NEW GLARUS — The Glarner Knights enter the alternative fall football season with a strong sense of optimism despite some pretty large holes to fill.

New Glarus-Monticello went 5-5 way back in 2019, but 3-1 in Capitol South play. The Knights graduated five all-conference players, including first-team all-conference running back and kicker Connor Siegenthaler.

The Knights will have all-new featured players at both positions, which have already shown some interesting options.

“Replacing Connor Siegenthaler as punter and kicker will be challenging,” said Jeff Eichelkraut, who is entering his 18th season as the head man of the program. 

Among the team’s newcomers that will vie for the kicking jobs are Connor McMannes, a junior, and senior Jaylynn Benson — a forward on the girls’ co-op soccer team that had six goals as a sophomore. At running back, the Knights have returning letterwinner Holden Latsch and newcomers Nate Brandes and Cade Femrite.

“Running back and linebacker are areas that will feature new contributors, which is exciting, but will also take some time,” Eichelkraut said.

NGM has tons of talent returning in other areas. Senior QB Darris Schuett averaged 241 yards passing a game last season in limited time, splitting passing duties with Mason Martinson, who will split out wide this season. Martinson threw passes in seven games in 2019 for 1,114 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also added 269 yards on the ground rushing and hauled in 10 catches for 110 yards. Schuett will play football at Simpson College in the fall, while Martinson will play at Sioux Falls. 

Nathan Streiff is a senior wideout that will play at Carleton College next season. Streiff is the program’s all-time leading receiver with 87 grabs and 1,347 yards. He is also a staunch defender in the secondary. Streiff had 62 catches for 1,001 yards and 8 TDs in 2019. On defense, he led NGM with 96 tackles, 2 INTs and 2 fumble recoveries. As a sophomore he had 73 tackles and 5 INTs. Newcomers Dominic Tollackson and Jack Parman figure to play key roles on offense as receivers as well, Eichelkraut said.

Also back for NGM is lineman Cole Walter, who will suit up for UW-La Crosse in the fall, two-year starting lineman Jaxson Darrow and four-year varsity player Holden Latsch. In all, the Knights return 21 letterwinners.

“There is a lot of varsity experience with this crew and there are a lot of capable newcomers, which make for an exciting opportunity this spring,” Eichelkraut said. “Our spread offense features a lot of weapons, which is really exciting and we have a lot of experience at the defensive line and secondary.”

The Knights run a 3-4 defense with Schuett, Streiff and Rudy Wicker all back in the secondary, plus Darrow, Cole Walter and Dain Walter anchoring the front line. Holden Latch and Ben Copeland return at linebacker.

Due to the different routes took to combat COVID-19 and continuing to play sports, the Knights will have an all-new conference to compete in this year. Opponents include Poynette, Parkview-Albany, Brodhead-Juda and Deerfield. 

The opening game of the season is a nonconference road bout against Montello/Princeton/Green Lake March 26. Away games include Parkview-Albany (April 9), Cuba City (April 23) and Deerfield (April 30). Home games will feature Poynette (April 1), Brodhead-Juda (April 16) and Belleville (May 7).

“Our goals are simple. To bond together as a team, execute at a high level, compete, and have fun this spring,” Eichelkraut said. “With all new teams, it is hard to predict (how we’ll do). Brodhead-Juda will be exceptional as always.”