Bound Wisconsin Week 5 Football Preview

Note: Due to expected weather conditions this weekend, the following games are being moved up from Friday to Thursday:

All game times 7 pm unless otherwise noted.

De Pere (3-1, 1-1; D1 #9) at Bay Port (4-0, 2-0; D1 #3) - De Pere has been just behind Bay Port and West De Pere the last couple years, and while the Redbirds fell to West De Pere a couple weeks ago, they get another chance to challenge the heavyweights in the FRCC-North. Bay Port has been on a mission this year and is looking every bit as good as last year’s team that advanced to Madison.

La Crosse Logan (4-0, 2-0; at La Crosse Central (3-1, 1-1; UR) - This year’s edition of the battle for the Ark of Victory is a special one, as it marks the 100th meeting between these crosstown rivals. Central leads the all-time series 51-41-7 coming in. Once again, both are looking like strong playoff contenders and despite Central’s loss to Reedsburg, the Riverhawks remain very much in the Mississippi Valley Conference race. This game was moved from Friday to Thursday because of anticipated weather.

Luther (4-0, 2-0; D6 #7) at Arcadia (3-1, 1-1; UR) - Arcadia suffered its first loss of the season last week against West Salem, but has to rebound quickly with unbeaten Luther coming to town in a game moved up to Thursday because of weather concerns. Both teams are very strong defensively, as Luther has allowed just 24 points all year, while Arcadia is allow an average of just 12 per game.

Sparta (2-2, 0-2; UR) at Tomah (0-4, 0-2; UR) - Tomah appears to be in a down cycle, sitting at 0-4, but this longtime rivalry game is among the state’s most played. First played in 1894, these teams will meet for the 120th time, as Tomah leads 68-45-6.

All game times 7 pm unless otherwise noted.

Holmen (4-0, 2-0; D2 #7) at Reedsburg (4-0, 2-0; D3 #3), 5 pm - A couple undefeated Mississippi Valley Conference squads square off in a game moved up a couple hours to try to beat the weather. Last year, Holmen trailed at halftime when weather forced the second half to be finished the following day, with the Vikings rallying to win 22-21. Don’t expect much passing in this one, as Reedsburg hasn’t completed a pass yet, while Holmen averages just four attempts per game. Holmen runs flexbone triple option, while Reedsburg rides with the Wing-T.

Poynette (4-0, 2-0; UR) at Pardeeville (4-0, 2-0; UR) - Both teams enter undefeated, with very similar resumes. Each has won some very close games thus far, and have league victories against Marshall and Waterloo. Pardeeville does throw the ball a lot with quarterback Julian Wells, and with the forecasted weather, could that complicate things for the Bulldogs?

Portage (3-1, 1-1; UR) at Edgerton (3-1, 2-0; UR) - Portage is coming off its first loss of the year against Evansville and looking to get back on track. Another one where weather could be a bigger factor for one team, as Portage runs it a lot in the Wing-T, while Edgerton throws the ball quite a bit. Both are new to the Capitol Conference and trying make their mark.

Potosi/Cassville (3-1, 2-0; UR) at Iowa-Grant (3-1, 2-0; D7 #10) - Who would have thought that Iowa-Grant would be the ranked one heading into this matchup. However, after an impressive win over Black Hawk/Warren last week, the Panthers are tenth in the D7 Coaches Poll, while Potosi/Cassville is just outside the rankings.

Edgewood (3-1, 2-0; D4 #9) at Sauk Prairie (3-1, 2-0; UR) - Two of the three teams to share the Badger-Small Conference title last year meet up in this one. In the regular season finale last year, Sauk Prairie took down Edgewood 20-7 to force the three-way tie.

New Glarus (3-1, 1-1; D5 #9) at Mineral Point (3-1, 1-1; UR) - Both teams are 3-1 overall and 1-1 in league play, each having lost to Darlington in the last two weeks. It seems unlikely anyone will defeat the Redbirds and allow one of these to get back into contention, but playoff points are very much at stake in this one.

Oconomowoc (3-1, 1-1; D1 #7) at Muskego (4-0, 2-0; D1 #2) - Yet another top ten showdown in Division 1 finds Oconomowoc traveling to Inpro Field to take on the unbeaten Muskego Warriors. Oconomowoc rebounded from its first loss against Hamilton a couple weeks ago with a nice win against Brookfield Central.

Franklin (2-2, 2-0; UR) at Mukwonago (1-3, 0-2; UR) - Not many would have thought these teams would have combined for five losses at this point in the season, but it has been some tough sledding. Mukwonago needs it bad, sitting at 1-3 with some extremely tough losses against good teams.

Elkhorn (3-1, 1-1; UR) at Badger (1-3, 1-1; UR) - Badger dropped its first three games of the year before a “get right” game against Beloit Memorial last week. Just how right did they get, because Elkhorn is very good. They shutout Westosha Central last week, who had beaten Badger just a couple weeks earlier.

Lake Country Lutheran (4-0, 2-0; D5 #2) at Racine St. Catherine’s (3-1, 2-0; UR) - Racine St. Catherine’s defeated Lake Country Lutheran 28-6 last year, which resulted in the teams sharing the Metro Classic Conference title. They appear to be the top two teams again this year, though Watertown Luther Prep is also 2-0 in league play.

Waukesha South (4-0, 2-0; UR) at New Berlin West (3-1, 2-0; D3 #10) - Waukesha South is off to a 4-0 start, but things definitely get tougher in the later part of their schedule, beginning this week against New Berlin West. Waukesha South has shown the ability to put up points this year, but how will their defense hold up against New Berlin West’s rushing attack? And are the Blackshirts receivers healthy enough to hit the big plays for quarterback Jordan Garcia?

Marquette (2-2, 1-1; UR) at Catholic Memorial (2-2, 0-2; D3 #2) - Catholic Memorial has dropped two straight to D1 powerhouses Arrowhead and Muskego. Marquette isn’t at their past levels perhaps, but still a tough task for the Crusaders, who are still searching for some signature wins.

Slinger (3-1, 2-0; UR) at Whitefish Bay (3-1, 2-0; D3 #8) - Both teams are 2-0 to open North Shore Conference play, as Whitefish Bay has rebounded from a non-league loss to Union Grove by scoring impressive victories over Wisconsin Lutheran and Menomonee Falls.

Kaukauna (3-1, 2-0; D2 #6) at Appleton North (3-1, 2-0; D1 #10) - Kaukauna lost a close one to Notre Dame in Week 2, but hasn’t let that hold them back, as the Ghosts have started 2-0 in league play with wins over last year’s co-champions Kimberly and Neenah. Kaukauna can really separate from the pack if they can score a win over Appleton North, the only other team unbeaten in league play after two weeks.

Luxemburg-Casco (2-2, 1-1; UR) at Wrightstown (1-3, 0-2; UR) - Wrightstown has been a consistent contender in the North Eastern Conference, but a 1-3 start with losses by a combined 17 points has the Tigers in need of a win pretty badly. They’ll welcome in Luxemburg-Casco, who hasn’t set the world on fire in the early going either, and last week got beaten pretty soundly by Little Chute, 49-14.

Kiel (3-1, 2-0; UR) at New Holstein (3-1, 2-0; UR) - Both teams are 3-1 and hoping to stay in the Eastern Wisconsin Conference race early on. This is also a big-time rivalry game, which will be contested for the 80th time. Amazingly, it is tied 39-39-1, as the winner gets significant bragging rights.

Antigo (0-4, 0-2; UR) at Rhinelander (3-1, 1-1; UR) - Rhinelander has looked good to start the 2026 season, while Antigo is 0-4 but has been competitive in every game. This is the 105th playing of this rivalry, which has been contested every year since 1921. Antigo leads 66-35-3.

Pepin/Alma (4-0, 2-0; D7 #2) at Cochrane-Fountain City (4-0, 2-0; D7 #1) - A special matchup in Division 7, as the top-ranked Pirates of Cochrane-Fountain City welcome in second-ranked Pepin/Alma. Neither team has really been challenged to this point, as they’re both among the most prolific offenses and stingiest defenses in the state. Cochrane-Fountain City won 15-14 over the Eagles last year.

Hudson (4-0, 2-0; D1 #8) at New Richmond (4-0, 2-0; D2 #5) - The Big Rivers Conference race is always a little bit wild and whacky, so it’s not like whoever loses this one is out of it, but the winner certainly takes a leg up. New Richmond snuck past Chippewa Falls last week, but Hudson has won each game by at least 33 points.

Regis (4-0, 2-0; D6 #1) at Durand-Arkansaw (4-0, 2-0; D5 #8) - Regis has had some very tight games this year, including a one-point win against Elk Mound last week and a two-point decision over Altoona back in Week 2. It remains to be seen if that’s a sign of some issues with the Ramblers, or just things that happen sometime against solid competition. If they have any slipups, Durand-Arkansaw is more than capable of scoring the win.

Amery (3-1, 2-0; UR) at Baldwin-Woodville (3-1, 2-0; D3 #9) - Both teams have losses in non-conference play, Amery to Grantsburg and Baldwin-Woodville against Pewaukee, but are perfect thus far in Middle Border play.

Menomonie (0-4, 0-2; UR) at Rice Lake (0-4, 0-2; UR) - Things have turned quickly for these normally very consistent programs. Rice Lake has made it to at least the state semifinals seven times in the last 12 years, while Menomonie is working on a state best 36 consecutive playoff appearances. However, neither has been able to find its way to victory this season.