After weeks of practice, the first week of the new high school football season is here.
Games kickoff on Aug. 20 with the majority the following day across the state.
Before the action begins, I’m going to break down more in depth the three players I’m most intrigued by for the upcoming season.
New Holstein’s Ely Kohlman an early Lakeshore Elite player of the year candidate
Every year I choose the best football player in the Manitowoc and Sheboygan area as my Lakeshore Elite player of the year.
I’m not about to make any sweeping decisions before a single snap has been taken but one player I’m certainly keeping an eye on is New Holstein’s Ely Kohlman.
The senior quite literally does it all for the Huskies as a wide receiver, defensive back, kicker, punter and return man.
That kind of versatility is something I really like, and the fact that he was first team all-Eastern Wisconsin Conference at all those positions mind return man but probably only because the EWC doesn’t recognize one.
He had more than 600 yards and nine touchdowns receiving then on defense 66 tackles and two defensive touchdowns.
Kohlman added another two kick return and one punt return touchdowns giving him 14 total touchdowns across all three phases of the game.
Whatever is asked of him, he does at a high level. Its hard not to like a player like that.
During one game, he kept getting fed the ball on quick slants and even though the defense knew what was coming it couldn’t really stop him. Another sign of a possible POTY candidate.
Manitowoc Lincoln’s Jaquan Foth should continue to shine
Another player I’ve really liked over the past few seasons is Manitowoc Lincoln senior running back Jaquan Foth.
The Ships have had a bit of a rough go of it the past few season but Foth has continued to keep plowing away and making things happen.
Foth had 167 carries last year and gained 994 yards with seven touchdowns. The rest of Lincoln’s running backs combined for 52 carries and 148 yards.
To say he was the focal point of the offense would be an understatement, but it didn’t stop him.
Manitowoc Lincoln’s offensive line hasn’t created the holes Foth might particularly want at times, but he’s been able to make things happen regardless.
Seeing a back turn runs that should be for little to no gain into four or five yards consistently is impressive to watch.
Whether or not he makes a case for POTY I don’t know, but Foth is certainly a player I enjoy seeing compete.
Cedar Grove-Belgium’s Griffin Knight another do-it-all standout
If there’s anyone who can give Kohlman a run for his money as best all-around athlete and impact player it would be Cedar Grove-Belgium senior Griffin Knight.
Knight is a standout receiver, defensive back and return man who is a natural athlete.
He caught 40 passes for 626 yards, 10 touchdowns and had an amazing 15.7 yards per catch average.
On defense Knight recovered a pair of fumbled and picked off seven passes. Then added another 558 yards and another score as returner.
The Rockets will be breaking in a new quarterback with the graduation of Carter Schmitz as well as a new lead running back with Ira Hilbelink’s decision to not play football this season in order to focus on baseball.
Hilbelink is committed to NCAA Division I Minnesota and could be drafted by a Major League Baseball team in the spring so it’s hard to fault his choice. But it will force changes for the football team.
Knight, though, is too good of an athlete to not be featured so he’s going to be a key reason if Cedar Grove-Belgium continues to excel.
Contact Tom Dombeck at 920-686-2965 or tdombeck@htrnews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Tom_Dombeck.
This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: These 3 football players intrigue Tom Dombeck the most in 2026
Reporting by Tom Dombeck, Sheboygan Press / Sheboygan Press
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By Tom Dombeck, Sheboygan Press | USA TODAY Network
