Last season, Webster Schroeder timed its peak perfectly, overcoming a slow start to reach the Class A-1 championship game.
Considering the degree of roster turnover, expect more late-season progress from the Warriors this fall. Schroeder returns a total of four starters from the previous season, and none of the playmakers that helped its offense set various passing records.
"Your football team starts down here, and you want to end up here. That's the climb. This year we're starting back down here," coach Mike Stumpf said. "Like every football team we graduated a ton of kids and really talented players. We've really gotta focus on this group, how to get them to come together and be a tight-knit family that's willing to work."
Fall 2025 was essentially
the Tale of Two Seasons. Schroeder opened with losses in three of its first four games, then reeled off five consecutive victories — including one over eventual champion Brighton — to reach the section final.
That's where the journey concluded, however. Facing Brighton again, the Warriors' offense never found its groove in what was ultimately a 30-20 defeat.
In its second half surge, Schroeder showed off its malleability. In a mid-October win over Spencerport, then-junior quarterback Kalin Watkins threw for a school record 452 yards with five touchdowns. Two weeks later, it was the defense that shined in a 17-0 sectional shutout over Hilton.
With what's essentially a new cast of players, Stumpf is uncertain whether this year's group can be as pliable. He does know, though, that the playbook will be scaled back in the early weeks of the season.
"We're pretty young and pretty green," Stumpf said. "I think we're gonna look a little different Week 1 than we will Week 7. We have to find out a lot about our guys. Last year we didn't find out until Week 3 or 4."
One benefit will be experience at the sport's most important position. Schroeder has historically favored seniors at quarterback, but Watkins is the exception that proves the rule. He enters his third year as the starter and, along with some veterans on the offensive and defensive lines, will be counted on to show newcomers the way.
"He knows the scheme and understands it," Stumpf said. "The exciting thing about him, now he's the senior guy and he's the one we're gonna lean on, along with Brysen (Terry) and the rest of our linemen. They put in a heck of a lot of work this offseason, and I can't wait to see where we're at Week 5, Week 6."
Webster Schroeder football at a glance
- Head coach: Michael Stumpf (9th season)
- Classification: Class A-1 (Monroe County Division I)
- Last season’s record: 7-4 (lost to Brighton in Class A-1 final)
- Last Section V championship: 2009
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Webster Schroeder football schedule for 2026
- Friday, Sept. 4: 7 p.m. vs. Rush-Henrietta
- Thursday, Sept. 10: 7 p.m. at Fairport
- Friday, Sept. 18: 7 p.m. vs. Penfield
- Friday, Sept. 25: 7 p.m. at Victor
- Friday, Oct. 2: 7 p.m. vs. Hilton
- Friday, Oct. 9: 7 p.m. vs. Greece Athena
- Friday, Oct. 16: 7 p.m. at Pittsford
Webster Schroeder's returning starters and top newcomers
Senior QB/LB/DB Kalin Watkins, senior OL/DL Brysen Terry, senior OL/DL Jeremiah House, senior DL Tommy Reed, junior RB/DL Jeremiah Dyer, sophomore AP/DB Milo DaBella, junior WR/DB AJ Lizzi, junior AP/LB Jordan General
A look back: Webster high school football
Marquee matchups for Webster Schroeder
Traditional rival Webster Thomas isn't on the Warriors' schedule this year. In a tough Monroe County-I division, there's plenty of other games to look forward to. One to circle is Schroeder's home date against Hilton to open October, in a rematch of last year's Class A-1 section quarterfinal. The Warriors won that game in a surprising 17-0 shutout against the third-seeded Cadets. This year's matchup should provide a strong litmus test as Schroeder gears up for sectionals. "No team improves more during a football season than Hilton," coach Stumpf said. "Pretty much returns every player from last season. Large group of three-year starters."
Justin Ritzel is a sports reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on Section V athletics and high school trends.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Webster Schroeder football replacing stars after sectional final run
