SSI Football Friday: Siouxland Area Players 2 Know Prior To Kickoff!

The 2026 HS Football Season officially begins on August 10th just 45 short days away when teams

host the first day of practice. Here are some key players and potential new comers for each team listed.

The Warriors of head coach Justin Smith will be inserting junior QB Justin Ehlers 6-0 (190) behind center as the new QB to run Coach Smith's ground oriented attack. Ehlers has great speed having run a (10.9) 100-M this spring during track. I also believe he is very capable as a passer which will require some receivers who can impact the passing game. Senior WR Gavin Ahrendt 6-5 (200) is a nice downfield and red-zone target. A pair of sophomore names to watch are WR Brody Wegher 6-2 (180) and Slot Jacobi Cofield 6-0 (165).

The Huskies of head coach Jake Terry have a proven RB in junior Aiden Hammitt 6-2 (195) who rushed for (882) yards and (8) scores and also had (350) yards receiving out of the backfield to go with (5) touchdowns. Senior RB Brody VanRoekel returns after rushing for (592) yards and (10) touchdowns and collecting (44.5) tackles and (5.5) TFL on defense. Senior Levi Hanson returns at QB. Experienced senior LB Caleb Heuertz 6-1 (200) is back after leading the team in tackles last fall with (57.5) tackles and (4.5) TFL. The Huskies also have one of the best linemen in the state of South Dakota with junior Addison Peterson 6-3 (305) who is a D1 prospect.

The Bishop Heelan Crusaders of head coach Jon LaFleur will showcase some kids with solid varsity experience. The impact playmaker on both sides of the football is senior WR/CB Grant Whitcomb who finished with (24) receptions for (572) yards and finished with (6) picks and (17.5) tackles on defense. Senior OL Max Tew 6-0 (240) returns up front at center to anchor the Crusader line.

Defensive linemen senior Max Aesoph 6-1 (220) returns at DE coming off a season which saw him post (43.5) tackles and (8.5) TFL. Junior Dylan Knapp returns following a (55.5) tackle season last fall. Senior flanker Prince Weagbah is back in the huddle after (17) receptions for (267) yards and will likely see an expanded role this season in the passing game. Senior QB Eli Mielke 6-4 (215) will take over behind center. One name to keep an eye on is sophomore Appley Rees 6-2 (175) at LB who has a bright future ahead of him.