Over the next several weeks, we’ll be previewing every conference in the state as part of our preseason preparations.
Check out all of our Football Conference Previews for every league in the state, here.
2025 Recap: Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas dominated the Across the Bay-8 last year, winning the league by two games and advancing to the state semifinals. Algoma and Sevastopol tied for second, as Sevastopol made it to the sectional finals. Suring also made the playoffs.
Note: The Across the Bay-8 is a seven-team league paired with the Northeast-8 for a crossover game. Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas, Suring, and Gillett move from the Across the Bay-8 to the Northeast-8 this year. Valley Christian and Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah move into the league from the Southeast-8, while Oneida Nation forms its own program this year after previously being in a co-op.
2025 Across the Bay-8 Season Information:
Standings
Stats
All-Conference
2025 Southeast-8 Season Information:
Standings
Stats
All-Conference
2026 PREVIEW:
Predicted Order of Finish:
1) Sevastopol
2) Algoma
3) Valley Christian
4) Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah
5) Green Bay NEW Lutheran/Providence Academy
6) Gibraltar
7) Oneida Nation
Players to Watch:
Mason Everts, QB, Valley Christian: Everts was a Second Team All-Conference choice in the Southeast-8 after throwing for 776 yards and nine touchdowns with 170 yards and two scores on the ground.
Sam Gloudemans, RB/DB, Valley Christian: Gloudemans rushed for 718 yards and 13 touchdowns as a Second Team All-Conference pick, adding First Team honors as a defensive back.
Ray Johnson, RB/LB, Sevastopol: Johnson was a First Team All-Conference linebacker last season and also a key part of the running and receiving group.
Sam Neal, RB, Gibraltar: Neal rushed for more than 1000 yards as a just a sophomore last season for the Vikings.
Cole Wagner, QB, Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah: Wagner was a First Team All-Conference pick at quarterback in the Southeast-8 Conference a year ago.
2026 Team Previews
1) Sevastopol made a strong run last season, advancing to a sectional final in 8-player before falling to Oakfield. The team has to replace All-State quarterback Logan Schuh and has some work to do on the offensive line, but head coach Dan Judas does like the look of the returning experience on defense. In total, 11 letterwinners are back, including five starters on offense and six on defense.
2) Algoma went 6-2 last year and finished in a tie for second in the Across the Bay-8, but their enrollment continues to be too large to qualify for the 200-student cap for playoff eligibility. The Wolves lose the majority of last season’s playmakers, including quarterback Lane Cochart, who led in passing and rushing, as well as Joey Cabino and Parker Liscka.
3) Valley Christian put together an excellent 2025 season, qualifying for the 8-player playoffs for the first time. After a second place finish in the Southeast-8, the Warriors defeated Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah in the playoffs before going out to Wabeno/Laona. Head coach Ben Birr brings back a nice group of seniors that will look to build on last season’s success. “The experience they bring, physicality, speed, and knowledge of the game will be our strength,” Birr said. There are five starters returning on offense and six on defense. Mason Everts is back at quarterback, along with running back Sam Gloudemans and three starters on the offensive line.
4) Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah dropped a pair of regular season shutouts to Oakfield and Valley Christian, but did finish 6-2 to qualify for the playoffs. They’d go down a second time on the season to Valley Christian in the opening playoff game. The Elks made the move to the Across the Bay-8 this year, and return First Team All-Conference quarterback Cole Wagner plus Second Team all-league running back Jack McKibben and receiver Brennan Goble.
5) Green Bay NEW Lutheran/Providence Academy went 4-4 last year overall and 4-3 in the Across the Bay-8, but their enrollment was too large to qualify for the 8-player postseason. Oneida Nation leaves the co-op this year, making the team now eligible for the playoffs. Hayden Schultz is back at quarterback, with juniors Cashe Martin and Julian Trimberger a couple of experienced pass-catchers.
6) Gibraltar was like many 8-player teams, as the Vikings didn’t really play any competitive games one way or another last year. Their two victories came by 29-plus points, while all six of the losses were multi-score defeats. The basis for a strong running game returns, including 1000-yard rusher Sean Neal as well as Parker Gallent and Giovanni Mercier in the backfield.
7) Oneida Nation forms its own program this fall after previously competing as part of the Green Bay NEW Lutheran co-op. Their first game is a non-conference contest against Menominee Nation, while they open the league schedule against Gibraltar the following week.
Travis Wilson serves as the Bound Wisconsin Manager. Wilson was selected as part of the Sports 40 Under 40 list by Coach & AD Magazine and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association for 2019. The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) named Travis the 2015 recipient of the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award. He currently serves on the WFCA Executive Board and is a member of the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. A graduate of Richland Center High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Travis was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball, basketball), inducted to the Richland Center High School Hall of Fame in 2023, and currently resides in Reedsburg. You can follow him on Twitter at @travisBound or reach him at [email protected].
