WINFIELD WARRIORS – FOOTBALL
.
Winfield High School went 3-7 and is led by the first four-year class under head coach Cory Elmendorf, now in his fourth year. Elmendorf writes, “This will be my first 4 year class at Winfield. The 2027 class have worked really hard in the classroom, weight room, and during the off season with conditioning, flexibility, and speed training.” He notes they have “some experience coming back” but must “fill some holes with our younger guys who are eager for the opportunity,” and believes they can be competitive if they “limit the mistakes and penalties” and “play mistake free football and not beat ourselves.” Assistants include Chris Mitchell, Nick Gremaud, Kason Brown, Koel Orchard, Zach Rolfes, Chase Rankin and Mike Hudson.
Offensively, Winfield returns four starters and runs a Power Spread. The staff says their “biggest strength going into the 2026 season is our offensive line,” with “great size and leverage up front” and a clear goal “to run the football.” Senior tackle Michael Elsenrath (6-4, 288), senior guard Isaac Johnson (5-10, 205), senior receiver Blake Norton (6-0, 200) who had “14 rec 137 yards 1 TD,” senior tight end/receiver Jayce Haight (6-2, 210), junior quarterback Dominic Yowell (6-3, 190) returning from an ACL injury, and senior running back Alexavier Bennett (5-11, 225) who had “18 att 97 yards 2 TD” headline the group.
Defensively, six starters return in a 4-2-5 with multiple schemes. Senior guard/defensive tackle Jackson Schultz (6-0, 235) made “35 solo tackles, 9 assist, 44 total tackles, 13 T4L, 1 sack, 1 FumRec” and earned “2nd Team Defense GAC North, 2nd Team Defense All District Class 3 District 3.” Schultz is the team’s MVP nominee, and Elmendorf calls him “a big athletic kid who gives offenses problems” with college potential, noting his 3.7 GPA and perfect off-season attendance. Bennett at end had “27 solo tackles, 15 assist, 42 total tackles, 3 T4L, 1 sack” and was “2nd Team Defense GAC North,” Haight at end contributed “37 total tackles,” senior linebacker Kayden Ash (5-11, 195) made “29 total tackles,” senior defensive back Noah Killion (5-11, 170) recorded “43 total tackles, 2 T4L, 1 FumRec, 1 Int,” and junior DB Kri’Shaun Perkins (5-9, 160) added “18 total tackles, 1 Int.” The staff stresses returning six starters, increased strength up front, and edge rushers Haight and Bennett plus dominant tackle Schultz as the heartbeat of the defense.
