​Sep. 1—WILLMAR — The Willmar football team brings back plenty of proven weapons in 2026.The team leaders in rushing yards, receiving yards and tackles are all back from a Cardinals roster that went 6-4 last season and made the Section 2AAAA semifinals.The continuity continues on the coaching staff. Jon Konold is back for his 18th season and has an 83-83 record. His assistant coaches are Dustin Carlson, Steve Grove, Ken Heitzman, Patrick Courtney, Brad Foss, Andy Tupa, Michael Heitzman, Ryan Cihak, Grant Schwieger, Rene Vallejo, Jake Evans and Rob Baumgarn.There are 23 seniors listed on Willmar’s roster.”We have a big senior class and we are fortunate that those guys have got a lot of playing time,” Konold said. “Practices run pretty smoothly. … We do have several guys that are getting work on both sides of the ball this year.”That senior class includes four three-year starters in running back/linebacker Hudson Sjoberg, linebacker/tight end Lawson Anez, offensive and defensive lineman Travis Venenga and free safety/wideout/quarterback/punter/returner Briar Schuett.The offense is led by Sjoberg, who ran for 709 yards and 14 touchdowns on 131 carries on the way to being named Skyway Copper District RB of the year. He’s joined in the backfield by senior Isaac Cayler, who had 392 rushing yards and three TDs last season.”They’re both physical runners and they both got really good speed,” Konold said. “Both have really good vision and the nice thing is both can catch the ball in the backfield. You can motion them around a little bit to get them in different spots and put the strain on the defense.”Aidan Paulson returns for his senior season after leading the Cardinals with 24 receptions for 477 yards and six TDs. Also back out wide is junior Cooper Schnichels, who had 10 catches for 126 yards and two scores in 2025. Listed at 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, Schnichels is gaining interest from Division I programs. Seniors Logan Fagerlie and Max Garberding as well as sophomore Nickoli Vogel will figure into the passing game, too.”We have really good experience with those guys on the outside,” Konold said of Paulson and Schnichels. “Aidan had a breakout year last year and Cooper’s going to have to have that this year to kind of balance things out.”Konold added on the receiver group, “They all offer a little bit something different. They’re all really good blockers and they catch the ball really well. The more we can have (defenses) defend the pass, the better our run game is going to be and vice versa.”Listed at 6-3 and 240 pounds, Venenga is one of four starters back on the offensive line. Alongside him are seniors Josh Meraz, Zavore Hunt and Benjamin Peterson and junior Samuel Huisinga.The offensive weapons will help new starting quarterback Alex Hoppe. The senior won the job this summer and will fill in after the graduation of three-year starter Jordan Ellingson.”Alex has done a nice job of stepping in and understanding the offense,” Konold said. “For hi