2026 Team Preview: Bishop Heelan Crusaders

Over the last 3 seasons, Bishop Heelan has experienced a resurgence in their performance, winning a combined 27 games, surpassing their combined win total from between 2016 and 2022. However, after finishing as the 3A runner-ups in 2025, the Crusaders may be heading into rebuild mode in 2026 after the loss of several key starters from the previous season, including starting QB Noah Conley and 4-star LB/RB prospect Kasen Thomas, both of whom graduated this offseason. The Crusaders will retain a strong group that should keep them afloat in 2026, but they may face an uphill battle trying to fill these massive voids left behind, though not enough to eliminate them from contention in the conference.   We take a look today at 7 starters for this Crusaders' unit to keep an eye on in 2026!    [player_tooltip player_id='1685735' first='Eli' last='Mielke'] will be responsible for filling in the void at the QB position in 2026 following the departure of Conley, and he's been generating significant buzz as he enters his senior campaign as the starter for the Crusaders. Mielke threw just 19 total passes on varsity as a junior, but the potential is undeniable, flashing outstanding throwing power and is able to fit the ball through some very tight windows, but the biggest benefactor will be his effectiveness as a dual-threat, being able to scramble out of the pocket and create big plays with his legs. The hype is warranted, and I'm excited to see what Mielke will do leading the varsity lineup.     Without a doubt, [player_tooltip player_id='1906706' first='Grant' last='Whitcomb'] will be the Crusaders' most proven X-Factor returning on their starting lineup from the 2025 season. Whitcomb made a huge impact on both sides of the ball, finishing as the team's leading receiver with 572 receiving yards on just 24 receptions (23.8 YPC) and 5 TDs. On defense, he added 17.5 tackles, 2 TFLs, 6 INTs, and 1 defensive TD. Showcasing a natural ability with his ball-tracking, his anticipation and quick hands allowed him to consistently excel as a ball-hawk in the secondary while possessing an impressive amount of speed to glide past defenders to make him a dangerous vertical threat on offense. Whitcomb boasts several D2 offers already, and his role for the Crusaders will very much remain vital toward their performance for this upcoming season.     Another returning piece in the secondary is [player_tooltip player_id='2061250' first='Dylan' last='Knapp'], who immediately stood out in his sophomore year as a deep middle defender. Knapp finished 4th on the team in tackles (55.5) while adding 2 TFLs, a FF, a fumble recovery, and an INT. Knapp's size and athleticism may better suit him at the Strong Safety position, being able to close down on the ball-carriers with quick speed while showcasing great range being able to cross sideline-to-sideline in a flash, making it difficult for players to beat him outside the perimeter on the run, and excelling as an open-field tackler. With some more size to his frame, Knapp could emerge to become quite the enforcer for the Crusaders' defense.     [player_tooltip player_id='2159918' first='Maxwell' last='Aesoph'] gives an edge on the trenches for the Crusaders, and is one of their most proficient starters from their defense returning in 2026. Aesoph recorded 43.5 total tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 4 sacks, 2 FFs, 2 fumble recoveries, and an INT last season. A potent and well-polished DE who's able to set the Edge and disrupt the pass in multiple different ways, Aesoph is able to change directions and shed off blockers quickly to shift himself in the direction of where the ball is going to run into their path, showcasing a barrage of pass-rush moves while possessing the strength to leverage through blockers attacking their inside shoulder as well. Aesoph should once again be a huge problem for opposing offenses in the pass-rush.     While a bit undersized as an OL prospect, [player_tooltip player_id='1687018' first='Max' last='Tew'] makes up for his smaller frame with great mechanics and impressive strength to hold his own as the Crusaders' Center. A steady blocker who maintains a wide base and stays low against his opponents, Tew is consistently able to get underneat the defender to match their pad-level and attack at the chest, showcasing an impressive amount of raw power to drive defenders backward against both the pass and the run. Tew will enter his senior season as likely the leader of their offensive-line, and despite his size, holds an array of offers to play at the NAIA level after high school, signaling a bright future for the Center.     Big things can come in little packages, and undersized athlete [player_tooltip player_id='2053861' first='Jonathon' last='Hope'] has proven to be a dangerous all-purpose factor for the Crusaders. Offensively, he had 19 receptions for 237 yards and 3 TDs. Defensively, he recorded 48 tackles and 3 INTs. He also racked up 622 combined return yards on special teams while scoring 2 kick return TDs. An exciting multi-purpose tool who flashes a combination of speed, agility, and ball-tracking skills, Hope is dangerous in the open-field, and he has a penchant for making big plays in the big games, evident with a crushing kick-return TD in the state semifinal round against Wahlert Catholic. Hope rounds out an impressive secondary unit for the Crusaders while being able to make big contributions at all three phases of the game.     [player_tooltip player_id='1906718' first='Prince' last='Weagbah'] adds himself among the Crusaders' receiving corps that should make things comfortable for their new starting QB entering the 2026 season. Weagbah recorded 17 receptions for 267 yards (15.7 YPC) and a receiving TD during the 2025 season. Flashing impressive potential as a medium-to-deep threat, Weagbah shows capable of making some impressive circus catches, twisting his body to the ball through tight 1-on-1 coverage, flashing a strong high-point and wide catching radius, and taking long strides after the catch to distance himself from the secondary. Weagbah flashes a lot of explosive potential, and he could become a key piece of their passing game working with their new signal caller under Center for the varsity team in 2026.

Over the last 3 seasons, Bishop Heelan has experienced a resurgence in their performance, winning a combined 27 games, surpassing their combined win total from between 2016 and 2022. However, after finishing as the 3A runner-ups in 2025, the Crusaders may be heading into rebuild mode in 2026 after the loss of several key starters from the previous season, including starting QB Noah Conley and 4-star LB/RB prospect Kasen Thomas, both of whom graduated this offseason. The Crusaders will retain a strong group that should keep them afloat in 2026, but they may face an uphill battle trying to fill these massive voids left behind, though not enough to eliminate them from contention in the conference.