SPOKANE, Wash. — Whitworth football has established a new standard over the past three seasons.
The Pirates have made three consecutive NCAA Division III playoff appearances, including a Northwest Conference championship last season.
But after a first-round playoff exit in 2025, Whitworth is looking to take another step forward in 2026.
“It’s the standard here,” senior linebacker Drew Cody said. “And if we don’t do that, we’re not going to be satisfied with the season.”
The Pirates’ biggest goal this season is something the program has never accomplished — winning back-to-back Northwest Conference championships.
Head coach Rod Sandberg said the team is motivated by the opportunity to create its own legacy.
“This team’s hungry to create a new legacy,” Sandberg said. “What we have never done in my 13 years here is won back-to-back Northwest Conference championships.”
Experience could be one of Whitworth’s biggest advantages this season.
Quarterback Logan Lacio returns for his final season, while the Pirates also bring back all five starters along the offensive line.
For offensive lineman Isaiah Sittauer, having that continuity up front gives the offense added confidence heading into the season.
“Returning the starting five, that was huge for us,” Sittauer said. “Being able to have that advantage of experience on the line.”
That experience also extends across the roster, giving the Pirates a group that understands what it takes to reach the postseason.
Whitworth came within three points of advancing out of the first round last season, a result Lacio said the team can use as motivation rather than something to dwell on.
“We want to use it as motivation, like you said, and build on it,” Lacio said.
Now, the Pirates are focused on turning that experience into another conference championship — and potentially a deeper playoff run.
Sandberg said the key is continuing to trust the process and stay together.
“If we just keep trusting this process, believe in each other, great things are going to happen,” Sandberg said.
For Lacio, his final season comes with a simple theme: “The Climb.”
“Just taking one step at a time,” Lacio said.
Whitworth will look to take that first step when the regular season begins September 12th against Eastern Oregon.
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