The first football games of the year are just over a week away, and we’re excited to kickoff a new season!

Over the next several days, Bound Wisconsin will be producing Preseason Football Team Rankings, featuring a Top 15 for each division as well as Others to Watch.

Previously Released Rankings:

Division 1
Division 2
Division 3
Division 4
Division 5
Division 6
Division 7

1. McDonell Central - The Macks just couldn’t quite figure out Owen-Withee last season. The team went a perfect 8-0 against everyone else, dominating along the way, but dropped a conference game to Owen-Withee during the regular season before falling to the Blackhakws in Level 2 of the playoffs. The team has to replace quarterback Grant Smiskey, but top rusher Dawson Moulton leads a strong returning group.

2. Owen-Withee - The Blackhawks dominated 8-player football last season en route to an unbeaten season and WIAA state championship, the school’s fourth overall after three previous titles in 11-player football. Longtime head coach Terry Laube feels his team can compete once again despite some graduation losses, with four starters returning on both sides of the ball.

3. Gilman - Gilman dropped one-score games to McDonell Central and Owen-Withee, and was initially included in the 8-player playoff field released by the WIAA. However, a short time later, the team received word that the WIAA made an error, and the Pirates were actually out of the postseason field. With eight starters returning for veteran head coach Robin Rosemeyer, they should be in the thick of things in a loaded North Central-East Conference that features out top three teams in the preseason rankings.

4. North Crawford - North Crawford had an excellent 2024 campaign, but couldn’t get past Highland, falling to the Cardinals in the regular season to finish second in the Ridge & Valley-8 while also going out against Highland in Level 2 of the playoffs. It was the only two losses of the year for the Trojans, who finished 8-2 overall. Head coach Jeremy Fradette has to replace dynamic quarterback Andrew Munson, but brings back some solid playmakers in Landen Blaha and Cullen Jacobus, with 11 starters returning overall.

5. Algoma - The Wolves finished 7-1 last year but due to enrollment limits, the team was not eligible for the playoffs. Their enrollment remains over 200, meaning they continue to be ineligible for the postseason, though they should have a solid group once again. Quarterback Lane Cockart returns while fellow senior Parker Liscka is a dynamic threat as a runner or catching passes.

6. Clayton - The Bears were really close to a special season in 2024. The team dropped a one-score game to McDonell Central to open the season then fell in a competitive crossover against Owen-Withee. They still qualified for the playoffs, but wen tout to Northwood/Solon Springs in Level 2. There are five multi-year starters to replace, but seven starters to return, including All-Conference performers Dayne Mumm and Cain Casarez.

7. Almond-Bancroft - The Eagles rebounded from an early loss to Port Edwards to grab a share of the Central Wisconsin-8 title last year. The team qualified for the 8-player playoffs for a second straight year, falling to North Crawford in the first game. Head coach Andy Louis, an Ithaca High School graduate, brings back ten starters, including quarterback Emmitt Stiles, though they’ll have to replace the state’s leading receiver from last year, Ayden Phillips.

8. Hurley - The Northstars made the move to 8-player last year and rattled off six straight wins to open the year. However, they’d fall to Phillips late in the year to finish second in the Northwoods-East and then to Northwood/Solon Springs in the first playoff contest. Legendary coach Scott Erickson retired in the off-season, as Christopher Edyvean takes over the program, with ten starters returning, including good depth at the skill positions.

9. Oakfield - The Oaks have been one of the most consistent programs in 8-player football over the last decade, and figure to be a contender in the Southeast-8 Conference. Head coach Corey Rickert welcomes back ten starters this year but they’ll have to replace quarterback Mitchell Moser as well as key lineman Alex Erber.

10. Newman Catholic - It was an odd season for Newman Catholic, who saw a rash of early injuries lead to a mid-game forfeit against Almond-Bancroft, only to rally with seven straight wins to grab a share of the Central Wisconsin-8 Conference title and qualify for the playoffs. With all the injuries, a large number of players saw game action last year and that should help the Cardinals this fall.

11. Wabeno/Laona - The Rebels were just off the pace in the Northeast-8 last year, falling in a close 32-28 game to Wausaukee early in the year, finishing second in the league standings. The team would make the playoffs but exit against Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah in Level 1. Cooper Albrecht is back as the team’s top passer and rusher from a year ago.

12. Wausaukee - The Rangers won an outright championship in the Northeast-8 Conference a year ago, going a perfect 7-0 in league play. The only two losses of the year came against 8-player runner-up Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas, first in a late-season replacement game and then in a tough Level 1 playoff matchup. The team relied heavily on quarterback Luke Smith, who amassed more than 2700 total yards of offense, and his graduation leaves a considerable hole in the offense coming into the new year.

13. Bruce - Bruce dropped the first two games of the year in 2024, but rebounded with six straight wins to close things out. However, a 6-2 record wasn’t quite good enough to get them into the playoffs last year with just 16 qualifiers, though they’ll stand a better chance with this season’s expanded 8-player field of 32 teams. The Red Raiders bring back nine total starters, including 1400-yard rusher Ryder Rodewald.

14. Shell Lake - The Lakers were close to make the WIAA 8-player postseason a year ago, but a couple one-score losses amongst three total on the season left the team outside. They’ll have to replace leading rusher Brock Naessen, a converted lineman who wore number 55, but do return quarterback David Marcoux and third-leading rusher Trey Bos.

15. Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas - The co-op program has put together a strong run the last few years, including a trip to the WIAA 8-Player State Championships last season, where they’d finish as runner-up against Owen-Withee. The bulk of that team moves on, however, as there will be a number of new faces in key roles. Max Peterson is the top returning rusher with 620 yards and 15 touchdowns a year ago.