Wildcats will battle in wide open district race, coming off state runner-up season
Humboldt’s senior class this season, front row (l-r): Johnny Hayden, Jackson Flaherty and Jacob Girres. Second row: Zane McIntire, Chase Flaherty, Ayden Fiengo, Karson Rubel and Braiden Swanson. Third row: Kamdyn Haggard, Turner Hansen, Cael Donahe and Tristen Strait. Back row: Zach Theesfeld, Valley Davis, Jack Guy, Ray Flaugh and Spencer Burtch. Independent photo.
By Phil Monson
Coming off a state runner-up finish and a district title in 2024, Humboldt head football coach Derrick Elman fully expects a carryover from last year into the 2025 season.
lman begins his eighth season at the helm of a Wildcat team that returns plenty of speed and size from last year, where Humboldt won Class 3A District 2 with a 5-0 record and went 11-2 overall, falling to Dubuque Wahlert in the state championship.
“Every year in pre-season, it’s about how these guys come together,” Elman said.
“Last year’s group jelled so well. We talk about leaving the jerseys in a better place when you graduate. Last year’s seniors for sure left it in a better place but it’s not just about the program, but what the program does and how the kids build off of what the group before them did,” Elman said.
“As we close the door on 2024 and look at 2025, more than anything else the kids learn leadership and it’s evident already in what we are doing and how the kids are doing things, the effort we put into everything and how we attack the weight room,” Elman said.
“In the eight months since we played in that championship game, I can’t tell you how proud I am of the way our kids do things. The Monday after the championship game we had kids that rolled right into basketball and wrestling practice. Lifted weights Monday morning bright and early. They go run track or play soccer in the spring and baseball in the summer,” Elman said.
“More than anything else it’s a testament to being a multi-sport athlete. Success is built on success. If you have success in one thing it will help you in the next. The success of last year’s team got things rolling to where other sports had success because of what the senior class taught,” Elman said.
“I can’t say enough about those guys. But then again year in and year out if you have the next group step up like we have seen here in Humboldt in recent year, it’s awesome to see,” Elman said.
See full story in the Humboldt Independent. Subscribe today for print/digital access by selecting the link on this page to get started.
