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 weeks, Bound Wisconsin will be producing Preseason Football Team Rankings, featuring a Top 15 for each division as well as Others to Watch.

1. Gilman - Gilman went through the 2025 regular season undefeated as one of the most dominant 8-player teams we’ve seen. They continued that into the postseason, advancing to the state championship game while allowing just four points per game up to that point. After downing McDonell Central 38-12 during the regular season, the Pirates couldn’t get things going in the right direction and it snowballed to a 22-0 defeat, settling for a runner-up trophy. There are a number of talented players returning, as the Pirates enter the year as one of the favorites in 8-player. Quarterback Logan Halida is back after racking up more than 1300 yards of offense and 26 touchdowns, while Kolby Keepers and Lucas Halida each ran for at least 500 yards with at least ten touchdowns. Keepers teams with Henry Syryczuk as the top two tacklers a year ago.

2. Owen-Withee - Owen-Withee looked very good against most of the teams on its schedule a year ago, but the Blackhawks couldn’t figure out McDonell Central or Giliman, who the team lost to to open the season and close the playoffs in Level 2. Longtime coach Terry Laube is back with a 228-144 career record and a veteran group ready to challenge Gilman in the North Central-East 8 and the state rankings. The team has seven starters returning on both sides of the ball, including 1000-yard rushers Clay Mueller and Talon Mueller. “We need to take a big step in our ability to play physical football,” said Laube. “Our underclassmen need to continue to develop their skill sets and play with another level of confidence in themselves.”

3. Marion/Tigerton - The Thundercatz lost their first game of the year against Rosholt, but rebounded to win seven straight, including a Level 1 playoff game against Alma Center Lincoln, before going out against Sevastopol. Marion/Tigerton returns Braylon Mielke, who led all of 8-player in rushing last year with 2,068 yards to go with 26 touchdowns as a WFCA All-State pick. He figures to be one of the best players in the division once again.

4. Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas - After a state runner-up finish in 2024, the co-op program advanced to the semifinals last season, falling to eventual champion McDonell Central. It capped another strong year, as the Titans went 11-1 overall. Leading rusher Max Peterson departs, but quarterback Jake Farley does return after finishing second on the team in rushing a year ago. The team makes the move from the Across the Bay to the Northeast-8 this season.

5. Wabeno/Laona - The Rebels went undefeated up until the sectional finals, where they’d drop a 38-14 decision to Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas. It was an outstanding year for the co-op program, who have high hopes once again, especially with the return of All-State quarterback Cooper Albrecht. Last year he threw for 1,859 yards and 26 touchdowns while rushing for 601 yards and 19 scores. The top three receivers from last season do need to be replaced, however.

6. Sevastopol - The Pioneers 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.

7. Turtle Lake - The Lakers make the move to 8-player football this year, coming off a playoff appearance in 2025. The team returns seven starters on offense and defense, led by standout quarterback Brody Tarman along with five offensive linemen who started games a year ago.

8. Assumption - The Royals make the move from 11-player to 8-player this year, and it comes at an opportune time, as longtime head coach Jeff Sullivan has a very experienced group returning. That includes 15 letterwinners, as the team is looking to translate the experience of playing the Marawood Conference to the new game. “I am excited to have eight seniors on our team this fall, which should be our strength,” said Sullivan. “Our biggest weakness will be adjusting to the 8-player game.” Wylie Cornwell, Camden Martin, and Braxten Steinert are experienced skill guys coming back in the backfield.

9. Clayton/Prairie Farm - The teams co-op this year after Clayton finished 8-3 as a playoff qualifier a year ago and Prairie Farm went 3-6 overall. Playing for Clayton last year, Cain Casarez ran for 1,016 yards and 13 touchdowns, while leading receiver Alex Young is back as well.

10. Athens - The Fighting Bluejays qualified for the 8-player playoffs and advanced to Level 2 last season, going 6-3 overall on the field. “We have a nice group of returning players with a lot of game experience,” said veteran head coach Todd Diethelm, who returns nine total starters, five on offense and four on defense. “Our skill and offensive line positions will be solid but we need to get stronger in the weight room to compete with the top 8-player schools in the state.” Senior Dax Diethelm is the top returning rusher for the Bluejays, who do need to replace 1100-yard rusher Evin Passehl.

11. Belmont - The Braves were second in the Ridge & Valley-8 a year ago, finishing behind North Crawford. They’d beat De Soto in the first playoff game before going out against Oakfield the following week. “This upcoming season we look to build on what our group earned last season,” said head coach Brandon Wiese. “We return a large portion of our team, however, we do graduate some valuable leadership so that will be an area of growth for our group to take on this season.” There are 13 letterwinners back and five starters on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Wyatt Temperly leads a solid skill position group, while Bradley Lancaster and Cayden North are the top returning tacklers.

12. North Crawford - The Trojans went unbeaten during the regular season, capturing the Ridge & Valley-8 Conference title. A pair of playoff victories advanced the team to a sectional final, where they’d go out against a very good Gilman team. Head coach Jeremy Fradette brings back 10 letterwinners, with four starters returning on both sides of the ball. “We have good team speed and have a lot of guys who have logged a lot of varsity minutes,” said Fradette. “We will struggle with size.” Look for Zack Bender to make the move from receiver to quarterback, while Sawyer Stluka and Landry Stluka are key skill players for the Trojans.

13. Oakfield - The Oaks captured the Southeast-8 Conference title last year, and advanced to the state semifinals before falling to Gilman in a competitive contest. There will be a number of changes for 2026. “We graduated 11 seniors, which accounted for 14 of 16 starting positions,” said veteran head coach Corey Rickert. “We do have players that have played a lot, but we will be fielding a new offensive line and defensive line.” One of the few experienced players returning is quarterback Austin Harmsen, an All-Conference performer. Keep an eye on Xavier Mielke as well, who should see his role increase quite a bit.

14. Clear Lake - The Warriors are another team making the switch from 11-player to 8-player this season, and they went out in style in 11-player last season with a postseason appearance, winning three of the final four regular season games to qualify. Head coach Neil Larson brings back 11 letterwinners from a year ago, with a good number of seniors included. “New conference, new to 8-player, it’s going to be a learning curve but I think we will do well,” Larson said.

15. Frederic - The Vikings got off to a bit of a rough start against a strong early schedule, but rallied to win five in a row to close the regular season, then dominating Newman Catholic 65-0 in the first playoff game. Frederic would fall to Flambeau the next week, however. Quarterback Royce Anderson is back along with leading receiver Riley Cummings.