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 6
Division 7
8-Player

1. Darlington - After years of close calls, including seven runner-up finishes, Darlington claimed its first state title since 1995. The Redbirds went undefeated during the regular season and dominated their way to the Division 6 crown, taking down Edgar 42-18. The team is elevated to Division 5 this season, where they are expected to remain a state championship contender, welcoming back 17 starters. “We bring back a ton of experience from an undefeated state championship team where we running clocked 11 of our 14 opponents,” said head coach Travis Winkers. The list of returning players is impressive. Senior Zeke Zuberbuhler is a returning Honorable Mention All-State pick and committed to Air Force, leading the team in passing and rushing a year ago. Dante Glendenning is another two-way standout, rushing for 977 yards last year, while Calum Crist was All-State on defense and also ran for 852 yards. Ryder Fitzsimons is another talented offensive weapon. Kaden Drake is a top-level lineman up front who is garnering scholarship interest as well. “Two years ago we got moved up and were bounced in Level 2,” Winkers added. “With the tougher competition we need to make sure our depth is better than it was last year.”

2. Columbus - Columbus won the Capitol Conference title last year, which is no small feat in such a strong league. Elevated to Division 4, they advanced to the state semifinals before going out to Little Chute. The Cardinals drop back down to Division 5 this season, where they figure to be among the state’s best once again. There are definitely some holes to fill, including multi-year starting quarterback Peyton Powers, leading receiver Jordan Mobry, and two-way All-State lineman Wyatt Graffin. The return of leading rusher Bobby Tracy is certainly a good start to building something new in 2026. He rushed for 1,189 yards and 21 touchdowns despite sharing a lot of carries with now-graduated Owen Cowell and Peyton Powers. Expect his usage to go up this season.

3. Mayville - The Cardinals had a pair of Division 5 runner-up finishes this decade and had been elevated to D4 in 2024, but dropping back down to D5 last fall, they ran through the regular season undefeated and won some hard-fought victories in a tough postseason run to capture the Division 5 state championship over Northwestern. Head coach Scott Hilber relied on a run-heavy Wing-T offense to rack up big numbers on the ground, and some key components of that unit are back this fall. That includes senior Joe Promersberger, who was second with 831 yards and 14 touchdowns, as well as junior Tanner Schneider, who went for 750 on the ground. The team does have to replace quarterback Emerson Mittelstadt as well as 1800-yard rusher Landen Baker. One of the four offensive linemen to receive some form of All-Conference recognition returns, senior Second Team choice Wes Teeters.

4. Lake Country Lutheran - The Lightning continued to be one of the best and most consistent programs in the state, finishing second in the Metro Classic Conference behind Racine St. Catherine’s and advancing to the state semifinals where they’d go out to Mayville. Veteran head coach Greg Brazgel, the only head coach the program has had, brings back 32 letterwinners in 2026, including eight starters on both sides of the ball. The receiving duo of Ethan Hans and Parker Baranyk will be among the best in the state. The team does need to replace standout quarterback Connor Lubbers, leading rusher Nathan Graf, and star defensive lineman Adam Anderson.

5. Racine Lutheran - The Crusaders finished 7-4 on the field last year, with all of the defeats coming against solid competition. RaLu will be one of the more experienced teams in the division, with nine starters back on offense and eight on defense. “This is the first year in the last three that we will have more than two seniors, with eight,” said head coach Jeff Kraus. There is talent coming back all over the field, including the school’s all-time leading passer Cohen Kraus, who was the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year in the Midwest Classic-Large a year ago. Bryce Austin is a dynamic offensive weapon at receiver and doubles as an all-league defensive back.

6. Grantsburg - It was another excellent season for the Pirates, who went unbeaten in the regular season to claim the Lakeland Conference title, and didn’t fall until the sectional finals against Northwestern. “We have a strong class of 15 seniors,” said head coach Adam Hale, who welcomes five starters on each side of the ball. “Our offensive line has good size and experience, and we return one of the better running backs in the area in Daxter Schultz.” Last season, Schultz rushed for 1,284 yards and 17 touchdowns. Multi-year starting quarterback Brock Matheny and the top three receivers from last year do need to be replaced, however. Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Lakeland, Henry Quintana is among the players that will need to be replaced on defense.

7. Amherst - The Falcons finished second in the CWC-Large last year behind Stratford and 10-2 overall after going out to eventual champion Mayville in a close sectional final. The CWC figures to be very competitive this year, and Amherst has every chance to be in the mix once again. Marcus Glodowski moves on to graduation after multiple years as a starting quarterback. Top receiver Sully Perkins also graduates, but the team can turn to 1800-yard rusher Ayden Nerdahl to help carry the load once again.

8. Saint Croix Falls - It was another year where Saint Croix Falls and Northwestern went head-to-head for the Heart O’North, and this time it was Northwestern that came out on top, as the Saints finished second. Unfortunately for Saint Croix Falls, the playoffs brought a familiar face in the Tigers, who eliminated them 47-20 in Level 2. “We have a pretty strong group returning, but will definitely need some new guys to step up to fill in the cracks,” said second hear coach Dustin Vickerman. “The benefit is that we will have a strong senior class in regards to leadership and talent.” With quarterback Brett Sladky, who threw for 1,922 yards, and top receiver Drake Peterson returning, there’s a lot of firepower in the passing game. Eli Larson is a returning First Team All-Conference offensive lineman.

9. Tomahawk - The Hatchets put together one of the best seasons in school history, sharing the Great Northern Conference title and advancing to the sectional finals in the Division 5 playoffs. “We will look to returning starters for leadership and some younger players to step up and fill the voids left both offensively and defensively,” said head coach Dewey Reilly. There were quite a few younger players in key roles last season, with junior quarterbacks Jett Reilly and Cash Olsen are back, as well as leading rusher Max Larson. All told, six starters return on both sides of the ball.

10. Spencer/Columbus Catholic - The Rockets made it back to the postseason for the first time since 2021 and won a playoff game for the first time since 2019. They relied heavily on Jack Hoepper, who carried the ball 254 times for 1,729 yards and 23 touchdowns, and his return gives a big boost to head coach Jason Gorst and company. Ryan Bernick and Reven Zschernitz are returning standouts up front.

11. Watertown Luther Prep - The Phoenix were able to sneak into the playoffs last year and nearly pulled off a road upset, falling 28-21 to Brillion. “We have returning players on the offense and defense that will be effective leaders for us,” said head coach David Dodge. “They will have the ability to help bring the new starters up to varsity level speed and expectations.” There are seven starters back on both sides of the ball, including three-year starting quarterback Levi Nottling and leading rusher Jonas Meyer.

12. New Holstein - The Huskies finished third in the Eastern Wisconsin Conference last year, going 6-4 overall after a Level 1 home playoff loss to Spencer/Columbus Catholic. Head coach Matt Rupp brings back seven starters on both sides of the ball, including the starting group of backs, the top receiving threat, and several key pieces up front on offense. Connor Schaefer rushed for more than 1200 yards a year ago, and is joined by James Conrad and Nic Feucht in the backfield. Leading receiver Ely Kohlman is also returning after racking up more than 600 receiving yards. Conner Popp is expected to move into the starting role at quarterback.

13. Amery - Amery tied for fifth in the Middle Border as one of six conference teams to make the postseason. They went 4-6 overall after a Level 1 playoff exit against Aquinas. “This years team returns multiple starters on both sides of the ball,” said head coach Ryan Humpal, who welcomes back seven starters on offense and eight on defense. “With another year of growth and maturity it will be interesting to see what these boys can do on the field. Overall team speed and football IQ are going to be key components for us this fall, along with the competition that will be created in practice with many juniors and seniors on the roster.” Having one of the state’s elite players in senior Keaton Wollan, who recently committed to Wisconsin, will be a big boost. He was the team’s leading rusher last year and among state leaders in tackles.

14. Elk Mound - The Mounders missed the playoffs last year with a 3-6 overall record, dropping three contests by a single score. With 19 returning starters, there’s reason to believe the team should be back in the postseason this fall. “We will have strong numbers and some really good team leaders,” said head coach Dave Lew. “The senior class has some skilled athletes, and an offensive line that has played together for a year to learn to play at the Cloverbelt level and speed. We plan to compete every week and let the scoreboard and record take care of itself.” Among the key returnees are Jaxson Fizel, Parker Rhude, Will Thatcher, Brody Mathison, and Easton Chisholm.

15. New Glarus - The Glarner Knights won the first six games of the year and finished 8-1 in the regular season to earn a share of the SWC title. They’d advance to a sectional final, going out to Lake Country Lutheran. They’ll make the move from the SWC to the SWAL this fall, but looking to replace a solid senior class. Gone are quarterback Matt Roth, 1100-yard rusher Milo Johnson, and top receiver Will Pinnow amongst others, though a couple talented big guys return up front in Brent Weeden and Will Glotfelty.