PREDICTION: Kokomo Looks to Find Consistency Under First-Year Coach Grant Foes
The high school football season is fast approaching, and there’s no better time to start predicting regular-season records for teams across the county.
Every game matters during the regular season, and one result can change the outlook for an entire year. Leading up to the start of the 2026 high school football season, we'll break down each Howard County team's schedule, predict the outcome of every matchup and project where each team could finish. From returning contenders to teams looking to make a jump, we'll examine the biggest storylines heading into the season.
We begin with Kokomo. Can the Wildkats put together a winning season under a first-year head coach? Let's take a closer look at the schedule and see where we think Kokomo will finish when the regular season comes to an end.
Kokomo High School
Head coach: Grant Foes (0-0 in first season at Kokomo)
Kokomo enters the 2026 season with a new head coach for the second consecutive year. Grant Foes takes over the program after serving as an assistant coach with the Wildkats during the 2025 season. The Princeton High School graduate is entering his first season as a head coach after graduating from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2025.
Foes inherits a program coming off a 4-7 season that ended with a loss to Lafayette Jefferson in the sectional championship. While Kokomo will adjust to another coaching transition, the Wildkats return several key contributors from last season, including the top three tacklers from the 2025 team.
Senior quarterback Luke Callaway returns after splitting time in a two-quarterback system last season. In seven games, Callaway completed 63.4% of his passes for 956 yards and 14 touchdowns. Senior wide receiver and defensive back Ben Carey also returns after making an impact on both sides of the ball. Carey recorded 10 receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns while finishing third on the team with 64 tackles. He also added two tackles for loss, one interception and three pass breakups.
With a first-year head coach and senior leadership returning on both sides of the ball, Kokomo enters 2026 looking to build on last season’s sectional championship appearance and take another step forward.
Kokomo 2026 Football Schedule (Predicted Results)
Aug. 21 — vs. Mount Vernon (Fortville)
Prediction: Kokomo
Aug. 28 — at Terre Haute South
Prediction: Terre Haute South
Sept. 4 — vs. Pendleton Heights
Prediction: Pendleton Heights
Sept. 11 — at Jeffersonville
Prediction: Jeffersonville
Sept. 18 — vs. Anderson
Prediction: Kokomo
Sept. 25 — at Marion
Prediction: Kokomo
Oct. 2 — at Lafayette Jefferson
Prediction: Lafayette Jefferson
Oct. 9 — vs. Muncie Central
Prediction: Muncie Central
Oct. 16 — at Richmond
Prediction: Kokomo
Predicted regular-season record: 4-5
With a new head coach and several experienced players returning, the Wildkats enter the 2026 season looking to build on last year's sectional championship appearance. Kokomo will have plenty of opportunities to prove itself throughout the regular season.
Next up, we'll head west for a look at the Western Panthers as we continue predicting regular-season records for Howard County football teams ahead of the 2026 season.
