Championship programs eventually face the same question.
What happens when one of your greatest senior classes graduates?
That is exactly where Minisink Valley finds itself entering the 2026 football season.
The Warriors remain one of the premier programs in Section IX, but replacing last year’s senior class will be one of the biggest challenges any team faces this offseason.
The headliner is Zach Filip, the 2025 Section IX Large School Player of the Year.
Filip rushed for 1,503 yards and a school-record 24 touchdowns, becoming the centerpiece of one of the section’s most dangerous offenses. Every defensive game plan started with one objective—stop Zach Filip.
Now that responsibility falls on an entirely new group.
The Warriors also graduate Max Wickrath, one of the most versatile players in New York State.
A First Team NYSSWA All-State defensive back, Wickrath intercepted eight passes, returned two for touchdowns and impacted games in every phase. Offensively, he contributed as both a receiver and runner while remaining one of the section’s most dangerous return specialists.
Those two names alone would be difficult to replace.
But the graduation list extends far beyond them.
Minisink also says goodbye to experienced contributors including Jayden Pressley, Shaheed Mitchell, Anthony Alexis, Ramon Colon, Trace DeJong, Cody Dul, Roman Gangi, Jordan Mabra, Stetson Terpak, Brady Witkowski, Jayllen Castillo, Tyler Dul, Robert LaBarbera, Gavin Scott, Liam Barry and several others who helped define one of the program’s strongest senior classes.
The losses affect every position group.
Offensive line.
Defensive line.
Quarterback.
Running back.
Secondary.
Leadership.
Experience.
The question isn’t whether those players were important.
The question is whether the next generation is ready.
That’s what separates championship teams from championship programs.
Championship teams rely on one great senior class.
Championship programs reload.
Minisink Valley has built its reputation by consistently developing talent and competing for championships regardless of graduation losses. That culture will now face one of its biggest tests.
Who becomes the next offensive playmaker?
Who steps into leadership roles?
Who replaces the production that graduated?
Those answers won’t come overnight.
But one thing is certain.
Every contender in Class A knows that if they’re going to win a championship in 2026, they’ll almost certainly have to go through Minisink Valley.
The names may have changed.
The expectations haven’t.
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