Page 4 Fall Football Preview, August 28, 2026
Primed to put rough season behind them
by Mike Shaughnessy SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
As the Eagan defense took the field for the 2025 football season opener, a thought crossed head coach Nick Johnson’ s mind: 10 of the 11 players had never been in a varsity game before.
It smelled like trouble against a quality opponent like Shakopee, and unfortunately for the Wildcats, it was. They lost 41-0. Inexperience and a rash of injuries led to a 2-7 record.
Turn the calendar forward 12 months. Now almost every defensive starter is a returning varsity player. The Wildcats also return some key offensive players, including elusive junior quarterback Parker West.
Eagan’ s players and coaches say they came out the other side of that trying season a stronger team. They can use last year’ s opener as a frame of reference because this year’ s opener is at Shakopee on Sept. 3. The Shakopee roster has been fortified by several potential impact transfers, but the Wildcats don’ t seem intimidated.
“ High school kids, just like us,” senior linebacker David Comer said at an Eagan practice last week.
“ We were playing pretty good defense by the end of last year,” Johnson said.“ The amount these guys played last year is insanely valuable. They came back with all this knowledge. In the off-season, when these guys watched film together, you knew that they knew what to look for.
“ The biggest thing is, can we stay healthy? Last year was a horrible year for us with all the injuries.”
The Wildcats were within about a foot of upsetting Woodbury in
Schedule
Games on Fridays unless noted Sept. 3( Thur.): at Shakopee, 7 p. m. Sept. 11: Prior Lake, 6:30 p. m. Sept. 18: at Eastview, 6 p. m. Sept. 25: Lakeville North, 6:30 p. m. Oct. 2: Lakeville South, 6:30 p. m. Oct. 9: at Farmington, 7 p. m. Oct. 14( Wed.): at Rosemount, 7 p. m. Oct. 23: Rogers, 6:30 p. m.
This year’ s Eagan roster loaded with experience
the 2025 Class 6A playoffs when they went for a twopoint conversion in the final seconds but came up just short of the goal line, losing 21-20. The upside was, the defense contained an explosive Woodbury offense enough to keep Eagan in the game. The returning starters on defense say they can do even more this year.
“ I think we have a chance to be a really good defense,” senior linebacker Luke Hansen said.“ Just with how many guys are willing to work and how many guys that are coming back want to hit somebody.
“ We don’ t have guys that are Division I players
Eagan
Photo by Mike Shaughnessy
Eagan linemen work on a drill at practice Aug. 19. The Wildcats were 2-7 last season but will rely on a large number of returning starters as they seek to improve this year.
and we don’ t have huge guys. But we do have 11 guys who are going to do their job each and every play. That’ s what we rely on.”
Chris Garcia leads the returnees on the defensive front. Comer and Jace Meyer shared time at a linebacker spot last year, with both expected to start this year. Devonte Cherrier, a state wrestling tournament qualifier, is a returning linebacker. Seniors Drew Boyd and Nick Ross played fulltime at safety last year, and Jacob Bjorkstrand is a returning cornerback.
Johnson said the Wildcats’ offense can help the defense. Last year turnovers and mistakes often left the defense backed up near its own goal line. In a 41-7 loss sunthisweek. com
to Rosemount, the Irish started eight of their 10 drives in Eagan territory.
There’ s considerably more experience on this year’ s offense, which Johnson says should help the Wildcats play with more precision. West led Eagan in rushing yardage last season and, according to the coach, is one of several talented quarterbacks on the roster. Senior running back Gage Halvorson is a three-year starter. Senior Tommy Jameson also returns at running back. Senior Nick Emerson returns at receiver, and the Wildcats are looking for a role for junior Jack Logan, who Johnson described as one of the best athletes in the school.
Seniors Grant See Eagan, 15
Photo by Mike Shaughnessy
Eagan football players look at the next play they’ ll run at practice Aug. 19. The Wildcats play their season opener at Shakopee on Sept. 3.