The Hoisington High School football team enters the 2026 season with one of its largest senior classes in recent years, as 13 seniors are expected to play an important role for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals are a Kansas Class 3A football team to watch in 2026.
The Hoisington football team finished the 2025 season with an overall record of 10-1. The Cardinals won the Central Kansas League (3-0) and district titles (4-0).
In the Kansas Class 2A state football playoffs, Hoisington defeated Halstead (74-24), Hillsboro (46-6) and Garden Plain (36-7). Hoisington lost to Southeast of Saline 22-12 in the 2A state semifinals. Southeast of Saline defeated Nemaha Central 36-28 in the 2A state championship game.
The team returns five starters on offense and defense, with head coach Zach Baird entering his 13th year with the program. Baird has been part of 115 wins during his time at Hoisington.
Brody Pfannenstiel headlines the group of returnees at running back and defensive end and is one of the top players in the state. Pfannenstiel is committed to Wisconsin and gives Hoisington a big-time talent on both sides of the football.
Kolter Hahn also stands out as a key returnee at quarterback and defensive back.
The Cardinals return a deep group of contributors, including Preston Merlau at running back and linebacker, Karson Kinman and Leyton Mooney on the offensive and defensive lines, Brody Corbett at offensive and defensive line, Corbyn Holinde at tight end and linebacker and Logan Cossel and Thomas Higgins in the secondary.
Kaidenn Chambers, Drew Hekele, Gavin Jackson and Knoxly Nettelingham are also among the team’s key returnees.
After a strong summer, Hoisington will lean heavily on its senior class as it looks to continue improving.
“We’ve had a good summer,” Baird told Sports in Kansas. “We need to continue to get better in the weight room. We have 13 seniors which is a huge senior class for us. We will rely heavily on our seniors.”
Hoisington opens the 2026 football season with a home game on Sept. 4 against Hillsboro. Other home games are Cheney, Sept. 18; Nickerson, Sept. 25; and Lyons, Oct. 9.
Cardinal road games are Hesston, Sept. 11; Pratt, Oct. 2; Larned, Oct. 16 and Garden Plain, Oct. 23.
