The first football games of the year are still a couple months 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.

Previously Released Rankings:

Division 3
Division 4
Division 5
Division 6
Division 7
8-Player

1. Notre Dame - After a Division 3 state championship in 2024, Notre Dame was outstanding again in 2025, going unbeaten in the regular season and advancing back to Madison in Division 2 against a very tough playoff schedule. In an outstanding championship game, they’d drop a 28-14 decision to West De Pere to finish as runners-up. There are extremely high expectations again in 2026, especially with the return of senior Wisconsin running back recruit Kingston Allen, who set a new state record with 3,436 rushing yards and 57 touchedowns a year ago. He’s far from the only standout coming back, as the Tritons also return two-way All-State lineman Richie Flanigan, a Notre Dame recruit, as well as Iowa State tight end recruit Joey Massey. The top three tacklers from last season also return, as the Tritons are loaded up for a deep run once again.

2. Grafton - Grafton played a tough schedule, especially in the non-conference and playoffs, with regular season wins over Mount Horeb/Barneveld and Port Washington before postseason victories over standout teams like Plymouth and Catholic Memorial to advance back to Madison for the second time in the last three years. The Black Hawks won a thriller over Reedsburg, kicking a 35-yard field goal with just seconds remaining on the clock. Head coach Jim Norris’ crew is elevated to Division 2 this season by the WIAA’s Tournament Performance Factor. “We graduated multiple players who accumulated more than 40 career starts and played significant roles in four consecutive conference championships and a state title run,” Norris said. “While there are talented players ready to step into those opportunities, developing game experience and replacing the leadership of that senior group will be an important part of the team's growth throughout the season.” Six starters return on offense, including 2000-yard rusher Jack Nelson. Hank Doyle is a fast-rising Class of 2029 tight end prospect who has already received an offer from Wisconsin. Hunter Klippel is expected to step in at quarterback. While six starters return on offense, just two are back on the defense for the Black Hawks.

3. Homestead - The Highlanders won an outright league title in the tough North Shore Conference, going unbeaten to the state semifinals. There, they’d drop a one-point heartbreaker to eventual state champion West De Pere. “Experience is a strength, especially on the perimeter of both sides of the ball,” said head coach Drake Zortman of his returning group for 2026. “We also bring back five of seven starters on our defensive front. We will add in a nice mix of young guys who look great and gained valuable experience the past couple years in our playoff runs.” Lee Zortman returns after accounting for 23 total passing and rushing touchdowns. Rylan Miller saw time in the backfield as a ballcarrier and returns as well. There are a total of six starters returning on both sides of the ball.

4. Monona Grove - The Silver Eagles had one of their better seasons in the last few years, dropping just one regular season game, a 14-13 decision to old rival Waunakee, before exiting against Homestead in a 14-10 playoff defeat. “Though we lose 21 seniors and lack game experience, we bring back some key components,” said head coach Brandon Beckwith, a 1996 Monona Grove graduate. The offense returns five starters, including quarterback Jaxon Zukowski and leading rusher Makai Fowler. Deangelo Clay is one of the most disruptive defensive players in the state, with 25 tackles for loss and nine sacks a year ago. He’s received several D2 offers plus a preferred walk-on invite from Wisconsin as a fullback.

5. Kaukauna - The Galloping Ghosts struggled in some close games last year, and it led to a 4-6 overall record and Level 1 playoff exit against Rice Lake. Head coach Matt Binsfeld is looking forward to what is in store for 2026. “I am excited about the season,” he said. “There are a lot of questions to answer, but I think we have some pieces that can fit together. I am hoping our offense takes a step with some experienced quarterback play returning. Our offensive line should be bigger than last year and while our defense will be young, there are some difference-makers there.” Junior quarterback Ryan Carrel headlines five starters returning on offense, with Tyler Schwalbach and Bennett Geitner a couple big play options in the passing game. The defense has a little more work to do, with just three starters returning.

6. New Richmond - The Tigers 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.

7. Germantown - The Warhawks were just off the pace in the Greater Metro Conference, dropping midseason games to Hamilton and Brookfield Central by a combined five points. Defeating Wauwatosa West in Level 1, they’d go out against Monona Grove the next week. Replacing Vinny Inga, who threw for more than 1900 yards and also led the team in rushing, will be a challenge, but the Warhawks have one of the best offensive line groups in the state. Cole Reiter has committed to Wisconsin, while Carter Gordon has received D1 offers as well.

8. Pulaski - The Red Raiders went 7-4 overall last year, including a pair of losses to eventual Division 2 state champion West De Pere. The Phantoms and Bay Port have been the top dogs in the FRCC-North for a while, but Pulaski is hoping they have what it takes to finally break into that top two. “This year’s squad has some really good steam speed,” said veteran coach Jerad Marsh. “It’s a hard-working group who has high expectations of themselves and the team.” The quarterback spot is incredibly important in the team’s single-wing offense, and Bohdan Schmidt is back to man that spot. Last year he led the team with 1,471 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground, while adding more than 500 passing yards as well. Four offensive linemen are among the seven starters back on offense. There are five regulars returning on the defensive side of the ball.

9. Rice Lake - The Warriors 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.

10. Slinger - Coming off a state title in 2024, the Owls were solid last fall, but certainly not quite at the same level. They’d finish second in the North Shore Conference, and after an opening playoff win against West Bend West, they’d go out in a shootout to Notre Dame, finishing 8-3 overall. There are just two starters returning on offense, but six on defense. “Strengths will be our perimeter play on both sides of the football,” said head coach Bill Jacklin. “We have speed and athletes that can make plays.” There are a few more concerns up front on both offense and defense, with a relative lack of size compared to previous years and a lot of youth. Replacing 2000-yard rusher Kobe Hendricks will be extra difficult.

11. Union Grove - Union Grove won the first eight games of the 2025 season, setting the stage for a winner-take-all showdown with Badger in the final regular season game. They’d fall to the Badgers, but rallied to win a pair of close playoff games before going out against eventual champion West De Pere in Level 3. Veteran coach Craig McClelland brings back 30 letterwinners and 13 total starters as the Broncos look to push Badger at the top of the Southern Lakes conference. “We will have a good mix of returners and newcomers who are ready to take the next step on Friday night,” said McClelland. “Getting the newcomers up to Friday night speed will take some time. Overall I believe we have all the pieces to have another successful year.” The offensive line will be a strength, anchored by senior JJ Fletcher. Quarterback Quinn Schultz and leading receiver Justin Williams return, but 1800-yard rusher Quintyn Martinez will need to be replaced.

12. Holmen - The Vikings finished in a tie atop the Mississippi Valley Conference, going 8-1 overall in the regular season. They’d get a two-seed in the playoffs, but lost an opening game to Nicolet. A talented senior class departs, but head coach Travis Kowalski does return 12 starters from a year ago. “We will have 28 seniors this year, which is the largest group of seniors in my 18 years at Holmen,” said Kowalski. “Pairing that with 24 juniors, we will have a lot of competition at every position.” They don’t have a lot of carries under their belts, but look for John Faherty and Jaki Ayed to get a lot more chances in the backfield, behind three returning starting offensive linemen. The defense is strong in the backend, including MVC Defensive Player of the Year Mason Flury.

13. Beaver Dam - Beaver Dam won just four games last year and fell in the first playoff game, but there’s reason to believe they’ll be much improved in 2026. After missing a good amount of time last season, junior running back Brock Hiley is back and expected to provide a big boost. He’ll join returning quarterback Jaxon Ladron as well top receiver Ashtyn Seifert, with a total of seven starters back on offense, which includes talented lineman Caleb DeZarn. Six starters are back on the defensive side of the ball. The Golden Beavers make a conference change, moving from the East Central to the Badger-Small.

14. River Falls - It was an excellent year for the Wildcats, who shared 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.

15. West Bend West - What a season it was for West Bend West, who qualified for the regular playoffs for the first time since 2010. They’d finish third in a very good conference, the North Shore, and while they’d go out to Slinger a second time in the playoffs, it was a great step forward for the program. Now the challenge for head coach Taylor Ripplinger is building on that momentum. Bringing back starting quarterback Collin Grass is a good way to start the process, as top receiver Xander Collier and experienced pass-catcher Ryan Rose are also returning. They do need to replace 1400-yard rusher Noah Reinhart, however. A talented group returns up front, including First Team All-Conference offensive lineman James Banks, Second Team choice Caden Ustruck, and Honorable Mention pick Christian Zywicki. Banks was a First Team pick on defense as well, where he was joined up front by D1 prospect Colton Markohn.