DARLINGTON — The Redbirds went 4-2 last fall, playing a schedule that included teams traveling multiple hours just to get the game while the COVID-19 pandemic rumbled into Wisconsin.

Darlington graduated some of its top players, like wide receivers Carter Lancaster and Cayden Rankin, plus lineman James Hartwig. However, the Redbirds return a slew of talent from last year’s squad, which should give fans plenty of reason for optimism.

Under center returns senior QB Braden Davis, who inches towards historic grounds. Even playing just six games last year, missing out on three regular season contests and any potential playoff run, Davis is well within striking distance of arguably Darlington’s most recognizable alumnus: Houston Texans WR Alex Erickson.

“[Davis] has a chance to break all of Alex Erickson’s Darlington passing records this year. In a non-COVID year, he would have had most of them already besides passing yards,” said Travis Winkers, Redbirds coach. “Also if he has a really good year could possibly break completion percentage held by Aaron Lancaster.”

Davis completed 56.5% of his passes last year for 778 yards, 11 touchdowns and just 2 INTs. He added 238 yards rushing with two more scores. In his 23 career games, he has 2,389 passing yards — less than 500 from Erickson’s mark of 2,874. Davis has thrown for 32 passing TDs and rushed for 780 yards and 9 TDs. Erickson, however, gained over 3,000 rushing yards and scored 52 times on the ground. 

Joining Davis in the skills positions this fall are running backs Easton Evenstad and Brady Horne — both of whom took a big step forward last year.

“Brady looks really good in camp. He played running back last year when Easton got hurt and did some nice things,” said Winkers, adding that Horne has been a 2-year starter at linebacker to this point. 

“Easton is a guy who we felt was going to be our best football player last year,” Winkers said, adding that Evenstad is a “very dynamic” offensive player that could see time at wide receiver as well. “Unfortunately, he broke his hand early in the season and missed the rest of his junior year. He has tremendous quickness and athleticism. His biggest games as a sophomore came against the best opponents.”

Horne led the Redbirds with 413 yards rushing (103.2 ypg; 5.3 ypc). Evenstad had 117 yards on 23 attempts before getting injured. Then-freshman Breylin Goebel had 79 yards on nine attempts, but made a name for himself as a tackling machine on defense, leading the team in total tackles.

Also back for Darlington are lineman Ethan Hendrickson, Max McGuire, Wiley Zasada, Chase Figi, Rawson Meylor and Axel Mendez. Tye Crist and Carter Murry will join the running back depth chart, and Hunter Hardyman will grab attention on the outside at wide receiver.

Newcomers to the varsity roster that could make an impact include junior linemen Barret Vieth, Wyatt Davis and Bryan Lazaro-Mendoza, plus sophomore wideout Roger Volkening and freshmen RB/LBs Maddox Goebel and Ross Crist.

“Overall I think we are going to be an under the radar team that has a chance to surprise some people. I feel our player leadership is much improved which relates to better team chemistry. We are starting to turn the corner where guys just want WIN regardless of their role on the team,” Winkers said.

The revamped SWAL sees Parkview-Albany and Belleville joining the mix, with Iowa-Grant moving on, joining Southwestern, La Crosse Aquinas and Onalaska Luther as other teams that have left the SWAL in recent seasons. Still, with Mineral Point, Fennimore, Lancaster and Cuba City all back in the mix, the league figures to be highly competitive.

“Our goal is the same as every year — compete for a conference title and make a deep run in the playoffs,” Winkers said.

The Redbirds open the season with Platteville, then host St. Mary’s Springs in Week 2 before beginning conference play against Mineral Point. In Week 5, the Redbirds host Benton-Scales Mound-Shullsburg. 

“We need to be clicking early in the season in order to win those two games,” Winkers said of St. Mary’s Springs and Mineral Point.

Winkers expects Mineral Point, Cuba City and Belleville to be top contenders for the league title, though each team has their strengths and weaknesses. Mineral Point has to replace top athletes Will Straka and Liam Stumpf, while Cuba City relies on QB Beau Kopp. Belleville also returns it’s versatile QB in Trevor Syse, but the physical size of the linemen for the Wildcats is smaller than many others. Fennimore is in Year 2 of a new coach, while Lancaster will be in its first year without legendary coach John Hoch at the helm for the first time in decades.

“It sounds like most of their staff will remain — this is huge for them. Because of their staff, I could see them still finding a way to sneak into the playoffs,” Winkers said.