By: Matt Scher, matts@977thebolt.com
Humboldt, IA – The Humboldt Wildcats are less than two weeks away from opening the 2026 football season.
Humboldt will travel to Spencer on August 28th to open the season after finishing 4-5 a year ago and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
Head Coach Derrick Elman says the Wildcats have had a competitive opening week of practice, with the offensive and defensive lines standing out early.
“I feel like we’ve had a really, really competitive week of practice. Kids have worked really, really hard.”
Elman says Humboldt has also seen good things from its skill-position players as the team continues to prepare for the season.
The Wildcats have several positions up for grabs following the graduation of key players from last year’s team. Hellman says there are still plenty of competitions taking place, including at quarterback, receiver, along the line and at linebacker.
“In some of those spots, there’s really not a clear-cut leader.”
The coaching staff expects next week’s scrimmage to help determine where the Wildcats stand at those positions.
Despite the youth and competition for starting spots, Humboldt does return several experienced players.
Starter Broedy Hedricks is back for his fourth year, along with linebacker and offensive lineman Griffin Groat, running back Cash McIntire and two-way starter Jaxson Kirchhoff. The Wildcats also add Joe Constable, a two-year starter at Fort Dodge, to the offensive and defensive lines.
Humboldt will get its first opportunity to compete against other teams this week at a three-team scrimmage at Fort Dodge featuring Humboldt, Fort Dodge and Nevada. Elman says the scrimmage will provide valuable preparation because all three teams use similar defensive fronts.
“We’re really going to see three teams that all run three-man fronts, so we can practice against our own defense all week long.”
Elman says Nevada will also provide Humboldt’s defense with a familiar offensive look, while Fort Dodge will give the Wildcats a different offensive challenge. The experience should give Humboldt a better indication of where the team stands heading into the regular season.
The Wildcats open the 2026 season August 28th at Spencer. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.