Prairie du Chien Area Special Olympics has formed its first-ever flag football team, and in just a few weeks, they have a chance to compete at the Wisconsin State Tournament, which will be held in DeForest at the State Tournament Sports Complex on Sept. 19 and 20.
The Prairie du Chien Pulverizers roster includes five athletes: Aiden Knight, Kevin Thein, Nyia Houghton, Ole Peterson and Alex Bartels. Mike Ulrich and Steve Van Kooten make up the coaching staff. All of the athletes and coaches were part of the 2026 basketball team. The team meets twice a week and practices at Lochner Park.
According to Ulrich, the Pulverizers are the only team in Special Olympics’s Western Wisconsin Region.
“I thought we could provide a sport that Prairie athletes haven’t done before,” said Ulrich. “I like football, so it made sense to give it a try. It’s different — I wanted to be outside, and I thought this was going to be fun.”
Peterson said he hasn’t played flag football since the early 90s; however, the team’s familiarity with each other has made a difference.
“We have to work on our teamwork and build on what we’ve got already,” he said. “So far, so good. When we’re having fun, we’re having fun.”
“It’s pretty fun,” said Houghton. “It’s more running than you do in basketball… I like the running part and taking the flags off of people.”
“It’s interesting because we’re all coming from scratch,” said Ulrich, “so to be able to teach that to these guys is the most fun part of it.”
The team played their first games against the Sauk County Special Olympics program at Riverdale High School’s football field this past Wednesday, Sept. 2, in preparation for their trip to state, where more than a dozen programs are seeking a championship win.
According to Ulrich, the Riverdale High School Football Team shook hands and wished all of the athletes on both sides good luck prior to their scrimmage.
The Pulverizers won the first game 13-12. Bartels scored on a 10-yard touchdown pass, with Houghton successfully completing a two-point conversion. Thein clinched the victory with an interception returned for a touchdown.
The Pulverizers lost the second game 12-6 in what Coach Ulrich called a defensive battle. Peterson made two interceptions, including one returned for a defensive touchdown.
With State on the horizon, Ulrich hopes his team will get a chance to compete and demonstrate what they’ve learned over the past month and a half. “I don’t know what to expect. I don’t know what the other team is going to do, but that’s part of the fun of it. If we just compete and have fun, that’s what I care about.”
Ulrich also said the team owes a thank you to Prairie Pulverizing and the local Walmart for providing uniforms and equipment to get the program started.
“Those guys are super sponsors, and it makes it possible for us to do more things and step up,” said Ulrich. “Money’s short everywhere, but if you’re able to find people like Prairie Pulverizing and Walmart who are willing to sponsor and help out, it’s a win-win for everybody.”
The PdC Special Olympics has also been busy fundraising for their various programs, which include basketball, bowling and, naturally, flag football. Recently, the program held its 5th Annual Disc Golf Tournament, which raised $200.
Austin Doda and Landon Thiry won first place in the adult and youth divisions, respectively. Sponsors for the event included Sports World, Supreme Graphics, Wicked Expressions Tattoo and Ole Peterson.
Special Olympics Football is constantly looking for support through donations or volunteering. For more information on how you can help support PdC's first football program or other needs, please call 608-412-4556.
