Last season: 13-0, 8-Man Division II state champion

Hanover enters 2026 squarely in reload-not-rebuild mode after an undefeated title run in which the Wildcats averaged 47 points per game and allowed just 8.4. The staff credits experience, a relentless work ethic and strong focus for last year’s dominance and fully expects to “continue the winning tradition” with another championship-caliber group.

Head coach Matt Heuer (22nd year) returns five offensive starters, five defensive starters and 21 letterwinners, losing only six from the 2025 roster. The senior core features end/DB Hunter Kickhaefer, RB/LBs Kadrick Cohorst and Brody Sedlacek, lineman Max Dragastin and end/DB Lanxden Stallbaumer, with juniors Cooper Bruna (RB/LB) and Jack Bruna (WR/DB) adding proven punch.

Offensively, Hanover again leans on balance and versatility. Cohorst is back at quarterback with dual-threat ability, leadership and poise in big moments, backed by solid depth. Bruna headlines a deep running back room, joined by Sedlacek, Ryder Sedlacek and Kickhaefer, while Sedlacek, Kickhaefer, Stallbaumer, Bruna and Ian Schlabach give the Wildcats a deep, dynamic receiver group. Dragastin anchors the line, with competition from Will Luppen, Michael Cook and others to rebuild a physical front.

Defensively, Hanover has pieces at every level. Sedlacek, Dragastin, Luppen, Cook and Wyatt Simpson form the core of a new-look front, while linebacker is “extremely deep” with Sedlacek, Cohorst, Bruna, Ryder Sedlacek and Schlabach. In the secondary, Kickhaefer, Stallbaumer and Bruna return significant experience.

The staff believes “the sky is the limit” if this group maintains the hunger, discipline and detail that put Hanover back among the elites, with a schedule that again runs through traditional powers before the postseason.

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