Amherst football preview

In 2025, the Amherst Falcons had a stellar season that ended in heartbreak as they held a lead in the final minute of play in the sectional final of the Division 5 playoffs against undefeated Mayville, who would pull out the win and go on to win the state championship as Amherst finished up their season 10-2 with a 6-1 record in the Central Wisconsin-Large conference.

The expectations are high again for Amherst in 2026, as they return key players to their squad.

Ayden Nerdahl will once again be asked to be the bell cow for the offense after a junior season where he carried the ball 172 times for 1,839 yards and 34 rushing touchdowns and had a kickoff return for a touchdown was voted the conferences offensive player of the year and named to the All-State team, and will be asked to shoulder even more of the offense his senior year.

Another offensive weapon returning from the 2025 team is Cal Lusic, who had 17 receptions for 276 yards and a touchdown as a junior.

Placekicker Tyler Loken will also be a threat to score points as he was voted First-Team CWC-Large a year ago.

Amherst loses plenty of production on the offensive side as they lose Second-Team All-conference quarterback Michael Glodowski who threw for 1442 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, as well as rushed for 598 yards and eight touchdowns, forced two turnovers on the defensive side of the ball and served as the team’s primary punter.

The Falcons number one wide receiver and standout defensive back Sully Perkins has also graduated after a senior season where he caught 31 passes for 786 yards and nine touchdowns, as well as rushed for a touchdown. On defense, Perkins accounted for three interceptions and a forced fumble. As he was named All-conference on both sides of the ball.

Two First-Team All-Central Wisconsin Conference offensive linemen who led the way for Amherst’s explosive offense in Logan Glodowski and Gibson Kenyon will need their production replaced, as well as Honorable Mention tight end Cannen Hodges who caught six passes for 157 yards and a touchdown.

On the defensive side, Nerdahl was also a standout earning first-team All-CWC honors at linebacker with a team leading 72 tackles, including seven for loss, forcing four fumbles, and providing a sack and an interception.

Joining Nerdahl in the line backing core will be Jesse Blenker, who was a second-team all-conference member last season and had 65 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, two fumble recoveries including one for a touchdown and Loken, who was an honorable mention at linebacker and had 59 tackles, one tackle for loss and a fumble recovery.

First-Team defensive lineman Judah Cole, who led the team with five sacks, second-team defensive lineman Kenyon and honorable mentions Hintz and Hodges will need to be replaced on the defense.