NEW GLARUS — The Glarner Knights started the Alternate Fall spring season blazing, winning their first three games emphatically by outscoring their opponents 131-33.

In Week 4, New Glarus-Monticello lost a heartbreaker at home by a single point to Brodhead-Juda, with the game coming down to a missed two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter. The Knights then went on to lose the final three weeks of the season — including another 1-point loss, this time to rival Belleville in the season finale. 

In the offseason, the program’s all-time passing and receiving leaders graduated (Darris Schuett and Nathan Streiff), as did a slew of other starters and all-conference players. In all, NGM received 19 all-conference awards last season, with just two of those players returning: Dain Walter, first-team OL and DL; and Jack Parman, second team WR and LB.

“Lack of varsity experience is a concern,” said Dr. Jeff Eichelkraut, NGM coach. “We will need to persevere through some challenging times to reach our full potential.”

Walter is expected to lead the boys up front. Eichelkraut said Walter, Logan Roach and Mitchell Murray are all returning to the offensive line, making the line of scrimmage a position of strength for the Knights. “[We have] strong candidates to fill the other holes. We also have an increase in numbers, which will lead to increased competition,” Eichelkraut said.

Cale Weeden and Max Marty return as potential QBs to fill the shoes of since-departed Schuett. Parman, Kaleb Bay, DJ Donnell, Ethan Friedrich, Leyton Mihlbauer and Cade Thayer will jockey for time at wide receiver. Jackson Eyler had just three carries last year at running back — the most of anyone returning. Emery Johnson also returns from last year’s RB depth chart.

Among those expected to make significant contributions this year include linemen Carter Wirth and Zuteus Blades; WR/DBs AC Strok, Easton Dreyfus and Mason Yaun; and RB Reid Righter. 

The Knights roster is made up of 11 seniors, 9 juniors and 14 sophomores.

“Our goal is to go out and compete every night and continue to grow one day at a time. We will be young and will need to use every experience to our advantage in our growth process,” Eichelkraut said. 

Eichelkraut expects Brodhead-Juda and River Valley to be the top teams in the new-look SWC this fall. “Both programs have strong traditions and return a lot of experience. This is a very talented conference and should have some great football this fall.”