Football Bluejays face life after Russell

How will the Waseca High School football team fare without a Russell in the lineup?

Time will tell.

For the first time in many years, the 2026 Bluejays will start the season with no one named Russell on the roster.

The Bluejays, of course, had a dream season last year, going undefeated through the regular season and playoffs and not losing until the Class AA state championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. They finished 8-0 in their conference and 12-1 overall.

The Jays start the season led by captains Titan Rahe, Brady McKenna, Kallen Glynn and Trey Jensen. Glynn, McKenna and Kellen Klinger eamed all-conference honors last year, with Klinger starting his junior year holding most of the Bluejays' passing records.

They did, however, graduate some talented players.

Deron Russell is now playing at North Dakota State University and Jordan Johnston is at UW-Eau Claire. Another key loss was guard/linebacker Lucas Selthun.

Damarius Russell, a 2025 WHS grad-uate, is playing at Iowa State University.

So what are the Bluejays' expectations this fall?

"We expect to be good," said head coach Brad Wendland, who enters his 21st season at Waseca with a career record of 165-79.

Wendland again has a dedicated crew of assistants including defensive coordinator Eric Teders, Boe Leuken, Connolly Truek and Saiveon Williamson.

Waseca returns a total of nine players to the starting lineup as they start the season moving up a class to AAA. They're in Section 3.

What are the team's strengths?

"We will play a lot of guys," explained Wendland. "We'll have balance on offense and will create pressure from our defense."

As for areas to improve, Wendland said they'll find out once practice starts.

The key to success for the Bluejays, according to Wendland, is to stay healthy and be relentless on the field.

Wendland sees Waseca, Fairmont and Tri-City United as the favorites in the Big South, with the same three teams battling for the section championship.

"We are excited to coach this team," said Wendland. We had an incredible defense last year and it's going to be hard to live up to that, but we have tremendous coaching and good num-bers. Offensively, we anticipate being balanced between run and pass. Special teams are an area that think we can have great improvement."

Also vying for varsity playing time:

Aidan DeRaad, Aiden Walker, Alex Dickerson, Alex Bethke, Archer O'Brien, Ashton Hayes, Ashton Kakke, Avery Roessler, Ayden Kath, Ben Dobberstein, Benjamin Androli,

McKenna, Brandon Bartz, Braxton Nelson, Brayden Butler, Brody Gray, Bryan Dejager, Caleb Dufault, Carson Mortenson, Carson Roessler, Carter Dickson, Carter Radcliff, Carter Walker, Charles Helton, Charlie Janike, Chris Jaurez, Colton Madson, Cooper Nelson, Corbin Ristau, Crosby Hinna, Cyrus Vilson, Daries Powell, David Haley, Jominik Marquez, Ebin Linnes Erasmo Sandoval, Evan Worke, Griffin Schuster, Gunner Boswel, Hayden Petersen, Holten Howard, Isaiah Dymeck, Jack Sepulveda, Jackson Janike, Jacob Knutson, Jadon Entinger, James Quade, Jameson Conrath, Jase Buker, Jaxon Gehring, Jaxton Rohl, John Olson, Jordan Worke, Jordan Niedecker, Jose VIera, Joseph Lemieux, Julian Rodriguez, Kallen Glynn, Keegan Glynn, Keian Klinger, Kelton Pierce, Kole Nelson, Kyler Welander, Landan Madsen, Lincoln Castro, Luai Garang, Lucas Boelter, Lucas Danner, Mason Prescher, Max Deml, Mayson Kluver, Mayson Smith, Michael Goodlander, Milo Wachal, Nick Harguth, Noan Cisneros, Nolan Dufault, Owen Arndt, Owen Fierke, Owen Honstad, Owen Rupe, Owen Sommers, Owen Westra, Parker Madison, Patrick Jore, Peyton Groskreutz, Peyton Sommers, Ryan DeWees, Ryan Harguah, Ryder Monahan, Samuel Selthun, Sawyer Ellis, Sean Noble, Shakeen Brown, Toby Jeske, Ton Bethke, Travis Lloyd, Trey Bohannon, Tucker Thompson, Tyler Loewen, Tyler Ryan, Wyatt Arndt, Wyatt Bartz, Wyatt Pertain, Xander Berg, Xander Rivera, Zaeveon Johnson and Cole Mondahl.