Members of the 2026 South Loup football team are, front row, from left: Elijah Cool, Malachi Neth, Wacey Schultz, Noah Anderson, and Taytum Wiese; Row two: Michael Corliss, Jacob King, Braxton King, Jett Morgan, Callan Witthuhn, Tysen Schacher, and Brody Green; Row three: Cruz Mason, Emmett Phelps, Braxton Green, Remi Flynn, Dawson Downing, and Jaxsen Schacher; Back row: Aaron Johnson, Reid Birkel, Ethan Jarmin, Jose Melendez, Parker Strasburg, Rowdie Lynch, and Gabriel Stutzman. The team is coached by Head Coach Zac Sweet, and Assistant Coaches Mat Jageler, Mike Weverka and Andy Schwarz.

South Loup athletics will see a couple of personnel changes in 2026-27, as Heath Birkel is stepping away as the co-op’s Activities Director to assume the role of head girls’ basketball coach. Taking his place as A.D. is Andy Schwarz, who will also remain on the sidelines as an assistant football coach.

Taking over the reins as head football coach this year is Zac Sweet. He takes over for Mat Jageler, who is entering his 26th year of coaching with eight of those as head coach.

Sweet is not stepping into the role cold; he has been a South Loup assistant coach for the last two seasons. Along with Schwarz and Jageler, long-time coach