Holmen football brings in new crop of seniors to replace 30 that graduated

The Holmen High School football team lost 30 players to graduation after an 8-3 season last year.

Of those 30 were the Vikings’ top three rushers. Numbers, however, won’t be much of an issue with 112 out for football this season.

Coach Travis Kowalski says it’s been a focus of his since he was hired before the 2016 season.

“One of our goals was to build our program, to get 130 kids out,” he said. “We’ve had success the past couple years here, winning, and I think that helps.”

With 30 seniors leaving, Kowalski replaces them with a group of 22 seniors that will determine how successful the season will be.

“You win and lose with your seniors,” Kowalski said. “Seniors will take is where they want to go.”

Kowalski says he picked a tough nonconference schedule, playing Chippewa Falls and Menomonie to prepare his team for conference and the playoffs.

Kowalski liked the mood from his team during the first week of practice. Teams are able to put on pads this week.

Holmen’s first game is on the road in Chippewa Falls on Aug. 17.