Coming off an 8-2 season and a district championship, the Frontenac football team enters the 2026 season with plenty of experience and a clear understanding of what it wants to accomplish.
The Raiders return 23 lettermen from last season, including several players who saw significant varsity action. That experience has created competition throughout the roster as players battle for starting positions and playing time.
“After a successful regular season in 25-26, we fell short of our expectation in the postseason,” Frontenac coach Leon Miller said. “We have a number of players who have worked hard to improve physically and look to compete for a significant role on this year’s squad.”
Frontenac returns several key players on both sides of the ball.
Senior Brock Wiemers is expected to contribute at wide receiver and defensive back, while senior Ethan Merrick returns at offensive line and defensive line. Senior Brogan Smith will compete at quarterback and wide receiver, and the Raiders also bring back senior running backs Jake Murphy and Luke Sneed.
Senior Bryce Hill returns on the offensive line, while senior Kaden Merando will contribute at wide receiver and defensive back. Junior Landon Clemensen also returns on the offensive line and defensive line.
Defensively, Frontenac brings back several experienced players, including senior Jacob Murphy at outside linebacker, senior Rylan Relph at linebacker, senior Luke Sneed at outside linebacker and junior Payton Armstrong at linebacker.
The Raiders will also rely on a group of players competing for expanded roles.
Among the seniors are Owen Welsh, Baron Kunshek and Jeremiah Reagan. Juniors include Armstrong, Kayson Houghton, Drake Clayton, Gunner Horyna, Jaxson Varsolona, Kane Mjelde, Mic Muller, Jacob Martinous, Garrett Henderson, Clemensen and Ryker Tanner.
A large sophomore group also will have opportunities to contribute, including Tavyn Relph, Kaysen Morrison, Kolton Burns, Carter Schropp, Deklan Harlan, Gunner Crumpacker, Nolan Stipp, Bradyn Wright, Christian Bledsoe, Charles Anderson and Kole Palmer.
Frontenac also welcomes 18 freshmen into the program. Miller said the group enters high school with considerable success at the junior high level, adding another layer of young talent to the program.
With so many players having varsity experience, the Raiders enter the season with competition for roles throughout the roster.
“We have a lot of returners that seen quality snaps at the varsity level and will bring that experience to the field,” Miller said. “Opportunity to find a role and make an impact is there for the taking.”
That opportunity will be particularly important for a Frontenac team looking to turn last season’s regular-season success into a deeper postseason run.
The Raiders have established a strong foundation with their returning lettermen and starters, while younger players will have opportunities to earn their way onto the field.
For Frontenac, the goal is to use last season’s experience — including both its 8-2 regular season and postseason disappointment — as motivation heading into another campaign.
“We have a number of players who have worked hard to improve physically and look to compete for a significant role on this year’s squad,” Miller said.
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