Milton’s Jake Cummins scores against Janesville Craig in August 2024. Cummins is expected to take over as Red Hawk quarterback as 2025 high school football practice starts today.
Milton’s Jake Cummins celebrates with his teammates after intercepting a pass and securing their 10-7 home victory over Janesville Craig on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.
Milton’s Jake Cummins makes the catch for a touchdown in the second half of the Red Hawks' WIAA Division 2 quarterfinal playoff game against Badger High School in Lake Geneva on Friday, Nov. 8. The No. 1-seeded Badgers defeated the Milton Red Hawks, 42-22. 2025 high school football practice starts today.
Milton shortstop Jake Cummins makes a throw from deep in the hole in the 2025 WIAA baseball playoffs. Cummins will play quarterback for the Red Hawks this fall and will play baseball for UW-Milwaukee after graduating from Milton.
Milton’s Tyler Zeal connects on a pass with Jake Cummins in the first half its WIAA Division 2 quarterfinal playoff game against Badger High School in Lake Geneva on Friday, Nov. 8. The No. 1-seeded Badgers defeated the Milton Red Hawks, 42-22.
Milton’s Tyler Zeal connects on a pass with Jake Cummins in the first half its WIAA Division 2 quarterfinal playoff game against Badger High School in Lake Geneva on Friday, Nov. 8. The No. 1-seeded Badgers defeated the Milton Red Hawks, 42-22.
Milton’s Jake Cummins scores against Janesville Craig in August 2024. Cummins is expected to take over as Red Hawk quarterback as 2025 high school football practice starts today.
ANTHONY WAHL/SPECIAL FOR THE GAZETTE
MILTON — Jake Cummins was unsure what the future would hold when he broke his right wrist and thumb in a car accident in February 2024 during his sophomore year.
Being a talented baseball player who would eventually go on to receive an offer from UW-Milwaukee and a high school quarterback, an injury to his throwing arm could have been detrimental.
“It’s always scary especially because it’s my throwing hand and I couldn’t throw all spring. I was worried that it wasn’t going to be the same or that I wouldn’t be able to throw,” Cummins said.
So he got to work rehabbing the injury. He spent a lot of time with lead Milton Athletic Trainer Jeremy Clausen.
Milton’s Jake Cummins celebrates with his teammates after intercepting a pass and securing their 10-7 home victory over Janesville Craig on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.
ANTHONY WAHL/SPECIAL FOR THE GAZETTE
“It was a lot of sitting around and just working on my grip strength,” Cummins said of the recovery process.
Cummins would miss most of his sophomore season of baseball. When ready, he was limited to being used as a pinch runner when the Red Hawks lost, 5-3, to Lake Geneva in a regional final game May 30, 2024 but Cummins stole two bases.
In total, the recovery time was roughly two and a half months. Far from a tedious process but it was still a time filled with uncertainty for Cummins.
Milton’s Jake Cummins makes the catch for a touchdown in the second half of the Red Hawks' WIAA Division 2 quarterfinal playoff game against Badger High School in Lake Geneva on Friday, Nov. 8. The No. 1-seeded Badgers defeated the Milton Red Hawks, 42-22. 2025 high school football practice starts today.
ANTHONY WAHL/SPECIAL FOR THE GAZETTE
When the 2024 football season began, Cummins was ready to go. But he would have to wait one more year as the starting quarterback job would go to senior Tyler Zeal.
Instead, Cummins caught 20 passes for 343 yards as a wide receiver. On defense, he made 24 tackles and led the team with five interceptions.
After the season, head coach Dan Prahl approached Cummins about playing quarterback or remain a defensive back.
“I knew it was kind of my job to lose, especially with Zeal leaving. And I was ready to step up,” Cummins said. “I just want to be a leader, and be one that guys can trust.”
Luckily for Cummins, he’ll have the shifty running back senior Charlie Fitzke to take some pressure off of him.
Milton shortstop Jake Cummins makes a throw from deep in the hole in the 2025 WIAA baseball playoffs. Cummins will play quarterback for the Red Hawks this fall and will play baseball for UW-Milwaukee after graduating from Milton.
DAVID SHEEN/SPECIAL FOR THE GAZETTE
Last season, Fitzke rushed for 750 yards on 159 attempts. Fitzke also caught 10 passes for 127 yards.
“If we can run the ball the whole time on the field with Charlie Fitzke I’m fine with that,” Cummins said.
The Red Hawks are set to have a scrimmage against Janesville Parker at Schilberg Park at 10 a.m. on Aug. 15. Their first game is against Watertown at Milton High School on Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.
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