Big Rivers 2026 Football Preview

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: Rice Lake and River Falls shared the Big Rivers title in 2025. River Falls made it to the state4 semifinals, while Rice Lake went out in the sectional finals. Hudson and New Richmond each won a playoff game as well, while Chippewa Falls and Menomonie gave the league six of seven postseason qualifiers.

Note: The Big Rivers is a seven-team conference that is paired with the Wisconsin Valley for one crossover game.

2025 Season Information:
Standings
Stats
All-Conference

2026 PREVIEW:

Predicted Order of Finish:

1) New Richmond
2) Hudson
3) Rice Lake
4) River Falls
5) Chippewa Falls
6) Menomonie
7) Superior

Players to Watch:

Tyler Behnke, RB, Chippewa Falls: Behnke led the Cardinals with 782 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground last year.

D.J. Butler, RB, Menomonie: Butler was a Second Team All-Conference pick last season after rushing for a team-high 792 yards and nine touchdowns for the Mustangs.

Connor Carr, OL, Rice Lake: Carr is the only returning offensive lineman in the Big Rivers to earn First or Second Team All-Conference recognition, receiving Second Team laurels.

Evan Fagnan, DL, New Richmond: Fagnan was a disruptive force up front, recording 18 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks as the lone returning First Team All-Conference defensive player in the Big Rivers.

Austyn Wittek, RB, New Richmond: Wittek was one of the most prolific backs in the state last year, rushing for 1,853 yards and 31 touchdowns. He has given a commitment to North Dakota State.

2026 Team Previews

1) New Richmond lost two Big Rivers Conference games by three points, settling for a third place finish in the league standings. While they’d top Ashwaubenon in the opening playoff game, New Richmond dropped a home one against Oshkosh North the following week. Head coach Reggie Larson likes the team speed at the skill positions, and that is especially true for returning Big Rivers Offensive Player of the Year Austin Wittek, who qualified for the state track meet and has committed to North Dakota State. The Tigers return five starters on each side of the ball.

2) Hudson was in the thick of the Big Rivers Conference race as usual in 2025, and had a chance to grab a share of the title in the last week of the regular season. However, they’d fall to Rice Lake in a tight one and finish in third. The Raiders knocked off Sun Prairie East in Level 1 but were upset by De Pere in a Level 2 home game. There are five starters back on defense this fall, along with several others that received a good amount of time. However, the experience on the offensive side of the ball is a different story. Just one starter is back there, though head coach Adam Kowles likes the speed in the backfield and at receiver.

3) Rice Lake claimed a share of the Big Rivers Conference title last year, then beat Kaukauna and Wauwatosa East in the playoffs before dropping a one-score affair with Notre Dame in a sectional final. It’s been a sustained level of success the last five years, with 17 playoff wins in that span, including a pair of state runner-up finishes and a state title. Once again elevated to Division 2, they’ll have some very good players to replace as they try to maintain their high level of play. It will be a challenge, as they have to replace all ten players that received First Team All-Conference. Second Team All-Conference offensive lineman Connor Carr is one of the more experienced players back this fall.

4) River Falls had an excellent year, winning the Big Rivers Conference title with Rice Lake and then made the deepest playoff run in school history, advancing to the state semifinals before falling to Notre Dame. “We have to replace a really talented senior class from last year,” said head coach Ryan Scherz. “We will be young and inexperienced in lots of spots, especially on offense. We have quite a few returners on defense, so we are hoping that our defense can carry us while our offense matures.” The offense has just four starters returning, and will have to replace multi-year starting quarterback Tino Massa, 1900-yard rusher Joseph Tarasewicz, and big-time receivers Mason Novak and Todd Benedict. Seven starters return on defense.

5) Chippewa Falls went 4-5 during the regular season, finishing 3-4 in the Big Rivers Conference. The Cardinals were given an eight-seed in the playoffs, but nearly pulled off a shocker, dropping a 28-21 overtime contest to Waunakee in Level 1. ChiHi could be poised for a big jump this season, with nine starters back on offense and six on defense, along with players coming in from successful lower level teams. Tyler Behnke and Talen Shilts were the top rushers a year ago, combining for more than 1300 yards and 13 touchdowns, and both return for what could be big senior seasons.

6) Menomonie went just 2-5 in the Big Rivers Conference, but a pair of early non-conference victories were enough to get the Mustangs into the postseason. A 34-31 loss to Onalaska sent the team home early. It ended up being the last game as head coach for Mike Sinz, who left for Eau Claire North in the off-season. Former La Crosse Central coach Mitch Olson takes over this year. He’ll take over a roster with four returning starters on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Aaron Howard and running back D.J. Butler are back in the backfield.

7) Superior could not find a path to victory last year, as despite scoring a good amount of points, the Spartans allowed at least 30 in every game and 40 in seven of the nine contests. Head coach Rob Scott is looking for the program to take a step forward this year. “We will be continuing to improve,” said Scott. “Our strengths are that we have a large and talented junior class. Our senior class is small. A lot of our juniors will be going into this season with significant varsity experience.” The team returns eight starters on offense, including quarterback Carson Smith. Five starters return on the defensive side of the ball.