'Tackling machine': Badgers commit, breaks Wisconsin high school state tackling record

 

GERMANTOWN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A state high school record fell during high school football action in Week 5.

Germantown senior Cooper Catalano became the state's all-time leading tackler. With eight tackles in a 21-7 win against Brookfield East, Catalano now stands at 467 career tackles. Catalano passes Andy Borchardt of Edgar and Brody Milz of Black Hawk who both shared the record with 462 tackles according to records kept by Kevin Patrowsky.

Catalano is a four-year player at Germantown with 120 tackles as a freshman, 147 as a sophomore, and 138 last season. He committed to the Wisconsin Badgers last fall.

Catalano says he became aware of the record because of some of the social media buzz around it, but he's always cared more about team goals.

"It was super cool. I think it’s a great testament to all the great players and coaches I've been with the last four years," said Catalano. "I can't make tackles without my D-Line doing their job. Without defensive coordinators calling the right plays, Linebacker coaches putting in the work in the offseason with us. It was really an overall team and program accomplishment."

"He's the kinda person you want in the record books because he's just an overall good human being and that's the awesome part about it aside from the athletic standpoint, but he's also a tackling machine to top that off," said Jake Davis, Germantown's head coach. "A record of that magnitude - that kinda thing is really special."

Catalano just wants his team to stay injury free the rest of the season and make a push for a deep playoff run. The Warhawks next host Muskego Friday, Sept. 27th, in a cross-conference matchup.