Nevis Tiger football is ready to turn the page into the 2026 season.

“We still have to build that new foundation here and write a new chapter for Nevis football,” said head coach Kevin Longtin.

Foundation for the new era of nevis football started last season, when the tigers jumped up from 9-Man to Class A in 2025. Leaving behind an era where they won the state championship in 2023. After a 3-6 record last season, second year head coach Kevin Longtin hopes to continue laying the new foundation and building up into the future.

“One of the big things that we have been preaching to them. Our motto this year is brick by brick. Last year, we established that base foundation and now it’s going to take everybody,” said Longtin. “A lot of them, that dedication and commitment has been pretty good this last year.”

Losing only five seniors from last year’s team, the Tigers will lean on their returning starters who already have gained valuable experience on the varsity field.

“A big thing with them. A lot of those guys, they found themselves in two-way starter roles last year where as sophomores, they graduated a big class of seniors that year, a lot of them didn’t get on the field a whole lot where last year they were learning too, ‘I have to be a leader on the field, I have to be a leader off the field.’ This year we have had several guys really step up and take on that leadership role,” said Longtin.

Senior Freddy Arellano is ready to put his brick in place. Ready to use the experience he gained from last season to go all out in his senior year.

“Last year as a junior I learned a lot starting and now as a senior I am ready to play again with the same determination and even higher level of effort. As a senior it means a lot going into my last year,” said Arellano.

Playing on both the offensive and defensive lines, Arellano takes pride in playing at his defensive end position the most. Especially seeing his unit working together to stop opposing offenses.

“With defense, I really like hitting people and the people with the ball. just feels good when the team coordinates on defense and we get a good down,” said Arellano.

But it will take both sides of the ball for the foundation to keep building in 2026. Senior Peyton Benson also rushes the passer as a defensive end while playing at running back, wide receiver, and tight end on offense. Benson is ready to play wherever the team needs him most.

“I like to be a play-wrecker. on offense, on defense. make big plays to help my team. Even if it’s not me individually getting yards, getting the passes, getting the tackles but I like to have my team make big plays as a team,” said Benson. “Honestly, whatever helps the team the most. I’m a guy that likes to help our team get wins. so whatever I got to do is whatever I got to do.”

Another tiger is ready to go to work in the trenches. Senior Hunter Simon is looking to make up for lost time after a season ending thumb injury cut his 2025 campaign short.

“Just working on improving and trying to finish my football career off strong in my senior year. trying to get above .500 is my goal for this year to try and make it so we are at least at or above even,” said Simon.

To get there, Simon will need to lean on the experience he gained learning the intricacies of playing nose tackle.

“You have to have a lot of hand fight. You have to have the ferocity to kind of keep going and keep chasing after people and you really have to have the hand fighting down. That’s a major part of being able to get by those offensive lineman,” said Simon.

Nevis Tiger football will continue laying the foundation in 2026. Coach Longtin and company know that they will get there by laying a brick down each day. building something to show the Nevis community each and every week.

“I actually just got the butterflies when you asked me that. Gameday is always an exciting experience. you have your girlfriend, mom, dad in the stands watching you. always an exciting experience to have. You’re just around the guys and everyone is hyped and ready to go,” said Simon.

“I’ve [talked with] several people in the community and all they can say is that they can’t wait to do the tailgating beforehand. Waiting for that first kickoff and waiting for that ball to drop. There’s nothing better in a small town,” said Longtin.

Nevis opens the 2026 season at Crookston on Thursday, September 3.

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