Football: Minnewaska Lakers will have a very different look in '26

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Sep. 1—GLENWOOD — The Minnewaska football team is going to look quite different in 2026.

The Lakers are coming off a 6-4 campaign in 2025. That included the No. 2 seed in the Section 8AAA playoffs where they fell to Thief River Falls 28-21 in the semifinals.

But, many of Minnewaska's key players from 2025 have graduated. That includes All-Area linebacker Kearri Dickens, who had 79 tackles, 10 sacks, 19 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles. Also gone are Asante Adams, Marc Gruber, Riley Dell, Tristan O'Neil and Luke Danielson.

But, there are five players back with starting experience from last season.

That group is led by senior Miles Wildman. The All-Area defensive back had 40 tackles, two interceptions and four pass breakups. He also averaged 13.4 yards per carry at running back. Standing at 5-foot-7 and 170 pounds, Wildman put up a team-high 725 yards on 54 carries.

Wildman is also the team's top returning receiver. He had eight catches for 295 yards — 255 came after the catch — and four TDs.

Three senior linemen return in Jack Payne (5-11, 190), Gage Zenk (6-0, 185) and Preston Wilson (6-2, 245).

Senior Caleb Kath is projected to play at both quarterback and linebacker. Kath measures in at 6-5 and 190 pounds. Kath saw action in four games last season at QB, throwing for 45 yards and a touchdown.

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