A Historic Turnaround
The 2025 season will be remembered as a watershed moment for Holy Cross football. The team finished 11‑1, captured its first winning record in nine years and averaged 37 points per game, signaling a dramatic shift in program trajectory.
Central to that resurgence was a defense that refused to yield. Seven starters return, highlighted by junior twins Jake Rieselman and Jason Rieselman, whose versatility in tackles and sacks has become a hallmark of the unit.
Defensive Continuity
Third‑year head coach Curt Spencer believes the defensive front can match, if not exceed, last year’s production. He points to a deep rotation of linemen, linebackers and defensive backs that gives the team the depth needed to sustain pressure throughout the season.
Explosive Offense Returns
On the other side of the ball, quarterback Brian Ferguson returns after a stellar 2025 in which he threw for 19 touchdowns and just two interceptions while adding over 700 rushing yards and 15 scores. His dual‑threat ability fuels a high‑scoring spread system that remains one of the most efficient in the region.
Key Playmakers
The offense will lean on a core of returning starters, including Max Hunt, who posted 21 catches for 314 yards and six touchdowns, and Charles Oglesby, the workhorse who amassed 832 rushing yards and 12 scores. Dustin Wilson also figures prominently after delivering meaningful carries and three touchdowns. Together they form a balanced attack that can strike from any angle.
Coaching Stability
Spencer’s staff adds further continuity, with Bruce Kozerski overseeing the offense and Rick Lehmkuhl serving as defensive coordinator. Their combined experience has helped embed a culture of development that prioritizes player growth over short‑term fixes.
Postseason Ambitions
The ultimate goal is clear: a deep run in the playoffs that finally surpasses the heartbreak of last year’s loss to Newport. Players and coaches alike speak of building on the foundation laid in 2025, with the belief that the talent and cohesion they have cultivated will translate into postseason success.
Development remains a priority off the field as well. The program plans to add depth through its sophomore class and welcomes a highly touted freshman kicker, ensuring that the pipeline of talent continues to flow and that future seasons inherit a strong, experienced core.