The 2024 season is definitely going to look different for the Varsity Hamilton Football team. The team loses a handful of seniors that were also strong starters, and key players in these last few seasons. One being Senior Running Back, Ben Boehm. Boehm has been a 3 year varsity player for the Hawkeyes and a go-to player in tough situations. The team will need to fill a large gap without him, but no doubt it will be done with this upcoming squad. Another player that the Hawkeyes lose is Senior Quarterback, Justin McIllwain. Although he was only a one year QB starter he brought athleticism and quickness to the team that they will have to replace next year. We got a glimpse of the future after McIllwain went out with a knee injury near the end of the season. Keaton Haverdink was also an All-Conference Honorable Mention and senior for the Hawkeyes leaving a gap to be replaced. On the defensive side of the ball we graduate two strong seniors in Max Brink and Gabe Mast, but there are also some strong young players to fill their shoes.
The schedule for next year is still up in the air as the OK-Conference is still working on the realignments after 7 teams removed themselves from the conference lineups. This year Hamilton was apart of the OK-Blue conference and finished 7th in the conference. The Hawkeyes were originally put in the OK-Gold for the 2024-25 season but with the teams leaving the conferences will be reshuffled.
Key returning players for the Hamilton Football are sophomores Tyler Michielsen, Michael Klomparens, and Brooks Hawkins. All 3 were underclassmen brought up for this season and will be a large piece to the puzzle for a successful next season. Brooks Hawkins will fill the role as running back after senior, Ben Boehm, graduates. They all brought positive attributes to the team that will be carried into their next 2 years here. Also, Jeren Bronkhorst and Grant Petrolieje are returning juniors that will play a large role for the Varsity Football team next year. Jeren was an All-Conference Honorable Mention and strong component of the team. With losing a starting QuarterBack, Grant Petrolieje will step into that role in the upcoming years which makes him an important part of the 2024 season.
As the 2024 season gets closer and closer, Hamilton Football keeps preparing and will bring back some key players to set up a successful season.