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 7
8-Player

1. Mondovi - The Buffaloes finished second in the Cloverbelt Conference last year, dropping a close game against Regis for the only regular season loss. They’d get revenge in the playoffs, though, taking down Regis 35-28 in a sectional final. Mondovi would fall the following week against Edgar in a state semi-final. It was a young core group that relied heavily on some sophomore playmakers. Returning are quarterback Bode Falkner, who threw for 2,035 yards and rushed for 1,270, accounting for 40 touchdowns. Also back is second-leading rusher Cameron Gruber (926 yards, 11 TD) plus top receivers Beau Spindler (49, 899, 8) and Griffin Rud (32, 361, 5). The Cloverbelt Conference figures to be extremely challenging again, but the Buffaloes have the firepower to push Regis at the top.

2. Regis - It was another strong year for the Ramblers, who went undefeated in the regular season en route to a Cloverbelt Conference championship. After defeating Mondovi earlier in the year, the Ramblers would fall to the Buffaloes in a sectional final. It figures to be a dogfight between those teams once again for conference and state supremacy. “We have good numbers and buy-in from a lot of very nice and respectful young men,” said head coach Bryant Brenner. There are five starters back on both sides of the ball, but most of the skill players on offense need to be replaced. There is more experience and strength up front.

3. Edgar - After Division 7 state championships in 2023 and 2024, the Wildcats were elevated to D6 last season by the WIAA’s Touranment Performance Factor. After a dominating regular season that saw Edgar allow just 12 points, they’d advance back to Madison in the higher division, coming up just short in a loss to Darlington. They’ll stay in D6 this year, as legendary head coach Jerry Sinz enters 2026 just six wins away from 500 for his career. That includes 50 consecutive winning seasons, over 100 playoff victories, 16 state championship game appearances, and nine titles. That winning tradition will be relied on again to keep the Wildcats competing at a high level, as they return 20 letterwinners including five starters on both sides of the ball. Gone are most of the skill players on offense, though junior Landon Lukasko could be ready to take on a larger role in the backfield.

4. Kenosha St. Joseph - St. Joe’s had a season for the history books, going undefeated to capture the Division 7 state championship. Head coach Matt Rizzo had a veteran group that was led by his son and WFCA Small School Offensive Player of the Year Zach Rizzo at quarterback. He is one of the many players that will need to be replaced this year. “We will be young,” said the elder Rizzo. “We graduated a ton of depth, including All-Conference and All-State players.” One of the key holdovers will be junior Christopher Kenesie, who was First Team All-State as a running back and Honorable Mention as a defensive back. He’s one of just three starters back on offense and defense, however.

5. Bonduel - The Bears dropped a couple tough regular season games to Wittenberg-Birnamwood and Kewaunee, but pushed into the sectional finals, including a one-point win over Kewaunee, before dropping an 8-7 decision to Edgar. Despite losing two-way All-State selection Ryan Westrich, the Bears will be back among the state’s top Division 6 programs behind some talented skill players. Quarterback Quinn Wesenberg enters his senior year as a multi-year starter, while Carter Moesch led the team in rushing (1,504 yards) and receiving (424 yards) last year. Malachi Gray and Jack Zernicki are also back in the backfield, while Jackson Krause and Jayden Popp are two of the top linemen in the league.

6. Manitowoc Lutheran - It proved to be one of the best seasons in school history, as the Lancers went undefeated during the regular season and advanced all the way to the state semifinals before going out to eventual D6 champion Darlington. “Our numbers continue to be strong, which adds depth and options for many positions,” said head coach Ryan Hulse. “We return a good number of boys who played a lot of meaningful minutes last season.” There are just four starters back on offense, however, though three All-Conference offensive linemen are among them. Aaden Krause will likely take over at quarterback, while Charlie Vogel is a breakout candidate at receiver.

7. Saint Mary’s Springs - In the first post-Bob Hyland year, the Ledgers finished 7-4 overall and third in the tough Flyway Conference. Second year coach Zach Wilderman returns 33 letterwinners from a year ago. “We have ok experience overall with guys that have had plenty of real game time roles,” said Wilderman, who welcomes back five starters on offense and four on defense. Starting quarterback Zander Lenz and top receiver Jaxon Sabel are among the returnees as the Ledgers try to get back on top of the league.

8. Belleville - Belleville finished tied for second in the SWAL last year and advanced to a sectional final despite a seven-seed, but the Wildcats make the switch to the Eastern Suburban Conference for 2026. “Our skill positions are going to be a great strength for us,” head coach Mike Nolden said. “A large majority of the returning starters and letterwinners are our skill position players. With that, one of the weaknesses could be our offensive and defensive lines just based on how much we have to replace. We believe we have guys ready to step up and into those roles, but three of our offensive linemen will have to be guys with little to no varsity experience. We have a lot of guys that are very confident and motivated to prove we can make another deep run in the playoffs.” The Wildcats bring back six offensive starters, including dual-threat quarterback Rayden Taylor. Leading tackler Marcus Hebgen heads seven starters back on defense.

9. Lomira - The Lions were doing well early in the year, sitting at 6-1, but dropped the last three games of the season, including a Level 1 exit to Saint Mary’s Springs. “We were extremely young last season, with a senior class of only four,” said head coach Bryan Gregory, who guided the team to a state title in 2024. “We return the core of our offensive line that were primarily sophomores, and return our quarterback, both running backs, and three receivers. We gained a ton of meaningful experience last season and are excited about the group we have coming back.” That includes 17 total starters.

10. Kewaunee - The Storm took home the Packerland Conference title last season, but after a tough win over Bonduel in the regular season, they’d fall to the Bears in Level 2 of the playoffs. The return of First Team All-Conference linemen Gregorio Medina and Ben VanGoethem will help ease the loss of most of last year’s offensive production, including First Team All-Conference quarterback Brett Paulsen and running back Waylon Delain.

11. Markesan - The Hornets went through the regular season unbeaten and were awarded a two-seed in the Division 6 playoffs. However, they’d go out to Belleville in the first playoff contest. “We expect to be very competitive in every game we play,” head coach John Dunlavy said. “We will lean heavily on our play at the line of scrimmage on both sides. We will have a lot of talented football players who expect to win and know how to win. We have had a good off season in the weight room. I would not be surprised to see us playing late in the year for a chance at a conference championship. A weakness of ours will be a lack of depth, so we will need to stay healthy at certain positions.” Ryan Bock is back up front offensively, but many of the primary ballcarriers in the flexbone attack are gone. While there are just five returning starters on offense, the defense brings back nine starters, including top two tacklers Dawson Kelm and Keaton Jerome.

12. Potosi/Cassville - The co-op program put together another excellent season, going undefeated until a tough loss to Black Hawk/Warren in the last regular season game, then advancing to the D7 state semi-finals before falling to eventual champion Kenosha St. Joseph. The team moves up to Division 6 due to the WIAA Tournament Performance Factor. “We will have an exceptional amount of team speed and athleticism this season,” said head coach Mark Siegert, who reached the 200-win mark last season. There are 14 seniors returning, including the running back duo of Hunter White and River Sahr, who combined for more than 3300 yards on the ground, as well as quarterback Aaron Edge.

13. Fennimore - The Golden Eagles went 6-3 during the regular season, falling to Mineral Point in Week 9. Just a week later in the first playoff game, they’d down the Pointers 50-7 before going out a second time against Darlington. With 16 seniors returning, many of whom are entering their third varsity season, there’s a belief the team could be ready for even bigger things in 2026. Head coach Tyrell Rosemeyer really likes the look of the offensive line, which he feels has the potential to be among the best in school history. Running behind that group will be 1300-yard rusher Reece Kelley. A total of seven starters are returning on offense, with six back on defense.

14. Prairie du Chien - The Blackhawks started 0-2 against a tough non-conference schedule, but would rally to claim a share of the SWC title in 2025. Taking down Westfield in the first playoff game, they’d drop a tight one against Stratford the next week. “Our team this season will need to find replacements for three offensive linemen,” said head coach Kevin Campbell. “If we can find replacements for a small, but solid departing senior class, we might be able to keep our head above water.” Bringing back starting quarterback Cayden Sutter and 1000-yard rusher Darian Jackson lead five starters returning on offense. The defense also brings back five starters.

15. Auburndale - The Eagles dropped just one game during the regular season, against Marawood rival Edgar. Getting a home game in the postseason, there was a hope the team could make a run, but instead they’d fall to Crandon in Level 1. “We have a solid program with an undefeated JV team ready to step forward,” said head coach Jay Anderson. “We have a good balance of size and quickness with competition at most positions.” There isn’t a lot of varsity experience, however, as just eight letterwinners are back, and only three starters on both sides of the ball.Russ and Ray Teska are two of the more experienced players coming back.