Bound Wisconsin Week 1 Football Preview

All game times 7 pm unless otherwise noted.

Mukwonago (Preseason D1 #4) at Appleton North (Preseason D1 #14) - Appleton North made a statement to open the 2025 season with a 21-6 win over the Indians. North’s defense stifled the Mukwonago ground game, holding the Indians to 69 rushing yards on 24 carries. Both teams have designs on competing towards the top in very tough conferences.

Hamilton (Preseason D1 #6) at Kimberly (Preseason D1 #9) - Another FVA versus Milwaukee area contest, and like Appleton North-Mukwonago, it was the FVA team that got the upper hand last year. Hamilton won 42-21 in Week 1, and the teams met again in Level 2 of the playoffs, with Hamilton once again defeating the Papermakers, this time 35-10. Kimberly lost three games last year, the most in any season since 2005 when they went 4-5.

Osceola (Preseason D4 #10) vs. Columbus (Preseason D5 #2) at Arcadia HS - Both teams are ranked in our preseason top ten in their respective divisions, as they’ll meet (somewhat) in the middle for this game at Arcadia High School. Both teams bring back their top rushers from a year ago, Bobby Tracy for Columbus and Elliot Havlish for Osceola.

Bay Port (Preseason D1 #5) at Middleton (D1 #18) - This marks the sixth straight year that these teams have met up in Week 1, though Bay Port has gotten the better of the Cardinals so far, winning four of five. The games have been very competitive, however, including last season when Bay Port pulled out a 39-36 victory. Both teams have some holes to fill in the primary offensive positions, with Middleton needing to replace quarterback Joey Passaglia while Bay Port have to find a way to fill the production of dual-threat quarterback Matt Stevens as well as 2000-yard rusher Brady Moon.

West De Pere (Preseason D1 #11) at Sun Prairie East (Preseason D1 #20) - West De Pere claimed the Division 2 state championship last year, but there are a large number of changes for the Phantoms to begin 2026. They are elevated to D1 by the WIAA’s Tournament Performance Factor, and head coach Chris Greisen is replaced by Kegan Wirtz. Record-setting quarterback Patrick Greisen also moves on. Sun Prairie East finished just 5-5 last year, but have designs on getting back to a higher level of competition.

All game times 7 pm unless otherwise noted.

Grafton (Preseason D2 #2) at Mount Horeb/Barneveld (Preseason D3 #5) - Grafton defeated Mount Horeb/Barneveld 24-7 in Week 1 last year en route to an undefeated Division 3 state championship. Six starters are back on offense for Grafton, including 1900-yard rusher Jack Nelson, but just two starters return from last year’s suffocating defense. Mount Horeb/Barneveld brings back a total of 11 starters from a year ago but has to replace Division 1 college players Brooks Hendrickson (QB), Jack Wilson (RB/LB), and Hayden Anderson (TE).

Oak Creek at Verona (Preseason D1 #10) - Both teams want to compete for conference titles this year, Verona in the Big Eight and Oak Creek in the redesigned Southeast Conference. Verona has struggled outside the Big Eight Conference a bit in recent years, including non-conference losses to Sun Prairie East and Oconomowoc as well as a playoff defeat to Franklin last season.

Cuba City at Potosi/Cassville (Preseason D6 #12) - Cuba City will be one of the more experienced teams in southwest Wisconsin, with 18 starters returning this fall. Potosi/Cassville is a veteran crew as well under head coach Mark Siegert, who will be led by River Sahr and Hunter White, who combined for more than 3300 yards last season.

Badger (Preseason D1 #13) at Kenosha Bradford - Badger is a tough opponent to prepare for, running one of the best versions of the flexbone/option attack in the state. They open this year at Kenosha Bradford, who is one of the teams looking to slide up in the Southeast Conference after Franklin’s exit.

Marquette at Arrowhead (Preseason D1 #1) - Marquette slipped to 4-6 overall last year after going out in Level 1 of the playoffs, as the Hilltoppers are looking to rebound in 2026. Arrowhead dominated this matchup last year, beating Marquette 53-22 in Week 1 en route to a Division 1 state title.

Homestead (Preseason D2 #3) at Germantown (Preseason D2 #7) - This game conjures up memories of Dave Keel against Phil Datka in North Shore Conference, but Germantown’s move to the Greater Metro a few years ago has meant this is a non-league game. Germantown may have the best offensive line in the state, but Homestead is no pushover in any area. The Highlanders won 43-15 over Germantown last season.

Franklin (Preseason D1 #3) at Racine Case (Preseason D1 #12) - Racine Case had moved up in the Southeast Conference the last few years, but hadn’t quite been able to surpass Franklin. This is a non-conference game this season, as Franklin makes the move to the Classic Eight. The Sabers beat Case 35-7 last year.

Reedsburg at New Berlin West (Preseason D3 #8) - New Berlin West earned a one-seed in last year’s playoffs, but would get upset by Whitefish Bay in Level 1. The Vikings return 15 starters to this year’s squad that should compete towards the top of the Parkland Conference once again. Reedsburg is coming off a state runner-up finish in Division 3.

Wisconsin Lutheran (Preseason D3 #12) at Waterford (Preseason D3 #4) - Wisconsin Lutheran moves from the Woodland to the larger and tougher North Shore Conference this season, and this is a chance for the Vikings to get important points for playoff qualification and seeding purposes. Waterford went just 5-5 last year but has loads of talent returning on both sides of the ball.

Waunakee (Preseason D1 #8) at Muskego (Preseason D1 #2) - These powerhouse programs meet up in a great non-conference game to begin the year. Both advanced to the state semi-finals in Division 1 last year, coming up just short of a trip to Madison. Neither team has shied away from challenging themselves, and it’s great to see this heavyweight out-of-area matchup.

Beaver Dam at Watertown - Beaver Dam moves to the Badger-Small this year and Watertown to the Badger-Large, but they keep their longtime non-conference game going. This will mark the 105th time they’ve met, with Watertown holding a 57-44-3 lead all-time.

Cudahy at South Milwaukee - These teams have struggled of late, but they do renew their rivalry this year after the teams switched leagues. Cudahy leads 47-42-5 in the all-time series.

Fort Atkinson at Jefferson - These teams have played four years in a row despite no longer being in the same conference. Fort Atkinson holds a 49-27-6 advantage in the previous 82 meetings.

Notre Dame (Preseason D2 #1) at Neenah (Preseason D1 #7) - Notre Dame won a D3 state title in 2024 and finished as the D2 runner-up a year ago. With three high-level college prospects returning, including state record running back Kingston Allen and WFCA Lineman of the Year Richie Flanigan, the Tritons figure to be another formidable squad. They’ll open with a tough game at a Neenah team that went 7-1 to begin last year, including an opening win over Muskego, then dropped shocking games to Hortonville and De Pere to end the season. FVA Offensive Player of the Year Ashton Van Beek headlines the Rockets.

Lake Mills (Preseason D4 #2) at Freedom (Preseason D4 #5) - What a game in Division 4 to open the year, as the high-flying L-Cats of Lake Mills will make the trip up to perennial power Freedom. Lake Mills returns the bulk of a strong passing attack, including All-State quarterback Tyler Wollin.

Plymouth (Preseason D3 #6) vs. Menasha at Banta Bowl - It was a tough summer for Menasha, who saw a tornado rip through town and cause extensive damage to their home at Calder Stadium. As a result, all home games will be played at the Banta Bowl on the campus of Lawrence University in Appleton. It’s a tough first one, as they’ll take on Plymouth.

Kewaunee (Preseason D6 #10) at Fox Valley Lutheran (Preseason D3 #10) - Kewaunee is testing itself up in this one, taking on a Fox Valley Lutheran team that competes three divisions higher. Both programs have some pretty significant graduation losses, with Fox Valley Lutheran looking to go from one Heiges to another at quarterback, as Braden will replace older brother Gabe, who graduated.

Wrightstown (Preseason D4 #14) at Winneconne (Preseason D3 #9) - Winneconne opens its title defense with a visit from Wrightstown. After winning it all in Division 4 last year, the Wolves of Winneconne make the move to D3 this season.

Mosinee (Preseason D4 #13) at Stratford (Preseason D4 #12) - These teams have met in early non-conference contests for several years, with Stratford performing pretty well. It used to be that Stratford was playing up a couple divisions in this one, but now because of the WIAA’s Tournament Performance Factor that moves the Tigers up two divisions, these teams separated by nearly 300 students are in the same division. Mosinee welcomes in a new coach this year and new playmakers on offense.

Auburndale (Preseason D6 #15) at Spencer/Columbus Catholic (Preseason D5 #10) - Auburndale had a nice 2025 season but returns just eight letterwinners this year, though they have some solid players ready to move in from an undefeated JV squad. Spencer/Columbus Catholic will rely heavily on senior running back Jack Hoepper, who went for more than 1700 yards a year ago.

Wittenberg-Birnamwood at Bonduel (Preseason D6 #5) - Bonduel has high hopes once again, as the Bears have five playoff wins in the last two seasons and are looking for even more in 2026. Wittenberg-Birnamwood has won a playoff game each of the past three seasons and will be trying to keep that trend going.

Prairie du Chien (Preseason D6 #14) at Aquinas (Preseason D4 #4) - These teams have met in early non-conference matchups for several years, with Aquinas winning 22-0 over Prairie du Chien last season.

Grantsburg (Preseason D5 #6) at Amery (Preseason D5 #13) - A strong senior class has Grantsburg among the top teams in Division 5 once again. The Pirates travel to an Amery team led by Wisconsin commit Keaton Wollan.

McDonell Central (Preseason D7 #12) at Regis (Preseason D6 #2) - McDonell Central was a state championship in 8-player football last year, but make the jump back into 11-player in 2026. It’s an old WISAA battle here in Week 1, as the Mack will face off against Regis.

West Salem (Preseason D4 #6) at Onalaska - These teams have become frequent opponents in non-conference, and even met in the playoffs a few years ago. Onalaska got the edge 35-26 last year.

Darlington (Preseason D5 #1) at Saint Mary’s Springs (Preseason D6 #7) 1 pm - Darlington won the Division 6 state title last year, and the Redbirds move up to Division 5 this fall. These two teams have met in the postseason a number of times over the years.