10 offensive players due for impactful high school football seasons in 2024 (2024)

With helmets, shoulder pads and jerseys being handed out this week, high school football is officially back in the state of Wisconsin.

The season kicks off for most schools Aug. 23, giving several returning players an opportunity to build upon their successes from a year ago.

Here are 10 offensive weapons set for an impactful season this fall.

Josiah Barnes, Sr., Beaver Dam

Class: Senior

Position:Running back

Things to know:Josiah Barnes experienced his first year of varsity football last season. The 5-foot-8 running back had a limited role in Beaver Dam's offense until he became the starter in Week 5 after Gabe Klatt suffered a season-ending injury. Barnes took advantage of his opportunity, finishing the year with 795 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns, according to WisSports.

Barnes said his junior season has helped prepare him for this upcoming year. He ran track in the spring to improve his speed and has been in the weight room several times a week throughout the summer.

Beaver Dam coach Brock Linde said Barnes is poised for a more explosive senior season, as he learns to patiently get behind blockers and sift out running lanes that develop.

“He has great vision, so he’s able to find gaps and exploit defensive overflow,” Linde said. “He has a low center of gravity, is really shifty and is also one of the strongest players in the program giving us a lot of versatility in different run schemes.”

“Since I’m not the biggest running back I try being more elusive with how I play the game,” Barnes said. “I try weaving my way through the defense rather than being a smash mouth running back.”

Jackson Puttkamer, Sr., Baraboo

Position:Running back

Things to know:Jackson Puttkamer said he wants to put defenders in the ground and gain extra yards after receiving a handoff.

That bruising running style proved effective last season as Puttkamer had 721 rushing yards and four touchdowns for the Thunderbirds, according to Wissports.

The 5-9 senior is more vital to Baraboo's rushing attack this year with Luke Vittengl, the team's leading rusher and former quarterback, having graduated.

Puttkamer said he's expanded his skills this offseason and is now comfortable playing wide receiver, tight end and pass blocking when needed.

“I’m excited about this season but also sad because it’s my last year,” Puttkamer said. “Being able to make first team all-conference would be amazing.”

Ben Paul, Jr., Randolph

Position:Fullback

Things to know:Ben Paul is the Rockets' clear leader and the team's wishbone offense starts with him, Randolph coach Thomas Chase said.

The Rockets were eighth in the state in total rushing yards last season, and Paul accounted for a team-high 1,246 yards. He also scored 17 rushing touchdowns in his first year starting, after playing just four games his freshman year.

“I have the strength to hit some people but I like using my vision, which is my main game to get free in the open field,” Paul said.

“Ben is a great athlete and when you have a devastating fullback like him in their option attack it pulls so much attention from the defense which opens up the option,” Pardeeville coach Robert Harry said. “If you’re not taking him away, he’s going to get 3 or 4 yards every time. I couldn’t believe he was only a sophomore last year and he’s going to be a headache for whoever plays him the next two years.”

Caleb Peplinski, Sr., Horicon/Hustisford

Position:Tight end

Things to know:Caleb Peplinski is the focal point of Horicon/Hustisford's offense this upcoming season. The senior tight end will carry much of the offensive burden as the team lost its starting quarterback and two 1,000-yard rushers from last season.

At 6-6, Peplinski is a matchup problem for opposing defenses, especially when he splits out wide in shotgun formations. Along with his height, he possesses a long wingspan and great leaping ability that's made him a successful basketball player.

Peplinski had 34 catches, 597 receiving yards and four touchdowns last year, according to Wissports. His success earned him first-team all-conference honors in the Eastern Suburban Conference.

“If you try to cover him with a linebacker or even a safety that’s going to be a problem because it leaves you on an island with our two receivers that went to state for the 4x200 this year,” Horicon/Hustisford coach Tim Meyer said.

“Having a weapon like Caleb is the envy of every team. He’s talented, picks up on everything we do and is versatile. He could probably play on any team in the state.”

Boden Frosch, Sr., Sauk Prairie

Position:Wide receiver

Things to know:Boden Frosch was one of two receivers in the Badger Small Conference last season to surpass 1,000 receiving yards.

The 5-10 senior began his breakout year with 17 catches and 428 receiving yards in Sauk Prairie's first three games, before finishing with 1,047 receiving yards, which ranked eighth in the state.

Frosch also had 63 receptions with 12 touchdowns and averaged 104.7 receiving yards per game, according to Wissports.

"He's the total package at wide receiver," DeForest coach Aaron Mack said. "He has big-play capability, good route running and definitely one of the top receivers in the state."

Carter Drews, Sr., Cambria-Friesland

Position:Running back

Things to know:Carter Drews returns for his senior season after leading the Hilltoppers with 1,071 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns last year, according to Wissports.

The 6-foot running back had at least 100 rushing yards in five of Cambria-Friesland's final eight games, while also being the run-centric team's top passer. He completed 24 of 49 passes for 350 yards and two touchdowns last season.

Drews was one of two Cambria-Friesland players named to the Trailways Conference's first-team offense.

Brayden Torres, Sr., Waupun

Position:Wide receiver

Things to know:When it's time for a big play downfield, Waupun calls upon Brayden Torres. The Warriors use Torres on post, streak and crossing routes because he "always gets a few steps away from the defensive backs,” Waupun coach Adrian Harmsen said.

Torres led Waupun with 35 receptions, 518 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last year, according to Wissports. He was also impactful in the rushing game, ranking second on the team with 105 yards.

Harmsen said Torres' next step in development is being able to consistently make contested catches, making him a bigger threat in the red zone.

“Brayden has been doing great but we have a group of guys helping him and it’ll be harder for defenses to focus on one player,” Harmsen said.

Sam Ersland, Sr., Wisconsin Dells

Position:Running back

Things to know:Wisconsin Dells coach Michael Janke said he's excited to have Sam Ersland return this season because it allows him to add new wrinkles to the team’s playbook.

While Ersland is already a dynamic runner out the backfield, the Chiefs plan on finding new ways to get Ersland out in space this year.

The 5-11 senior led the South Central Conference with 1,540 rushing yards on 241 carries and had 16 rushing touchdowns last season.

Ersland leads a group of 18 seniors on Wisconsin Dells seeking a conference title and a deep playoff run in their final year together.

“Sam is a smaller back but his elusiveness, top-end speed and quickness make him hard to rally to as a defender,” Mauston coach Dustin Vickerman said. “He was one of the main reasons our game with them last year was a shootout because we couldn’t contain him.”

Hayden Gyllin, Sr., Mauston

Position:Running back

Things to know:Hayden Gyllin will assume a bigger role in Mauston's offense this season with the recently pass-heavy Golden Eagles ushering in a new group of wide receivers.

Mauston looks to replace the production of Brady Baldwin, who had a team-high 56 receptions and Brock Massey, who was the South Central Conference's offensive player of the year.

Gyllin had 527 rushing yards and four touchdowns in eight games last season, according to WisSports. The senior said he's been going to the track this offseason to improve on his speed and change of direction.

Vickerman said having a returning culture-setter like Gyllin is just as important as him being a workhorse in the backfield.

“Hayden is the hardest working and most committed player I’ve ever coached,” Vickerman said. “He sets the example in our program for other players to follow and it gives you peace with him coming back considering the other pieces we lost to graduation.”

Said Gyllin: “I’m more of a power runner that likes going downhill, meeting contact and punishing the opposing team."

Jamison Wickersham, Sr., Pardeeville

Position:Wide receiver

Things to know:Jamison Wickersham earned the respect of opposing teams last year and subsequently faced double teams toward the end of the season.

Expecting that to carry over into this year, Harry said Wickersham will play different positions based on the formation. The 6-1 senior will play in the slot, take snaps at running back and even play quarterback if Pardeeville runs wildcat plays.

Last year, Wickersham had 277 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, along with 27 receptions, 568 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches, according to WisSports.

“He’s a player you can get very creative with in various formations, which puts more stress on defenses and makes us more dangerous on offense,” Harry said.

“Jamison is a very talented athlete, with all the gifts to be great,” Chase said. “He's an outstanding athlete that we must always know where he is in the formation to try and limit him.”