Cloverbelt 2026 Football Preview

Over the next several weeks, we’ll be previewing every conference in the state as part of our preseason preparations.

Check out all of our Football Conference Previews for every league in the state, here.

2025 Recap: Regis was the outright champion of the Cloverbelt last season, going a perfect 9-0 during the regular season. Mondovi was second, and the teams would meet again in a sectional final, as Mondovi got the win the next time around before falling to Edgar in a state semifinal. Fall Creek was third, followed by Durand-Arkansaw.

Note: The Cloverbelt is a seven-team league that is paired with the Marawood for one crossover. Osseo-Fairchild moves from the Cloverbelt to the Dunn-St. Croix.

2025 Season Information:
Standings
Stats
All-Conference

2026 PREVIEW:

Predicted Order of Finish:

1) Mondovi
2) Regis
3) Elk Mound
4) Fall Creek
5) Durand-Arkansaw
6) Stanley-Boyd
7) Neillsville/Granton

Players to Watch:

Bryson Elkins, QB, Fall Creek: As a sophomore last season, Elkins threw for more than 1000 yards and 16 touchdowns

Bode Falkner, QB, Mondovi: As just a sophomore last season, Falkner was one of the most prolific offensive players in the state, passing for 2,035 yards and 20 touchdowns with 1,270 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground.

Cam Gruber, RB, Mondovi: Gruber ran for 926 yards and 11 touchdowns as a Second Team All-Conference choice a year ago.

Ian Havens, RB, Durand-Arkansaw: As a sophomore last season, Havens was an Honorable Mention All-Conference choice, rushing for a team-high 845 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Beau Spindler, WR, Mondovi: Spindler was a First Team All-Conference choice after catching 49 passes for 899 yards and eight touchdowns.

2026 Team Previews

1) Mondovi 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 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. “Some of our newcomers are going to have to step up in a hurry and we have some tough early season non-conference games followed by a grueling conference schedule,” Brenner added.

3) Elk Mound 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.

4) Fall Creek not only made the playoffs last season, the Crickets won a postseason game for the first time in a dozen years. Taking down Chetek-Weyerhaeuser in Level 1, they came oh-so-close to a win over longtime Cloverbelt rival Regis before falling 23-22 in Level 2. Head coach Marcus Wahleithner brings back 15 letterwinners this fall, including four starters on offense and five on defense. Bryson Elkins is back to quarterback the offense, which will help off-set the loss of 1800-yard rusher Cullen Kramer. Ethan Westrate is a versatile player the Crickets are looking to breakout after missing half of 2025.

5) Durand-Arkansaw was sitting at 6-1 and with a shot at a league championship, but two losses to close the regular season left the Panthers a distant fourth in the final Cloverbelt standings. However, they’d rebound with a 40-21 win over River Valley in the opening playoff game. Durand-Arkansaw would fall to Grantsburg the following week, finishing 7-4 overall. Standout quarterback Brett Breidung graduates, along with leading receiver Jaxson Weiss, but the Panthers do welcome back leading rusher Ian Havens.

6) Stanley-Boyd missed out on the playoffs for the first time since 2019, going 207 overall last year. “We enter the season with a group that is eager to compete and continue building the program in the right direction,” said second-year coach Brody Mahr. “Our strengths will be our returning varsity experience, our team speed, and a group of upperclassmen who are beginning to step into larger leadership roles.” The Orioles return six starters on offense, including versatile offensive weapons Jesse Allard, Braxton DeMars, and Oliver Hatfield. Speaking of Hatfield, he was the top tackler for the teams as well.

7) Neillsville/Granton got off to a good start last year, beating New Lisbon 47-12 in Week 1. Unfortunately, not much went right after that, as they’d drop the final eight games of the year, most in blowout fashion. “Coming off a season filled with injuries, including a few to players before the season started, we are hopeful that we will be able to have a season without that this year,” said head coach Reed Lehman. “With all of the injuries last year, we did have to play more underclassmen than we would've liked, but it did lead to more players gaining some varsity experience throughout the season which could be beneficial for us this year and into the future.” The brings back five starters on offense and three on defense.