Ratliff back leading Central City program
By Jeff Holmes, Managing Editor
CENTRAL CITY — Cody Ratliff knows what he’s up against as he steps back into the role of head football coach at Central City.
“We will work hard and we will play hard,” he said, “but we are still building.”
The Wildcats are coming off a 2-7 campaign in 2025, but that number is deceiving.
Central City finished last season with wins over GMG (60-58) and Tripoli (68-49), but they also had a tough 70-68 loss to Calamus-Wheatland along the way.
The biggest challenge Ratliff will face this season will be numbers. The Wildcats finished last season with 17 players, including five seniors. But again, Ratliff is optimistic.
“If everyone shows up (the first day of practice) that we expect, we will have about 20 or 25 players.”
On offense, the ‘Cats will be looking for big things from senior Chris Hanson who rushed for 108 yards and caught 24 passes for 446 yards with a total of six touchdowns. Sophomore Charlie Lindley returns at quarterback, seeing limited action last season. But his class is what will be the key for the Wildcats.
“The biggest thing for us will be how the sophomores develop,” Ratliff said. “They are the present and future of this program.
“I also expect big things out of Max Recker and Curtis Stanley on the line,” he added. “They will be key to our offense.”
The Wildcats participate in one of the toughest 8-player districts in the state.
“We have a tough schedule,” Ratliff said, “but we’re going go battle in every game.”
2026 Schedule
Aug. 28 – at WACO
Sept. 4 – Central Elkader
Sept. 11 – Dunkerton
Sept. 18 – at Easton Valley
Sept. 25 – Edgewood-Colesburg
Oct. 2 – at Calamus-Wheatland
Oct. 9 – Kee High
Oct. 16 – at Springville
