Summer is gone in a flash and football is back. The crisp fall air may still be taking its time to return, but that is not going to stop each of the five county football teams from taking the field this weekend. Here’s what the coaches had to say ahead of week one:

What do you expect to be the team's identity this year?

Ellsworth Coach Rob Heller: This year we will have a young squad that is eager to make their mark on the Ellsworth Football Program. We have had a great summer in the weight room. We plan on controlling the pace of play throughout the game, being a disciplined football team that takes pride in playing the game the right way and continuing to play a tough physical brand of football.

Elmwood/Plum City Coach Mike Birtzer: We will be a very senior heavy team. We hope to be a balanced offense. Defensively we hope to use our speed and athletic ability to our advantage

Spring Valley Coach Ryan Kapping: We always strive to be a team that can run the ball effectively and take care of the football while playing really sound defensively and not giving up big plays.

Prescott Coach Jordan Hansen: We will be a ball control offense. We want to be able to control the clock by running the football and stopping the run on defense.

River Falls Coach Ryan Scherz: I'm not sure what our identity will be at this point, but if we want to be successful, we will have to be physical and disciplined. 

What will be the key to a successful season?

Heller: We will need to stay healthy if we are going to go on any kind of run this year. We have a ton of youth but will need to rely on the limited experience we have returning. We will also have to capitalize on our opponents' mistakes when they make them and minimize ours throughout the season as we have quite a few players making their varsity football debuts this season.

Birtzer: The development of our younger players: We have three sophomores that will contribute and I believe that they are ready. Our seniors all have a lot of varsity experience. They need to play to their potential. 

Kapping: We will have many players getting their first varsity experience and so the key for us will be to learn from the mistakes that we make and show improvement each week of the season.

Hansen: We have to stay healthy. Participation numbers are down but we have a veteran group that has varsity experience. Our success will be based on how healthy our team is throughout the season.

Scherz: We will be successful if we consistently do things the right way. If we practice and lift with intent. If we spend time watching film. If we keep the locker room clean and develop connections. Those are the keys.

Where have you seen the biggest improvements from last season?

Heller: This year's team seems to gel much better than teams from years past. They get along well, they are very coachable, they don't mind doing things that are challenging or difficult. They have done a great job throughout the summer of embracing the way uncomfortable feels. I think that should pay some dividends this year in an always tough Middle Border Conference.

Birtzer: The commitment to the off-season workouts. Hopefully, this translates to success on the field.

Kapping: We return some talented skill players and our overall team speed is improved from a year ago.

Hansen: Physicality. We have a lot of OL and DL back that have played varsity football. Throughout the summer and at the scrimmage that group has shown we can be a very physical group up front on both sides.

Scherz: We replace a lot of talent. Our goal is not to really compare anything to last season but to be the best version of the 2026 Wildcats.

Who are some players to watch?

Heller: Sawyer Van Horn is a returning All-Conference player who we will lean on heavily on both sides of the ball. Charles Huff is a two-time captain who we will need to keep healthy so he can finally have a positive impact ON the field rather than off. He is an exceptional leader. We are also looking to see some big plays from our quarterback Cooper Olson. He is a hard-nosed kid who loves the game of football and has big play potential. Gavin Wittenberg is a senior who has patiently waited his turn to be an impact player for us. He has some really great skills that should help Cooper out on offense and he has had a really good summer of camp and joint practices on defense. We are excited to see what the season holds for Gavin.

Birtzer: Every one of our seniors has the potential to be a solid player. Logan Auth, Jackson Drexler, Brewer Link, Joey Gonzalez, Landen McDonough, Teigen Bauer, Kramer Anderson, Brock Kober, Robbie Duffy. If they play to their ability, we will have a good season.

Kapping: Asher Turner is the top returning rusher in the league so he will be the focus of much of what we do offensively. Joining him in returning in the backfield are quarterback Mason Winger and running back Sam Schmitt. Braden Gregg is a returning first team All-Conference selection in the offensive and Isaac Koenning joins him in the line as well as handling the kicking duties. Jake Hannack and Isaiah Haug return as WRs and defensive backs.

Hansen: I’d have a hard time naming just one or two guys. Football is the ultimate team game, and the success of this team is going to depend on all 11 guys doing their job and doing it together. We have some guys who I think are ready to take a big step, but I’m more excited to see how this group comes together and what we can accomplish collectively.

Scherz: Nolan Hoepfl, Shawn Vorwald and Charlie Burke.

Compiled by Andrew Harrington