DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) - For the Golden Eagles, elation was followed by a need to turn the page.

Dubuque Wahlert won their school’s first ever state football championship in 2024.

“I felt so blessed cause we had so many amazing seniors, and to just be a part of that was amazing,” said senior lineback Noah Krapfl. “And then I think a week later, I see on my phone pop up ‘football 2025 group chat’ and I’m like ‘alright let’s do this.’”

That team was loaded with now-graduated seniors. The Golden Eagles will have to replace over 75 percent of the team’s carries and nearly 90 percent of their team’s receptions.

“Eventually I got my mind wrapped around that we’re gonna lose all those guys,” said senior running back and linebacker Will Welbes. “We got a bunch of guys to build up, get prepared f

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