Spring Valley’s Maxx Wittmer and Elmwood/Plum City’s Brett Kopp and Owen Kober each signed to play college football when the signing window opened up Feb. 4. Wittmer is headed to Division II Minnesota State University Moorhead, Kopp signed with Division II Sioux Falls and Kober is staying home to join Division III National Champion River Falls.

Kober

Kober is an honor roll student, a three-year starter and a captain for EPC. The six-foot, 205-pound running back and linebacker picked up three rushing touchdowns on the year. There is already precedence of EPC athletes at UWRF, as running back Trevor Asher and lineman Payton Kopp were each part of the title-winning team.

“A lot went into it, but it really came down to finding the best overall fit. I was looking for a place where I felt comfortable with the coaching staff, believed in the program’s vision and knew I’d be pushed to get better every day. UWRF was the first to reach out and offer me, and after visiting and building relationships at UWRF, it felt like the right place to take the next step,” Kober said.

Making the signing official served as a celebration for a lifetime of hard work to get to the collegiate level.

“It was unreal. Signing made everything feel real after years of putting in work day in and day out. Off-season to in-season. I was grateful and blessed for the opportunity and for everyone who supported me—my family, coaches, teammates and friends. It was a big step toward the next level, and I’m really looking forward to this next chapter.”

Kober has plenty of experience in being a leader for the Wolves for years, and now he will look to represent in front of rowdy crowds for the defending champions.

“I know the college level is a big jump, so it will take adjusting to the standards set by the program, along with discipline, consistency and a willingness to learn. On the field, it’s about competing every day in practice and games. Off the field, it’s balancing academics, athletics and staying healthy. I’m excited and ready for the challenge,” Kober said.

Kopp

Kopp has been a key piece to the offensive and defensive lines at EPC, earning Academic All-State honors in 2025. The six-foot-five, 310-pound offensive lineman is highly regarded in Wisconsin’s recruiting pools and is expected to make a big impact on and off the field at Sioux Falls.

“A lot of prayer went into my college decision. It was tough to go through all of the recruiting process, especially as an early commit, but at the end of the day looking at the culture at Sioux Falls and the future they have ahead is promising. Spending time with the team on visits just solidified that and knowing that God has a plan for me guided me to Sioux Falls,” Kopp said.

Kopp knows there will be a lot of eyes on him, but that is nothing new. During the season, EPC Coach Mike Birtzer praised Kopp for his work ethic and said no one has outworked him in the weight room in recent years.

“Making the transition [to college] requires work. I’ve already received lifts from USF and they are rough, but just keeping my nose to the grindstone and working my butt off to get out there and make a difference wherever I can,” Kopp said. “Emotions were high putting pen to paper. A lot of thoughts of if it was the right choice or not but I know that God has big plans for me out in Sioux Falls and I just wanted to honor and follow His guidance.”

While EPC is saying goodbye to one of its leaders, he will still be representing EPC each and every day.

“High school has meant so much to me. I owe it to the communities of Elmwood and Plum City for showing up and supporting me and my teammates through everything. My coaches and teachers mentoring me to go out and follow my heart, especially Coach Saniter helping in the weight room and Mr. Hook guiding me to an English major and mentoring me to be a better athlete. My favorite memory is working out with my team and running film sessions on Friday mornings before the game,” Kopp said.

Wittmer

Wittmer has gone through his share of bumps in the road, at one point thinking college football was out of the picture, working hard to get to the top and battling through a torn labrum to lead the Cardinal offensive line into battle.

“It was a crazy feeling. I was excited and proud, but it was also emotional because I know how much went into it. I played my senior season with a torn labrum and pushed through a lot of pain to finish the year. After surgery, it really hit me how much I sacrificed for the game and how grateful I am that I get to keep playing at the next level. Signing felt like a huge moment for me and my family, and it made me even more motivated because now it’s time to go earn it all over again,” Wittmer said.

Wittmer had a lot of people to thank, including coaches, Ryan Kapping, Jeff Thompson, Troy Rudesill, Sean Hoolihan, Sean Borgerding and former coach Holton. He also thanked former NFL lineman Lewis Kidd at Training Haus and ETS for helping him along the way.

“A lot went into [the decision]. We attended a lot of junior days last spring and I went to a lot of camps last summer to try to find the right fit. We traveled a lot of miles across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota meeting coaches and going to camps. That whole process helped me figure out what kind of program felt right for me. In the end, it came down to the relationships I built with the coaches, the culture of the program, and knowing I was choosing a place where I could grow as a player and a person,” Wittmer said.

Wittmer has been a part of some special teams, including conference titles in 2022 and 2024. His story has been one of the work being put in, and he is excited to start back at level one at the collegiate level.

“I know the college level is a whole different speed and it’s going to take a lot of discipline and consistency every day. On the field, I have to keep getting stronger, faster and sharper with technique, and I know I’m going to have to earn everything. Off the field, it’s going to be about handling my time, staying on top of school and staying focused,” Wittmer said.

He will forever look back fondly on his time at Spring Valley and hopes the youth at Spring Valley can use his story as motivation to go on the same journey he did.

“High school football has meant everything to me. It’s been a lot of hard work, a lot of ups and downs, and honestly a lot of battling through stuff people don’t always see. My favorite memories are the Friday nights with my teammates and the feeling of our community and my family behind me. I’ll never forget the locker room, the practices and the bond with the guys through every year. Spring Valley football has been a huge part of who I am,” Wittmer said.