WATCH: Manawa Football Preview Spotlight

MANAWA FOOTBALL PREVIEW SPOTLIGHT IS SPONSORED BY SELL CHIROPRACTIC

There is a new voice leading the Manawa Wolves into the 2026 football season, but there is plenty of experience returning to help first-year head coach Josh Wachowiak get the program moving in the right direction.

Wachowiak says his transition into the head coaching position has been a positive one, thanks in large part to the Manawa community and the commitment of his players.

“People in Manawa here are great, super welcoming, good community, dedicated players off season, in other sports as well,” Wachowiak said. “It’s been a good journey so far. Really excited for the season.”

The Wolves return 26 letter winners, giving Wachowiak plenty of experience to work with in his first season. Senior captains Jacob Kravetz and Logan Zirbel were both captains as juniors last season and were selected again this year. Hayden Wepner also returns as a senior.

Manawa also has several juniors who saw significant playing time as freshmen and sophomores.

“You learn from your past, plan for the future and live in the present,” Wachowiak said. “These guys are ready to rock and roll.”

One of Wachowiak’s biggest goals is finding ways to get more production from the Manawa offense. As an offensive-minded coach, he wants to put his playmakers in situations where they can make an impact.

“Just getting the playmakers the ball in space,” Wachowiak said. “Football is a numbers game and we’re going to do our darndest to get the numbers in our advantage.”

Quarterback Carson Stroud returns to lead the offense, while Kravetz provides another major addition after missing most of last season with a broken wrist.

The Wolves also have plenty of size and athleticism at the skill positions. Zirbel returns at tight end, while Carter Barrington, Porter Gehrke and running backs Theron Schuelke and Wyatt Drath give Manawa several different options to work with.

Wachowiak says having so many players capable of contributing presents a good problem to have.

“There’s only one football, but a lot of guys that we like to spread the ball with,” he said.

Defensively, Wachowiak wants the Wolves to keep things simple while playing with an aggressive mindset.

“Our big thing is being physical,” Wachowiak said. “Keep it simple. Play fast. Be physical.”

Wyatt Drath is expected to anchor the defense at middle linebacker, while Stroud will move to free safety. Wachowiak also likes the Wolves’ depth in the secondary and along the defensive line.

Manawa recorded five interceptions last season, and Wachowiak believes the secondary can make life difficult for opposing offenses when teams do choose to throw the football.

“I’m really excited for our defense and for us to lay the hammer,” Wachowiak said.

The Wolves will get an early test with nonconference games against Pacelli and St. Mary Catholic before opening Northwoods Conference play at Clintonville.

While the games won’t count toward the conference standings, Wachowiak sees those early contests as valuable opportunities to discover what his team does well and where it needs to improve.

“Just finding out what we’re great at, and then just hammering that home,” Wachowiak said. “And then assessing the things that maybe we’re not so great at and figuring out what are these small changes that we can do to help with that.”

For a first-year head coach, Wachowiak isn’t looking to completely reinvent the Wolves overnight. Instead, he wants to build confidence, develop his players and establish an identity centered around physical football.

“I think just building our guys up, whether it’s through successes or through failures, I think that’s huge,” Wachowiak said.

With a new head coach, a veteran core and plenty of returning contributors, the Manawa Wolves are ready to begin a new chapter in 2026.

2026 Manawa Football Schedule