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

1. Stratford - Stratford won consecutive Division 6 state titles in 2022 and 2023, which resulted in the Tigers being elevated to Division 5 for the 2024 season by the WIAA’s Tournament Performance Factor points. That didn’t slow them down, as Stratford opened the year with impressive wins over quality non-conference opponents Mosinee and Edgar before blowing through the CWC-Large schedule unchallenged. In the Division 5 state title game, the Tigers never trailed in a 21-6 decision over Wrightstown, capturing a WIAA record 10th championship. Head coach Jason Tubbs stepped down in the off-season, as Marshall Lehman takes over.

2. Grantsburg - The Pirates finally broke through for its first-ever trip to the state finals after a decade of close calls and outstanding teams that came up just short. The team came up just short of a championship, however, falling 26-19 to Lomira. The Pirates bring back 16 letterwinners from that group, including four starters returning on offense and seven on defense. Brock Matheny is back as arguably the top player in the conference, earning First Team All-Conference recognition after throwing for more than 2000 yards. Tight end Caden Matheny and running back Daxter Schultz are also experienced skill players.

3. Amherst - The Falcons extended their playoff streak to 13 years, finishing third in the CWC-Large. It was a rough end of the year, as the team dropped three of the final four games, including two defeats against eventual Division 5 champion Stratford. Veteran head coach Mark Lusic brings back a strong group of playmakers on offense including quarterback Michael Glodowski, leading receiver Sully Perkins, and second-leading rusher Ayden Nerdahl.

4. Northwestern - The Tigers actually finished second behind Saint Croix Falls in the Heart O’North Conference, but got revenge on the Saints in the playoffs, advancing to the state semi-finals before going out against Wrightstown. While there are some key skill players to replace on offense, the team does return six starters offensively with another eight on defense, part of a total of 38 letterwinners coming back.

5. Wittenberg-Birnamwood - The Chargers finished second in the CWC-Large behind state champion Stratford, advancing to Level 2 of the playoffs before going out against Saint Croix Falls. Quarterback Bryson Schmid is an experienced dual-threat, going over 1000 passing yards and 1400 rushing yards a year ago.

6. Lake Country Lutheran - The Lightning are one of the most consistent programs in the state under head coach Greg Brazgel, who started the football program 21 years ago. The team had a tough start against a very challenging schedule, but rebounded to win seven straight before falling to Stratford in a sectional championship. The team expects record numbers in the program, with a number of seniors who have started since sophomore year.

7. Saint Croix Falls - The Saints had another excellent season in 2024, winning the Heart O’North Conference and finishing unbeaten in the regular season. After downing Northwestern in conference play, Saint Croix Falls would go out to the Tigers in a sectional championship. Former Mauston coach Dustin Vickerman replaces Grant Belisle as the team’s head coach, bring back some solid skill players in quarterback Brett Sladky, 1200-yard rusher Alex Hoff, and top pass-catchers Jared Desmith and Drake Petersen.

8. Milwaukee Academy of Science - MAS continued to build its program in 2024, putting together the best season in its young history. The Novas dominated the Midwest Classic-Large, and challenged themselves against larger competition in the non-conference, with wins over Madison West and Racine Park. The only regular season loss was a Week 9 replacement game against a strong Grafton program. The team won a playoff game for the first time ever, and followed it up with a nice win over a traditional power at Darlington. The season would end abruptly in a 39-0 running clock loss to Prairie du Chien the next week, but it was an outstanding year nonetheless for a program that has been around for less than a decade.

9. New Holstein - New Holstein tied for second in the Eastern Wisconsin Conference last year, as the Huskies qualified for the playoffs but would go out to Southern Door in Level 1. Head coach Matthew Rupp brings back four starters on the offensive line as well as quarterback Landon Floyd, who set a school record with 15 touchdown passes last season.

10. Racine Lutheran - Racine Lutheran was perhaps the youngest team in the state last year, with just two seniors and four juniors, relying heavily on a big, talented sophomore class. The youthful Crusaders did some nice things, finishing second in the conference and closing the regular season with a five game winning streak. They’d fall to Brookfield Academy in the first playoff game, however. A dynamic offensive trio of quarterback Cohen Kraus, running back Eli Gasau, and receiver Bryce Austin (all juniors) will be as good as any in the state.

11. Prescott - The Cardinals posted their best season in more than a decade, finishing second in the Middle Border Conference, winning a playoff game before going out against Freedom. It is an athletic group for Prescott, including North Dakota State commit Kobe Russell, a two-way standout at receiver and defensive back.

12. Oostburg - The Flying Dutchmen did some nice things last year, going 5-5 on the field, qualifying the playoffs, though they’d go out to Amherst in Level 1. The team returns eight players who started on offense last year, with nine starters back on defense among 22 returning letterwinners. Running back Charlie DePagter and top receiver A.J. Dolfin are among the top returnees on offense.

13. Mayville - Mayville rattled off seven consecutive wins to open the 2024 season, facing a tough last two weeks. They’d fall to Saint Mary’s Springs in Week 8, but rebounded to defeat eventual D6 state champ Lomira the following week to force a three-way tie for the league crown. Elevated to Division 4 once again by the WIAA’s Tournament Performance Factor, the Cardinals advanced to a sectional final, falling to Winneconne. They’re back down to D5 this season, with a strong group up front but needing to replace much of the skill positions from a year ago.

14. Prairie du Chien - Prairie du Chien was a forced last season, rebounding from a 14-12 opening loss to Aquinas to rattle off 12 consecutive victories, claiming the SWC title along the way. They’d advance to the state semi-finals, dropping a heartbreaking one-point game against eventual champion Stratford. The Blackhawks relied heavily on WFCA Small School Offensive Player of the Year Blake Thiry, and his graduation leaves a sizable hole in the lineup.

15. Stanley-Boyd - The Orioles had an excellent season, coming up just short against Regis for the Cloverbelt Conference race and dropping a narrow 26-21 decision against Northwestern in Level 2 of the playoffs. It ended up being the swan song for longtime successful head coach Jeff Koenig, who retired in the off-season. Former assistant coach Brody Mahr takes over, with a new-look roster coming in.