ARNOLD — South Loup enters the 2026 football season with a new head coach and several new faces stepping into prominent roles.
Zac Sweet begins his first season leading the Bobcats after spending the previous two years as an assistant. He takes over a program that finished 2-6 last season, including a 2-3 mark in district play.
“It’s been fun and exciting,” Sweet said. “We just have really hard-working, good kids — coachable kids.”
Sweet’s familiarity with the players and continued support from longtime members of the coaching staff have helped make the transition a smooth one. Former head coaches Jagler and Schwarz remain with the program as assistants, while longtime junior high coach Wiverka is also on the staff.
“They created the standard. They know the standard, and they kind of taught me the standard of South Loup football and really what it means to be a Bobcat,” Sweet said. “The kids have a lot of pride in our team and our community.”
The Bobcats must replace most of their offensive production from last season. Conner Paulsen averaged a team-high 104.1 rushing yards per game and scored nine total touchdowns, while quarterback Dylan Pandorf averaged 59.5 rushing yards and accounted for 12 touchdowns — nine rushing and three passing.
South Loup also graduated Crew Witthuhn, who averaged 50.8 rushing yards and 34.1 receiving yards per game while scoring seven touchdowns. Those three players combined for 25 touchdowns during the 2025 season.
Their departures have created an open competition in the backfield. Sweet identified Tysen Schacher, Elijah Cool and sophomore Dawson Downing among the players expected to compete for carries.
“We’ve got a battle of probably four or five guys that might all get carries,” Sweet said. “We’ve got a pretty unselfish group and a pretty unselfish attitude. They have a common goal of what’s going to benefit the team.”
Schacher already has experience making an impact defensively. He led South Loup with three interceptions last season and also recovered a fumble.
Cool is expected to become one of the Bobcats’ most versatile contributors. After working as a blocker, ball carrier, receiver and special teams player in previous seasons, he is also projected to take on a significant role at linebacker.
“He’s kind of a Swiss Army knife,” Sweet said. “He’s been put in a lot of different positions offensively. More than anything, I think he’s going to have to be a really good defender for us.”
South Loup returns valuable experience in the trenches. Malachi Neth and Noah Anderson are returning starters at guard and on defense, while Tatum Weiss also brings starting experience along the offensive line. Anderson recorded one of the Bobcats’ five reported sacks last season.
Sweet said the three seniors will be counted on to anchor the line and guide a large group of developing underclassmen.
“They’re pretty big, strong senior boys,” Sweet said. “They work extremely hard, and they’re very motivated. They’ve stepped up to be the example for the younger guys.”
That experience up front will be important as Sweet looks to establish a physical rushing attack.
“I want us to be a gritty, hard-nosed team,” he said. “In eight-man football, you’ve got to be able to run the ball. That is something we hope to establish and be physical at the point of attack.”
With a relatively young roster, Sweet said South Loup’s veteran players have helped accelerate the development of the underclassmen by setting an example during practice and assisting them with the system.
“We’re throwing a lot of stuff at those young kids, and the upperclassmen are really helping build them up and keep them excited,” Sweet said.
South Loup opens its season Aug. 28 on the road against North Platte St. Patrick’s. Sweet expects the Irish to immediately test his team’s physicality.
“They’re big, they’re strong, and they’re athletic,” Sweet said. “They’re a run-heavy team, and what they’re going to try to do is run you over. We’re going to have to go out there and try to match up with them.”
The Bobcats will host Sandhills Valley on Sept. 3 before traveling to face Hi-Line and Hemingford. District play begins Sept. 24 at home against Franklin and also includes games against Arapahoe, Bertrand, Loomis and Wilcox-Hildreth.
The southern district alignment will introduce South Loup to several programs it has rarely faced, while non-district games against Sandhills Valley, Hi-Line and Hemingford provide rematches from last season.
“It’s new. A lot of those teams we’ve never seen or haven’t seen in a long time,” Sweet said. “Getting the opportunity to play new faces, and at the same time having those rematches, is really exciting.”
As Sweet begins his first season in charge, he wants the Bobcats to remain focused on steady improvement and representing the communities of Arnold and Callaway.
“We’ve got two great communities behind us,” Sweet said. “We’re really thankful for all the support. We’re going to keep focusing on the process and try to have a good season.”
