Playing alongside Isaiah Groom was a great experience. He was a great leader on defense and offense. He showed the other players how to work hard on and off the field. He showed the players what it looked like to be in the weight room every day during the school year and over the summer. “I tried not to get into my [own] head, and focus on the team aspect of winning the game.” Groom is a team player and a great individual at football.
Isaiah Groom from Potosi/Cassville was fighting for the lead for the most tackles in Wisconsin throughout the 2024 football season. Groom had worked hard in the off-season by being in the weight room to prepare. Even though Isaiah had a great season individually, his main goal was to have a successful team. “My goal was to make it to state,” said Isaiah.
Isaiah gets nervous before games and tries to relax. “I just want to focus on the game and winning. I get motivated by winning and helping my team make big plays on offense and defense.”
Even though Groom’s main goal was team success, he still had his sights set on his own records too. “I feel like the work I've put in is paying off; I'm getting to see what I've done and have something to show for it,” said Isaiah.
Groom and Cooper Catalano of Germantown had been battling back and forth for the lead in tackles in Wisconsin. Groom averaged 13 to 14 tackles per game. After the level 2 playoffs, Catalano had the lead in tackles by 17 tackles. By the next week, Isaiah had taken the lead by one tackle, and throughout the rest of the playoffs, he continued to add to his stats, ending the season with 199 tackles and achieving the most tackles in the state of Wisconsin.
Isaiah broke the school record for the most tackles in one game against River Ridge. The previous record was 27 tackles by Brent Curtis. Groom had 32 tackles in one game against River Ridge in week four, and he had 30 tackles against Black Hawk Warren, Potosi-Cassville’s biggest rival, in week nine. “Beating the school record was pretty awesome and a great feeling. I finally get to see what I’ve done and have something to show for it.”
Groom accomplished many goals over his last season of football in his high school career. He finished the season with 199 tackles and was named WFCA First Team All-State for Divisions 4 through 7 at inside linebacker, while the team appeared in the state championship game.