are used for hoisting, lowering, and rappelling, while utility ropes are for securing objects and training.Harnesses (Class II & III): Essential for personal escape systems (PES), allowing firefighters to safely escape through windows during a "mayday" situation. They are also used for working at height and rescuing victims.Webbing (Versatility): Used to create improvised harnesses, carry SCBA bottles, drag victims or incapacitated firefighters and secure equipment.The Fire Department notes these aren't standard ropes you can purchase at the hardware store; they must adhere to standards set by the National Fire Protection Agency. Even a relatively small department like Tomahawk, replacement runs approximately $10,000. And while they are not used in every call, the department notes they are crucial for saving lives whether an aerial response, confined space, or ice water rescue. The raffle provides an opportunity to support the department with a chance to win some cash. Members of the Tomahawk Fire Department have tickets for sale, we also have a limited number here at WJJQ during business hours.

Published on 02/16/2026 under News The Lincoln County Health Department is reminding community members about the risk of blastomycosis. While being exposed to the spores that cause blasto may be unusual at this time of year, symptoms can be delayed by several months. That means an exposure during fall activities could still be developing during the winter months. Some symptoms of blasto are similar to those of other respiratory illnesses common for this time of year. Given that overlap... it is important for patients to follow-up with their provider if respiratory symptoms are not improving or worsening, especially for activities that are associated with blasto. Exposure comes from common and popular outdoor activities, especially those that disturb the soil. Just a few examples include hunting, hiking, camping, gardening, off-roading, construction and yard work. While rare overall, Lincoln County has among the highest incidence rates of blasto in Wisconsin. That's still just a handful of cases each year. Many infected show no signs or symptoms though serious cases can lead to hospitalization or long-term impacts. The Lincoln County Health Department has a webpage dedicated to blasto.

Published on 02/16/2026 under News ArtStart will be teaming up with Aspirus to host two suicide prevention trainings in the coming days. The first session is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon (3:30pm-5pm). In that first session, they'll be going over what is known as CALM or (Counseling on Access to Lethal Means). It teaches participants how to talk in a nonjudgmental and supportive manner with a family member, friend, or others who may be thinking about suicide. Heidi Pritzl is suicide Prevention Coordinator-Aspirus System. She says, "CALM Conversations assists people to be able to recognize and respond to suicide risk with an additional focus on reducing access to lethal means." This can include firearms and dangerous medications. The second training, next Thursday, February 26 (1pm-2:30pm) covers what is known as QPR. The three step training model teaches people how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to Question, Persuade, and Refer someone for help. Organizers note these trainings are ideal for teachers, parents, coaches, caregivers, faith leaders, community leaders, and anyone interested in supporting mental health and wellness in the community. While free, registration is required. Register for CALM Conversations by calling ArtStart, 715-362-4328. For QPR Training, click here to register.

Published on 02/16/2026 under News For more than seven decades, Wisconsin Public Service and their staff have partnered with local Boy Scouts in the Samoset Council to help area scouts earn merit badges. They did so once again here in the Northwoods. WPS volunteers were in Wausau for an annual electricity merit badge clinic, joined by around two dozen boy scouts from the Samoset council in north central Wisconsin. Lessons include teaching scouts how electricity is generated, how to design circuits and create working electromagnets. They also focus on safety when electricity is involved and introduces scouts to a variety of careers in the industry. The first WPS/Boy Scout program was held back in 1952, and this was the 72nd edition overall. WPS hosts a similar event in Green Bay for Fox Valley Scouts as well.

Published on 02/16/2026 under News It won't be long before National Forest Lands are buzzing with summer recreational activities. The Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest is recruiting people to consider a seasonal position. Chequamegon-Nicolet Deputy Forest Supervisor, Sitka Pence says, "Our seasonal employees are the backbone of summer operations—keeping our campgrounds, trails and recreation sites open, safe and welcoming for visitors. These positions offer meaningful work, hands-on experience and the chance to support public lands close to home." They'll have at least twenty positions available out of their various stations. They said bringing on seasonal employees will help improve trails, campgrounds and facilities for safer, reliable and enjoyable recreation experiences for all. Pence noted, "Seasonal jobs can be a first step into a natural resources career, a way to build experience, or simply a chance to spend the summer working outside." In addition to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, positions will also be available in Ottawa National Forest in the UP. You can visit the CNNF website for more information, the application period opens at the end of this week.

Published on 02/14/2026 under Sports In the WIAA Girls Wrestling Regional Meet in Merrill Friday night, the Hatchets had a strong showing as they would send eight girls to the Sectional round. Tomahawk had three regional champions in the meet, who were Kylie Peissig at 107 pounds, Aubrey Tollefson at 114 pounds, and Kami Gabrich at 185 pounds. Other sectional qualifiers were Victoria Towle at 100 pounds, Lillian Taves at 126 pounds, Kaylee Roberts at 145 pounds, Elena Cerkes at 152 pounds, and Abigail Doleshal at 235 pounds. Towle, Taves, and Cerkes all won their wrestlebacks to cap off the night. The WIAA Girls Wrestling Sectional Meet is next Friday at DC Everest. Events begin at 5:00.

Published on 02/14/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's girls basketball squad would suffer one of their worst losses of the season to Lakeland in Minocqua Friday night, losing 62-33. The Hatchets were unable to stop Ava Evenhouse and the Thunderbird offense from putting up 38 points in the first half. Freya Alberg led the way in scoring for the Hatchets with 16 points. The loss drops Tomahawk to 12-11 on the season and 5-6 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets will wrap up their season next Friday with Senior Night against Mosinee. Tip is at 6:00.

Published on 02/14/2026 under Sports The Hatchet boys' basketball squad's offensive woes would continue Friday, losing to Lakeland at home, 77-36. The loss drops Tomahawk's record to 2-19 on the season and 0-11 in Great Northern Conference play. The loss by the Hatchets is also their 13th straight. Tomahawk is back on the court Tuesday in Antigo. Tip is at 5:45 PM.

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