After finishing 5-4 a season ago, the Ellsworth Bearcats believe the foundation is in place to take another step forward this fall.
Head coach Josh Homolka enters his ninth season at Ellsworth with a roster that returns six starters on both sides of the ball, including a talented junior class that has already logged significant varsity experience.
“We have had a really good summer in the weight room,” Homolka said. “We do have experience coming back this season. We have a very large junior class that will have to carry a heavy load.”
While the Bearcats don’t boast a large senior class, Homolka said the leadership from those veterans has been a major strength throughout the offseason.
“Our senior class is not large in numbers but has provided some very good leadership this summer,” Homolka said. “Between our junior and senior class we are returning a good number of players that have taken meaningful snaps in the last two seasons.”
Leading the offense is junior quarterback Carson Jacobs, who emerged as one of the top young signal-callers in the area during his sophomore campaign. Jacobs directs a power spread attack that features two backs and should have plenty of familiar faces surrounding him.
Junior Bo Kyler returns as a versatile tight end/fullback, while junior Liam Stone and senior Jace Thomasson provide experience at receiver. Junior Ret Bohl adds another playmaker at wide receiver and tailback, and senior Drew Davis anchors the offensive line.
Homolka believes Jacobs’ leadership is just as valuable as his production.
“Carson is a great leader,” Homolka said. “He had a really good season as a sophomore at quarterback. He brings leadership both vocally and by example. He is all in on whatever sport he is playing for the Bearcats.”
The coach even compared Jacobs to one of the program’s recent standouts.
“We have had great leaders — Will Cravens comes to mind,” Homolka said. “Carson reminds me of him.”
Defensively, Ellsworth will again rely on an aggressive, attacking approach from its 4-4 scheme.
The Bearcats return six starters, including defensive lineman Valen Vague, linebacker Bo Kyler, cornerback Carson Jacobs, outside linebacker Ret Bohl and defensive backs Jace Thomasson and Liam Stone.
“We are an attacking style defense,” Homolka said. “We try to play with great pursuit, play with physicality and play gap responsible.”
Another player expected to make an impact is sophomore Gage Laas, who impressed the coaching staff during his freshman season.
“Gage had a great JV season and filled vital roles on our special teams last season,” Homolka said. “He has the ability to be a physical player and has the football intelligence to put his teammates in the right spots at the right times pre-snap. We are excited about what Gage will bring to the team this season. He has had a tremendous offseason.”
