3 things to know about Mauston football in 2026

The longtime assistant coach at the high school and collegiate ranks admittedly entered his first season at Mauston “kind of blind.” 

Whalen had to hire an entire coaching staff while simultaneously getting familiar with each player's abilities. It’s additional tasks that haven’t burdened the Golden Eagles this summer, where contact days and weight room sessions have been the priority. 

An organized offseason has led to more player participation and set the stage for a bounce back 2026 campaign for Mauston. 

"I didn't really know my guys, I didn't know their strengths, and this year I kind of know that," Whalen said. "Not just players but even coaches. You got to learn how each other are coaches and kind of get the best out of kids."

Here are three things to know about the 2026 Golden Eagles.

Skill positions guide the offense

Whalen, with more understanding of players’ skillsets, elected to change Mauston’s offensive scheme this fall. 

The Golden Eagles are switching from a gap running scheme that involves more counter runs to a zone running scheme. Whalen believes the change will allow the offense to play faster and highlight Mauston's dynamic running back duo. 

Brian Kastner will start again after a foot injury hampered him for the majority of last season. Whalen said Kastner suffered the injury in Week 2 that forced him either to miss games or operate at 75% speed when he did play. 

"He looks bigger, and obviously from contact days he looks much quicker and faster," Whalen said.

Kehler Trost also will receive carries as he emerged during Kastner's battle with the foot injury. The sophomore gained nearly 30 pounds this offseason, which will complement his aggressive running style. 

"He probably made some of our more exciting plays last year, both in the passing game and running the ball," Whalen said. "He runs every play, practice or game like it's the last time he's ever going to carry a football."

Loading up to stop Kastner and Trost is a risk for opposing defenses, especially with Andrew Dillin lined up at wide receiver. 

The 6-foot sophomore had a team-high 31 receptions for 413 yards and three touchdowns to earn all-conference honorable mention in the South Central last year. Whalen considers Dillin the Golden Eagles' top player and is confident in his ability to win one-on-one matchups. 

"It's kind of rare in high school to have a kid that has really good ball tracking skills and can high point passes," Whalen said. "He's got really good body control and can come down with those contested catches."

Adjustment to defensive scheme

While the offense has its foundational pieces, Mauston's defense is relying on rising standouts to make its mark. 

Defensive ends Azrael Chavez and Kairo Lueloff both were unable to play last season. Chavez suffered a meniscus injury during offseason workouts, while Lueloff was ineligible to play after transferring from Jefferson. Their return gives Mauston bookends along the defensive line who also can move to linebacker when necessary. 

"At (defensive) edge, you want to be physical but also you have to be able to bend that edge and be athletic," Whalen said. "They both can do that, so I'm really excited about how they can set that edge this year."

Trevor Manning has emerged as the team's leader in the secondary. The sophomore has grown from 5-9 to 6-2 this offseason and competed in all contact days despite breaking two fingers during a seven-on-seven tournament earlier this summer. 

Manning's growth, alongside the potentially improved pass rush spearheaded by Chavez and Lueloff, will help Mauston seamlessly transition from a 4-2-5 to 4-3 defense under its new co-defensive coordinators this fall. 

"Trevor is a kid who’s really hungry and has taken a step,” Whalen said. “Like he's got instincts, the coverage range and it's like familiar to him now," Whalen said.

Healthy and reloaded

The injury bug infiltrated Mauston's locker room last season. Several upperclassmen missed a third of the season, including Alyis Hernandez, the team's top lineman, who returns for his senior season from a head/neck injury. 

Unfortunate injury luck was a factor that led to Mauston's winless season. It's a low point for the program that's turned into a rallying cry this offseason. 

"I can tell with how the players have done this offseason, how they talk, work and coaching wise too, everybody's hungry to really change it around this year," Whalen said. 

Overthinking and not reacting to the play could hinder players as they adjust to the new offensive and defensive schemes. 

"I think if we have toughness and effort, I think we could be in any game," Whalen said. "By week four or five, I'm really hoping that we're playing fast out there."