PULASKI FOOTBALL PREVIEW SPOTLIGHT IS SPONSORED BY JW INDUSTRIES
The Pulaski Red Raiders are preparing for another football season with expectations high after establishing a run of postseason appearances and a culture of success.
Head coach Jerad Marsh says the start of fall camp is an exciting time as the work put in throughout the offseason begins to take shape. “The summer goes by fast, but it goes by fast because you’re constantly in the weight room with the guys,” Marsh said. “Come August, after Pulaski Polka Days, that’s off and then we start the football.”
One of the strengths of this year’s team is a mix of experienced returning players and younger athletes competing for opportunities. Marsh says the competition has helped create an energetic atmosphere early in practice.
“It’s not just, you’re an older guy or you were here last year. I want to be able to get on that field and make a contribution,” Marsh said. “The guys haven’t gotten bully about it. Instead, they’ve embraced that.”
Marsh says practices have been fast, physical and competitive, with players from different classes coming together quickly.
Several returning players will be among those expected to make an impact. On offense, Marsh pointed to Bohdan Schmidt, Matthew Heck, Kanute Lexow and Anthony Ficarri as players to watch. Schmidt returns after earning recognition last season while helping lead the Pulaski offense.
Defensively, Keaton Dauk is back after a strong season, while Pulaski also has several players competing for spots at linebacker and along the defensive front.
But Marsh says the goal isn’t simply to rely on proven players. He wants everyone in the program to take another step forward.
“Our goal is to have everybody move up a notch from where they were,” Marsh said. “The guys that are outstanding and have proven that, we have some guys that have done that year in and year out for the last couple of years. But it really is about finding the guys that are going to find that role and go from good to great.”
One group that will once again be critical to Pulaski’s success is the offensive and defensive lines. Marsh says those players don’t always receive the same recognition as skill-position players, but their importance to the program cannot be overstated. “They are the workhorses for us,” Marsh said. “We celebrate them as much as we can. They eat first, they get on the bus first. They are our kings.”
That emphasis on teamwork extends throughout the program, with Marsh challenging skill-position players to make the extra block, gain the extra yard and do whatever is necessary to help the players in the trenches.
Pulaski will enter the season looking to continue the standard it has established in recent years, with Marsh and his coaching staff focused on developing a team that continues to improve as the season progresses.
2026 Pulaski Football Schedule
- Aug. 21: vs Appleton East
- Aug. 28: at Hortonville
- Sep. 4: at Bay Port
- Sep. 11: vs Green Bay Preble
- Sep. 17: at Ashwaubenon
- Sep. 25: at West De Pere
- Oct. 2: vs Green Bay Southwest
- Oct. 9: at De Pere
- Oct. 16: vs Appleton West
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