Wildcats will factor in wide open district football race
Returning lettermen for the Wildcat football team, front row (l-r): Jacob Girres, Karson Rubel, Chase Flaherty, Coen Matson, Peyton Pedersen and Jackson Flaherty. Middle row: Tristen Strait, Brandon Swanson, Cyler Cirks, Trey Al-Hameed, Mason Van Pelt, Broedy Hendricks and Zane McIntire. Back row: Jack Guy, Keegan Groat, Kamdyn Haggard, Jackson Dodd, Syler Brown, Parker Sleiter, Landon Halverson and Cael Donahe. Independent photo. See this photo and more at www.humboldtnews.com.
In 2023, Humboldt head football coach Derrick Elman and his veteran staff found a way to overcome a 2-2 start with one of the toughest schedules in the state and earn a spot in the Class 3A state playoffs competing in one of the toughest districts in the state.
The Wildcats went 3-2 in district play and ended up 5-5 overall, bowing in the first round of the playoffs to eventual state champion Williamsburg.
The schedule and Class 3A District 2 look just as formidable, but Humboldt, thanks to the return of 21 letterwinners, will factor into how the race will end up in late October.
The Wildcats face Spencer, Ballard-Huxley, Van Meter and North Polk on consecutive Fridays before starting district play at Hampton on Sept. 27. Charles City, Algona, Clear Lake and Webster City loom on the horizon.
“We have some great North Central Conference rivalries in the district. If you look at our non-district schedule and line it up against others across the state, I feel like we have the toughest non-district schedule in 3A,” Elman said.
“In 3A-2 we start out with Hampton-Dumont and then play Charles City and Algona. Hampton had a winning season last year and Algona thinks they can be good enough to play in the dome come November. Webster City is always tough. I think our district is going to be a buzzsaw and it will come down to some week nine games, like it did last year in determining who wins the district title,” Elman said.
“Last year we started off 2-2 and because of what our players did for us to earn a playoff spot, for me as a coach I can tell you it was definitely earned. Our kids can take pride in that trophy. We had some great games against some great opponents last year,” Elman said.
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2024 HUMBOLDT FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Aug. 30 at Spencer
Sept. 6 Ballard-Huxley
Sept. 13 at Van Meter
Sept. 20 North Polk
Sept. 27 at Hampton-DC
Oct. 4 Charles City
Oct. 11 Algona
Oct. 18 at Clear Lake
Oct. 25 Webster City
Nov. 1 1st round playoffs
JUNIOR VARSITY SCHEDULE
Sept. 2 Spencer
Sept. 9 at Ballard Huxley
Sept. 16 at Carroll Kuemper
Sept. 23 at North Polk
Oct. 7 at Charles City
Oct. 13 at Algona
Oct. 21 Clear Lake
FRESHMAN SCHEDULE
Aug. 30 at Spencer
Sept. 6 Ballard-Huxley
Sept. 13 at Van Meter
Sept. 20 North Polk
Sept. 27 at Hampton-DC
Oct. 4 Charles City
Oct. 11 Algona
Oct. 18 at Clear Lake
Oct. 25 Webster City
