2026 Team Preview: Humboldt Wildcats

Coming off a 11-2 season and coming one game short of winning the 3A championship, the Humboldt Wildcats took several steps backward in 2025, even despite retaining several key starters from that runner-up season, but an inconsistent run-game and the loss of Coen Matson under Center caused the offense to stumble with peaks and valleys, and ultimately missed the playoffs with a 4-5 record, which also marked the Wildcats' first losing season since 2019. The Wildcats' battle to restore their competitive edge in the conference may be tricky, and they will undergo another change at the QB position entering the 2026 season, but once again, they will benefit with a strong group of returning starters that should help pave the way for success.   We take a look at 7 starters that should lead the way for the Wildcats entering the 2026 season!    The obvious centerpiece for the Wildcats' offense entering 2026 is [player_tooltip player_id='1616430' first='Cash' last='McIntire'], who carried the run-game as the Wildcats' go-to RB. McIntire finished with 822 rushing yards (6 YPC) and 9 TDs on the ground while adding 10 receptions for 156 yards and a receiving TD. A well-rounded back with impressive agility and a quick twitch to make defenders miss even when positioned right in front of him, McIntire also flashes great power and leg drive, running through contact, and often dragging multiple defenders with him for maximum yardage. McIntire will look to carry the offense with his legs once again in 2026.     [player_tooltip player_id='2082598' first='Dane' last='Clark'] didn't receive a ton of playing time on the varsity lineup in his sophomore year, but with his growing size and versatility, Clark should quickly earn his spot as a mainstay on both sides of the ball in 2026. Clark boasts the strength to both out-lever blockers around the Edge and keep Edge-rushers at bay while blocking both the run and the pass, while also boasting solid route-running skills and strong hands to extend his abilities as a pass-catching TE. Clark has already garnered serious attention, with D1 offers from South Dakota State, Northern Iowa, and Southern Illinois, and he's bound to receive plenty more over the coming 2 seasons.     [player_tooltip player_id='1197447' first='Broedy' last='Hendricks'] is certainly not a big-time prospect on the D-Line when it comes to size, but he makes up for it with his toughness and effectiveness on the Edge for the Wildcats' defense. Hendricks finished 2nd on the team last season with 47 total tackles, 8 TFLs, and 2 sacks. With the Wildcats' defense struggling to generate much pressure in 2025, Hendricks would ultimately prove most effective in this role, generating half of the team's sack total that year, though also being a notable step backward following an outstanding sophomore campaign. Hendricks flashes the physicality, agility, and speed to chase down the ball-carrier running toward the opposite end of the LOS, and he will look to recapture the magic from his sophomore season to round out his high school career.     [player_tooltip player_id='2251973' first='Griffin' last='Gloat'] holds the potential to be an effective leader in the makings for the Wildcats' defense. Gloat had a solid breakout season on the varsity lineup in 2025, finishing with 45 tackles, 4 TFLs, a sack, a FF, and a fumble recovery. An intriguing athlete who boasts the size and traits to play both Outside and Inside LB, Gloat plays a very physical game, shedding off blocks with ease, and finding his way in the path of the RB to shut him down while also flashing a knack for disrupting the pass with solid blitzing skills, showcasing great timing and power hitting the ball-carrier. Gloat's presence for the defense may loom even larger against his opponents through the 2026 season.     [player_tooltip player_id='2155650' first='Nash' last='Palmer'] flashes versatility for Humboldt's defense, possessing the skills to act as a solid LB/Safety enforcer that can guard the run and the pass with equal effectiveness. The one thing that stood out the most from his tape was his evident play-making ability, with jarring power and great tackling range outside the perimeter, Palmer is capable of creating a big play for the defense, being able to knock the ball out while flashing exceptional pass-coverage skills, being able to close the gap to the receiver quickly and can undercut the flats to rob a pass from the QB. Palmer's role should help bind the defensive unit as a whole as he enters his senior campaign.     [player_tooltip player_id='725163' first='Karter' last='Simonsen'] is still a work in progress for the Wildcats, seeing limited playing time on the varsity lineup, though he is primed to enter his senior season as a clear starter up front on the D-Line. Simonsen continues to flash impressive athleticism and strength on the trenches, as evident by his testing numbers, including a 365 lb max squat and a 5.1 40 yard time. Possessing the size and skillset to excel as a 4-3 DE, Simonsen will need to bring everything together his senior season to fully convince scouts that he is the real deal and will be capable of making the transition to the next level.     [player_tooltip player_id='1840838' first='Jaxson' last='Kirchhoff']'s role shifted in 2025, moving from RB to WR, and he is primed to become one of the top passing targets for Humboldt's offense in his senior season. Kirchhoff finished with 14 receptions for 140 yards and 2 TDs as a junior. His role in the backfield waned as the aforementioned McIntire dominated the reps in the backfield, but Kirchhoff's athleticism and speed transitioned well in the passing game, taking a unique role as he proves capable both in the slot and as a Wing who's reliable in the flats and can take off in a flash after the catch. Kirchhoff will look to make a big splash on offense in his senior season to help keep this unit afloat.

Coming off a 11-2 season and coming one game short of winning the 3A championship, the Humboldt Wildcats took several steps backward in 2025, even despite retaining several key starters from that runner-up season, but an inconsistent run-game and the loss of Coen Matson under Center caused the offense to stumble with peaks and valleys, and ultimately missed the playoffs with a 4-5 record, which also marked the Wildcats' first losing season since 2019. The Wildcats' battle to restore their competitive edge in the conference may be tricky, and they will undergo another change at the QB position entering the 2026 season, but once again, they will benefit with a strong group of returning starters that should help pave the way for success.