To win the big games, the Wayne State College football team will be keying in on taking care of the ball while creating more takeaways on defense for 2025.
This will also mark the fourth year for head coach Logan Masters at WSC with 12 overall years on the sidelines as a coach. He was also a standout wide receiver from 2006 - 09.
The Wildcats worked out with strength and conditioning coach, Dakota Coon and lifted four times a week to get bigger, faster and stronger for two months.
The captains would also get together a couple nights a week led by the players prior to fall camp starting in early August.
Coach Masters said the team is working toward being more connected.
"I felt like last year maybe that was something that I failed them at and we didn't do as good of a job," said Masters. "Adversity hasn't hit, but right now as far as locker room, our upperclassmen have done a really good job with the position guys."
WSC finished 7-4 overall and 6-4 in the NSIC last season.
A top three all-time total yards and passing quarterback, an All-American left tackle and wide receiver spots will need to be filled.
Sophomore Bennett Dannenbring has won the job and will start his first game against Kearney at quarterback, senior Tierel Tompkins has been a three-year starter at right tackle and will move to left tackle while redshirt freshman Luke Vander Weide will step in at right tackle.
Young talented wide receivers will also take control on the outside.
The front seven mainly all return while the defensive backs have seen the field but will look to continue to build depth.
Junior Boston Hensley will take control of all kicking duties.
Junior defensive end Carter Sitzman was voted as the South Division Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and Wildcat Player to watch on the defensive side while senior center Will Washenberger was tabbed as the Wildcat Office Player to Watch.
Sitzman, who also was named to the D2Football.com Elite 100 Watch List, has been working on just being an athlete and being the best version of himself.
"It has had a huge impact on my health and my outlook on this season," said Sitzman. "I can say the same for the team. We have just been becoming more of a family on and off the field...through the summer, we just made it very clear that if you weren't going to show up to summer weights or the player-led practices that we won't do what we know we can do during the season, and we had an amazing turnout to both voluntary things."
During the first weeks of fall camp, the team worked on the little details. At the college ranks, the team of 11 players on each side of the ball must do their job right every time.
The team will look to breakdown their opponent the entire game by executing the right play every time.
Washenberger credit's the strength and conditioning staff for their work in getting the team in shape ahead of fall camp. He also worked on his personal health to stay fit for the entire season.
"I think this team could be very special," said Washenberger. "As a team we focused on perfecting our craft. Coach Masters is always telling us that it takes all 11 on the field to be successful and I think that we got better at that through the first couple of weeks."
It was common between both players that a goal is to take every day, week and game, 'one challenge at a time'.
Sitzman is also excited to see what the team can do when they play someone who isn't Wayne State. They've spent the entire spring, summer and fall camp going up against each other and are itching to get out there and represent WSC.
Washenberger is looking forward to getting out under the lights and play the sport he loves.
It's been since 2011 that Wayne State College and Nebraska-Kearney last met.
The current team rivals have been Augustana and Minnesota State-Mankato.
"Well going back to the old Wayne State guys, Kearney is the one that the towns people, old alum circle," said Masters. "So, it's really exciting to bring them back and state bragging rights are on the line. Coach Held (UNK) has done a great job in getting them back to where they were. They're going to be super talented."
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. under the lights at Bob Cunningham Field on the campus of Wayne State College against UNK Thursday, August 28.
Both Sitzman and Washenberger shared a message to their fans.
"Just to be thinking and praying for all of us on the team to stay healthy, for all of our fans to show up to the games and cheer loudly for the Cats," said Sitzman. "Be supportive of us as we kick off our season, to love us up when you see the football guys in public or on social media, it means the world to us to know our hard work and dedication to this team and this town have an effect on the community."
"None of the things we do as a football team would be possible without the support of our families and the fans," said Washenberger. "Thank you for all of the good memories and welcoming me to the Wildcat family."
Coach Masters would also like to thank you the fan.
"Keep supporting us," said Masters. "It means a lot to us and it's really special having great crowds here at home. Even on the road, between our fans, our alumni in the area and parents, a lot of times we have bigger crowds on the road than home teams do which is really cool and special."
