The 2026 Ellsworth High School football team returns six starters on offense and six on defense following a 5-4 season in 2025.
Head coach Josh Homolka enters his 10th season at Ellsworth with a 44-40 record, continuing to build a program that can compete in a challenging Class 2A field.
Sports in Kansas listed Ellsworth as a Class 2A program to watch during the 2026 season.
“We feel good about what our team has done over the summer,” Homolka told Sports in Kansas. “We have a good assortment of players who have taken meaningful snaps over their career, we are going to lean on that experience to get us kickstarted.”
The Bearcats have several players capable of making a major impact in 2026.
Carson Jacobs returns at quarterback and defensive back and is a player to watch. Liam Stone gives Ellsworth experience at wide receiver and defensive back.
Rett Bohl returns at running back and linebacker. Drew Davis brings experience along the offensive and defensive lines. Valen Vague provides a two-way presence at tight end and linebacker.
Bo Kyler returns at running back/linebacker and Jace Thomassen at wide receiver/defensive back.
The group gives Ellsworth a balanced mix of skill-position talent and experienced players in the trenches.
With 12 returning starters and several seniors expected to take on expanded roles, Ellsworth will look to turn its returning experience into another postseason push in 2026.
The Bearcats will face a strong challenge within their league and Class 2A. However, the combination of experience, summer preparation and two-way contributors gives the program a solid foundation heading into the fall.
