Last season, the Eisenhower High School football program took an important step forward.
In Padraic McGinnis’ first season, Eisenhower snapped a three-year playoff drought by finishing 4-3 in District 14-6A and returning to the postseason. Now, with 16 returning starters, including all five offensive linemen, Eisenhower enters the 2026 season with a new standard, no longer simply trying to reach the playoffs but believing they have the experience and leadership to compete for championships.
“It starts with culture,” said McGinnis. “Having been around programs like North Shore and Hightower, I’ve seen what championship teams do daily. The details matter: discipline, consistency, and doing things right when no one is watching.”
That championship mindset is being reinforced by a roster with the experience and physical development that McGinnis believes will be critical this season.
“We return 16 starters, many of them seniors, giving us mature, physically developed players who can wear teams down over time,” said McGinnis. “We also have size and physicality up front.”
That experience has taken on even greater significance given the level of turnover McGinnis inherited. Despite losing about 30 players before his arrival last season, the players who remained have continued to develop and lay the foundation he wants for the program.
“Our goal is to blend a physical, run-first identity with modern offensive versatility, enabling us to run the ball, spread the field, and score in multiple ways,” said McGinnis.
That offensive identity is part of a broader transformation under McGinnis, who believes last season’s breakthrough laid the foundation for something bigger.
“Last year, the goal was simply to reach the playoffs, and we came close to a district title while finishing with the No. 1 defense in the district,” said McGinnis. “This year is different. The expectation is to compete for a state championship. Nothing is guaranteed, even with changes in the district landscape. We still have to earn everything through preparation and execution.”
That confidence starts with one of the district’s most experienced offensive lines, as Eisenhower returns all five offensive linemen from last season.
“They function as one unit,” said McGinnis. “All five starters have scholarship offers, but more importantly, they genuinely care about each other and hold each other accountable. Their growth in the weight room has been significant, with every starter in our 1,000-pound club.”
At the center of that cohesive group is 6-foot-3, 280-pound senior offensive lineman Kordae Harris, a 1st Team All-District selection last season who will anchor the unit’s offense this year.
“Every Friday night, we want to show chemistry and physicality,” said Harris.
“Running behind five returning starters gives you a lot of confidence and energy to make the next play,” said senior running back Elijah Dixon. “That makes a group dominant and unbeatable.”
Although Eisenhower must replace key defensive pieces after losing two All-District defensive linemen and a key middle linebacker, they return experienced playmakers elsewhere in the defense.
“It’s more about consistency and development than change,” said McGinnis. “Our commitment to daily strength training has been a major factor in our progress. We still have strong speed at linebacker and returning experience in the secondary, with three starters and two All-District players.”
That consistency helped produce one of the strongest defensive units in 6A Region II District 14 last season, as Eisenhower recorded four shutouts and held opponents to one touchdown or fewer in multiple games.
“We return 16 starters, many of them seniors, giving us mature, physically developed players who can wear teams down over time,” said Padraic McGinnis. “We also have size and physicality up front.”
“The expectation is to build on that,” said McGinnis. “If we stay disciplined and consistent, we believe this defense can match or exceed last year’s performance.”
For senior linebacker Carl Smith, sustaining that success will require more than individual talent. It will require a defense that remains disciplined, coachable, and committed to playing as one.
“We have to be on one accord, play as a unit, and make as few mistakes as possible while believing and trusting in each other,” said Smith.
Experience has raised expectations throughout the program, but Eisenhower knows that potential alone will not end a decade-long title drought. Health and buy-in to the team culture will be critical.
“We have size, experience, strength, and improved preparation,” said McGinnis. “Now it comes down to leadership and execution. I’m proud of our seniors who stayed through adversity after losing around 30 players. They’ve continued to build this program the right way. But nothing is given. Everything must be earned in the classroom, the weight room, and on the field. Our goal is no longer just winning the district. We are preparing to compete for a state championship.”
“This senior class wants to leave a legacy of brotherhood and be one of the best senior classes to come out of Eisenhower,” said Harris. “When people talk about the 2026 Eisenhower football team years from now, we hope they remember us for working as a unit and dominating any team in our way.”
With a veteran offensive line, an experienced defense, and championship expectations, Eisenhower enters 2026 believing it has the pieces to build on last season’s breakthrough.
