The return of high school football is just four days away. Here are four players to watch from every local high school football team.
Clinton Prairie
Gaige Kuzmicz, Sr, QB – Kuzmicz split time at quarterback last year with Brady Allen. He’s now in line to get a bulk of the snaps this season.
Trenden Kaser, Sr, WR – Kaser brought in 21 catches for 264 yards and three touchdowns in 2025, he returns as one of the top receiving options for the Gophers and will be a big part in filling the void left by Kye Jacobs.
Alex King, Sr, WR/RB – King is no stranger to Friday night lights and has made several big catches for the Gophers over the last two seasons. The Gophers may trust the senior to run the ball more in the 2027 season.
Jaxin Wells, OL/DL – Wells will be a key piece in the trenches for the Gophers and will anchor an expiereinced offensive line as one of three returning starters.
Frankfort
Jaxon Robey, Jr, SS/LB/RB – Robey was a standout on defense for the Hot Dogs last season, finishing with 44 tackles. The junior will be tasked wit matching that output on the offensive side of the football this season.
Jaydon Davis, Sr, RB/FS – Davis, a conference champion in the 100 meter dash, showed his speed against North Putnam last season, racing for an 80 yard touchdown. Frankfort will look to use his speed on both sides of the ball this season.
Francisco Vega, JR, RB/LB – Vega was an impact player for the Hot Dogs last year, but after working hard to get stronger and faster this offseason, will be a name to watch for Frankfort this season.
Quency Allen, Sr, WR/CB – Allen led the Hot Dogs with 11 pass deflections last season. He also racked up double digit tackles against North Putnam.
Clinton Central
Kaleb Robinson, Sr, QB – Robinson played tight end last season for the Bulldogs, but will shift over to quarterback this year. Coach Michael Griffy raved about Robinson’s football IQ
Luke Shelley, Sr, WR/FS – Shelley, a speedster, compiled over 100 yards from scrimmage twice last season, and scored five total touchdowns.
Collin Mooneyhan, OL/DL – Mooneyhan is one of four returning starters on the offensive line for the Bulldogs and has already proven he can be a gamewrecker on the defensive side of the ball.
Kaleb Griffy Jr, RB/LB – Griffy finished last season with 54 total tackles. Now the junior will be tasked with being a lead back for the Bulldogs.
Carroll
Reid Hayden So, QB – After playing in a limited role during his freshman season, Hayden will be thrust into the quarterback position after an injury to Cale Peters.
Aiden Pearson Sr, OL – Pearson will anchor a younger, smaller ofeensive line than the Cougars are used to having. But having a guy like Pearson on the line will be a tremendous help to a young backfield.
Jon Carey, Jr, RB/LB – Carey started as a linebacker throughout the 2025 season, and will now take over in the back field. Carey has big shoes to fill, following a long line of great Carroll fullbacks including Aiden Wiles, Keegan Ellis and Clay Metzger.
Dixon Ayres, Jr, SS – Ayres has taken over as the leader on the defensive side of the ball, following in the footsteps of his older brother Jackson Ayres.
Delphi
Ethan McIlrath Sr, OL/DL – McIlrath finished the 2025 season with 41 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. He will be key for the Oracles in the trenches this season.
Weston Brown Jr, QB/LB – Brown played wide reciever for Delphi last season and finsished with 185 yeards and a touchdown. But could in line to take over at quarterback after the graduation of Kaydn McAtee.
Noah Hutsell Sr, LB – Hutsell paced the team in tackles a year ago with 72 and finished with four forced fumbles. But the senior may be asked to play a role on offense, after the Oracles lost several key skill positons last season.
Jax Fassnacht Sr, OL/DL – Fassnacht is another big piece in the trenches for the Oracles. He finished 2025 with three sacks and two forced fumbles.