Wildcats will battle in wide open district race
Humboldt's returning letter winners, front row (l-r): Mason Van Pelt, Gaige Allen, Corey Dettmann and Coen Matson. Middle row: Peyton Pedersen, Keegan Groat, Lance Coon, Grant Dieleman and Cael Newell. Back row: Landon Halverson, Mason Brown, Jackson Dodd and Keegan Rasmussen. Not pictured, Parker Sleiter. Independent photo.
Humboldt returns 14 lettermen
Humboldt sixth-year head football coach Derrick Elman knows he’ll be hard-pressed to repeat the success of the last two seasons where the Wildcats won the Class 3A District 2 title and advanced to the semifinals of the state playoffs.
Humboldt was a combined 21-3 in 2021 and 2022. While graduation losses were heavy, the Wildcats set a standard that the 2023 squad is eager to embrace the challenge ahead.
“When you lose 21 seniors like we did last year, 19 the year before, when you lose that many kids over a two-year period, and a lot of those kids had major roles on the team, it leaves a lot of question marks,” Elman said.
“But last year we had a lot of question marks at this time, too, and moving forward, knowing that we have created a standard here, where that standard includes hard work in the off-season, playing multiple sports, being a great teammate, setting your expectations high, I think that has definitely rolled off into all of our sports,” Elman said.
“At Humboldt the expectation is that we are going to outwork people. It’s fun to see the kids come to weight and speed training sessions and work hard. They work their tails off in other sports and they show up for weight sessions. However it worked, kids were showing up in whatever capacity they could to make themselves better,” Elman said.
“We return four guys with starting experience on the offensive side of the ball and four guys with starting experience on defense. It makes it tough, but in the same way, you know the kids have worked hard and it’s their turn to step up,” Elman said.
“This year’s seniors who played on JV, it’s their turn now. The juniors and sophomores who played last year on ninth grade or JV, it’s their opportunity as well,” Elman said. “I’m excited to see what that opportunity brings for them.”
One of the top returners for Humboldt is senior running back Lance Coon. Coon, a rugged 190-pounder who combines speed and power, was a first-team all-state pick after he rushed for 1,566 yards and 21 touchdowns. He averaged 7.2 yards per carry. He also caught six passes for 56 yards. Coon, however, won't be available until at least midway through the season as he recovers from a broken metacarpal in his right hand which occurred in the Wildcats' scrimmage at Fort Dodge on Aug. 18.
Humboldt opens its season at home on Friday night, Aug. 25. Kickoff is now at 7:30 p.m., following the freshman game, which starts at 5 p.m.
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2023 HUMBOLDT FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Aug. 25 Spencer
Sept. 1 at Ballard-Huxley
Sept. 8 Van Meter
Sept. 15 at North Polk
Sept. 22 Hampton-DC
Sept. 19 at Charles City
Oct. 6 at Algona
Oct. 13 Clear Lake
Oct. 20 at Webster City
Oct. 27 1st round playoffs
JUNIOR VARSITY SCHEDULE
Aug. 28 at Spencer
Sept. 4 Ballard Huxley
Sept. 11 Carroll Kuemper
Sept. 18 North Polk
Oct. 2 Charles City
Oct. 9 Algona
Oct. 16 at Clear Lake
FRESHMAN SCHEDULE
Aug. 25 Spencer
Sept. 1 at Ballard-Huxley
Sept. 8 Van Meter
Sept. 15 at North Polk
Sept. 22 Hampton-DC
Sept. 29 at Charles City
Oct. 6 at Algona
Oct. 13 Clear Lake
Oct. 20 at Webster City
TEAM ROSTER
Seniors: Lance Coon. Mason Brown. Carson Sleiter. Braden Axtell. Corey Dettmann. Grant Dieleman. Jayden Lane. Cael Newell. Keagen Rasmussen. Carson Arndt. Ethan Kunert.
Juniors: Cyler Cirks. Coen Matson. Mason Van Pelt. Jackson Dodd. Owen Heider. Landon Halverson. Keegan Groat. Peyton Pedersen. Trey Al-Hameed. Gabe Flatau. Parker Sleiter. Alex Armitage. Thain Sestrak. Carter Nostrom.
Sophomores: Zach Theesfeld. Cael Donahe. Karson Rubel. Shawn Hilton. Nolan Townsend. Jonny Hayden. Zane McIntire. Braiden Swanson. Jacob Girres. Noah Axtell. Joseph Keenan. Turner Hansen. Kaden Edge. Donovan Box. Tristen Strait.
Freshmen: Yahel Sanchez, Noah Lange, Aiden Rousseau, James Ellis, Weston Vik, Nate Clark, Draven Harklau, Jacob Johnson, Nico Christensen, Levi Rieck, Griffin Groat, Kaysie Nilles, Kiera Anderson, Cooper Theesfeld, Carter Reed, Karter Simonson, Cash McIntire and Angel Ruelas.
