MERKEL — When examining the 2026 Merkel football team two things become apparent: First, the Badgers will have their share of skill, including one of the area’s most athletic quarterbacks in junior Easton “Moose” Malone.
But secondly, Merkel will be smallish up front defensively, making the Badgers a target for teams that like to pound the football. And solving this potential dilemma could be the key for MHS to have a successful campaign.
In the meantime, the numbers are far from terrible. Third-year coach Wes Wood returns seven offensive and five defensive starters from last year’s 7-5 club that pushed two rounds deep into the playoffs. A modest 13 lettermen are back on a roster that is expected to be around 24 players, with incoming help from a solid 6-3-1 JV team.
BRECKENRIDGE — The late great NFL coach George Allen once said that “there’s no substitute for experience.” His track record proved him correct, since he continually loaded his roster with aging players, yet never once suffered a losing record in 12 seasons of coaching in the NFL.
MASON — Football coaches love players who can play several different roles when called upon. And why shouldn’t they? Any player who can lend a significant amount of depth and flexibility all by themselves are keepers in any sport — so much so, that the term “Swiss Army Knife” is now a common way to describe them. 
MASON — Since 2010, the Mason Punchers have posted 12 seasons with 10 wins or more, 16 district titles and two state championships. 
HAWLEY — In high school football, there are standard move-ins during the off-season. And then there are move-ins — players who bring a little extra to the table, both in terms of physical ability and knowledge. 
HAWLEY — When Hawley coach Mitch Ables feels good about the team he’s returning prior to a season, he should be taken seriously. Unless, of course, one wants to discount the 126-34 record and one state title he’s posted in 12 seasons with the Bearcats. 
CISCO — When the Cisco Loboes lost talented juniors Garrett Offutt and Hudson Hernandez last year to collarbone injuries, it was actually worse than it appeared. Cisco wasn’t just losing two starters, it was actually losing four, since both players played both ways — Offutt doubling as an OL/DL and Hernandez doubling as a LB/FB. 
CISCO — In the eyes of many, the 2026 Cisco Loboes are a team with a legitimate shot at reaching the state championship game in Arlington. 
ALBANY — The dean Big Country coaches is back at it again. 
ALBANY — With only five offensive and four defensive starters back among just 13 lettermen, there will be a lot of fresh young faces in the Albany camp in 2026. And despite their being some promising young talent on hand, veteran coach Denney Faith isn’t making any assumptions heading into this season. 
Seymour coach Tarrington Rivers is a man with Big Country ties, having coached under Rocky Smart at Clyde.
SEYMOUR — One of the new members of the Big Country Preps family, Seymour has reason for optimism heading into the 2026 campaign after battling through a 2-8 season with a young club last season. 
HASKELL — At 5-11 and 185 pounds, He’s not the biggest linebacker in the area, not by a long shot. Nor is he the fastest, with a solid-but-not-blazing 40 time of 4.7. 
HASKELL — The numbers aren’t overwhelming, but there’s reason for optimism in the Haskell camp in 2026.
