WADENA, Minn.– Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverine football is ready to scratch, claw, and battle their way through the 2026 season.

“I think the biggest thing that’s exciting is the offseason this summer was really good,” said Wolverine head coach Kyle Petermeier. “We had a lot of kids committed.”

WDC spent the summer on the gridiron. Going to a team camp at Bemidji State and a camp with Browerville. The summer activities, combined with experienced players, has made it a fast start to the campaign for 8th-year head coach Kyle Petermeier.

“What’s exciting is the kids have played a lot of football. Obviously doesn’t mean it’s going to translate to wins and losses exactly on the field. But just having kids out here that know more of what they’re doing and we’ve gotten a lot more experience just helps with what we’re doing,” said Petermeier.

It will be year three of the Wolverines implementing the veer and a power run approach. As the team tries to improve upon their 2-7 record from 2025, coach Petermeier says his team is ready to run out of the gate.

“We don’t want to be a team that’s hesitant,” said Petermeier. “We want to get out there and no matter what we’re doing, if we do things right, we do things wrong, we’re doing it fast and we’re doing it physical. So that’s our biggest message this year is that we need to be the team that’s physical and we need to be a team that when we kick off on a Friday night, we’re just ready to go.”

Senior linebacker Noah Drange is ready to wreak havoc all over the field in his final season for the Wolverines. knowing how impactful his familiarity at linebacker can be to have the WDC defense playing fast in 2026.

“It’s a good opportunity to be a leader on the field,” said Drange. “You get to hit people hard and it’s easy to affect the game.”

Drange has been working hard early in practice to make sure his team is ready to take the next step.

“I think a few wins would be nice. I would say .500 in the regular season would be awesome. Anything more than that, even more awesome. It’s been a few years since we won a playoff game. So I think that’s a good goal for us to have,” said Drange.

Another returning starter is junior quarterback and linebacker Camren Snyder.

“I’m trying to look at safeties, linebackers, seeing where they are lining up, seeing if there are any blitzes. Then just making sure all of my guys are set and ready,” said Snyder. “You have game changing decisions and it can all change pretty quick so it’s just, you got to be on top of your game and if you make a mistake you just keep going. You don’t really think about it.”

Snyder is ready to show how his past experience is going to translate on the field.

“Just football knowledge,” said Snyder. “Just knowing what’s going on, reading a defense. is definitely where I’ve improved.”

The Wolverines open up the 2026 season at home against Long Prairie-Grey Eagle. Regional rivals like Otter Tail Central, Menahga, and New York Mills all make an appearance on this year’s schedule.

“It’s going to be awesome,” said Drange. “There’s no other feeling like playing under the lights on a Friday. I can’t wait.”

Coach Petermeier and company know that a decisive team will be a successful one. Their hope is that starting the season with two straight home games will help give their squad a boost to begin the season.

“Week 1 should be a great test,” said Petermeier. “Having the buzz with the new school year starting, it’s just gonna be a very exciting day.”

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