Football coach says 2025 is definitely not a rebuilding season

Rangers football is about to begin for the 2025-26 season. 

The team starts off its schedule at home against Stanley County. 

For returning players, the Rangers offense  includes running backs Mason Wiese, Caleb Sobolik and Nick Schroeder, wide receiver   Zane Messick, offensive lineman Tanner Grabow and tight end, moving to quarterback, Brensen Veneklasen. 

Coach Brett Eckert said other players to watch on offense are Karson Kolb, Andres Hernandez, Breylon Rahn and Drake Wilkison.

On the defense, Eckert said to look out for cornerback Drake Wilkison, defensive end Karson Kolb as well as Cory Ronish, Alan Harvey, Mason Buehler, Colin Jobgen and Caleb Garcia.

Eckert is excited about the season and notes that while the team lost some strategic players, last year’s juniors are stepping up already. 

“This group of seniors specifically has really bought into the culture that we desire to build and the hard work needed to be good. Yes, we have to replace some of our guys from last year, but a bulk of last year’s success should definitely be attributed directly to last year’s junior, this year’s senior, class. We are definitely not rebuilding,” Eckert said.

The season opener against Stanley County should be interesting, with Eckert saying the opponent is bringing back skilled talent from last year.

Eckert sees Harding County as the top team the Rangers will face with Bennett County as a possible sleeper team.

“They have a lot of very skilled athletes, and if they start to get some wind in their sails, they are going to be a pretty good football team,” Eckert said.

He noted Philip is a big,  physical team and Kadoka is coached well.

Eckert believes in his team and is “really excited to see this group of seniors play ball.”

He calls these seniors  the “core group for the transformation of our football program with buying in and putting in four-plus years worth of work.”

Positive as always, Eckert knows the true value of the game lies not in the wins, but in the play, saying, “Hopefully they will get to enjoy the fruits of their labors, but if not, they have at least hopefully learned valuable lessons for life while having fun doing it as well.”

Rangers fans can see home action on Ranger Field Aug. 22 starting at 6 p.m.