Season Outlook
The Little Chute Mustangs enter the 2026 campaign with a sense of urgency after finishing 12‑2 last year and falling just short of the Division 4 state title. A preseason poll by ESPN Wisconsin has already crowned them the No. 1 team in the state’s Small Schools power rankings, reflecting the optimism surrounding the program.
Coach Mark Krommenacker emphasizes accountability and execution, noting that the team’s strong returning roster gives them a solid foundation. The coaching staff has focused on tightening defensive alignments and improving pursuit, having allowed opponents to score over 20 points only once in the previous season.
Key Players
Running back Reece Joten, the Northeastern Conference Player of the Year, returns after amassing 1,793 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns, while quarterback Jaden Hermsen adds a dual‑threat dimension with 470 passing yards and five scores. Their performances will be pivotal as the Mustangs seek to sharpen an offense that struggled at times in the title game.
The defense, anchored by a disciplined line and a secondary that limited big plays, aims to build on a unit that yielded just one game with more than 20 points. Players such as Barrett Tamulion, Charlie VandenHeuvel and Tyler Hietpas are expected to contribute significantly in the trenches.
The season opens on Aug. 21 at Xavier, a venue that proved challenging in last year’s losses to Winneconne, against whom the Mustangs fell in both the regular season and the championship matchup. Despite those setbacks, the team remains focused on disciplined play and high‑intensity training as they chase a Division 4 crown.