Coulee 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: Aquinas was the champion of the Coulee Conference yet again, as a hard-fought 20-13 decision over West Salem late in the year decided the league race. The Blugolds to the sectional finals before going out to Baldwin-Woodville. West Salem was second, followed by Arcadia, as those were the only three teams from the league to qualify for the postseason.

2025 Season Information:
Standings
Stats
All-Conference

2026 PREVIEW:

Predicted Order of Finish:

1) Aquinas
2) West Salem
3) Luther
4) Arcadia
5) Westby
6) G-E-T
7) Black River Falls
8) Viroqua

Players to Watch:

Braylon Backaus, QB, Black River Falls: Backaus put up big numbers through the air last year, throwing for 1,475 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Lucas Fry, RB, West Salem: Fry was a First Team All-Conference pick as a running back after leading the Panthers with 542 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground.

Luke Grube, OL, West Salem: Grube earned First Team All-Conference recognition last year and has given a commitment to the University of North Dakota.

Brady Lee, DB, Aquinas: Lee is a standout in the defensive secondary for the Blugolds, earning First Team All-Conference recognition. He was also the second-leading receiver. Lee has given a commitment to North Dakota.

Drew McConkey, QB, West Salem: McConkey is a returning Second Team All-Conference choice after throwing for 1,281 yards and 16 touchdowns a year ago, adding 444 yards and nine scores on the ground.

Chase Schams, OL, Aquinas: Schams is a standout up front for the Blugolds as a First Team All-Conference choice and has given a commitment to Michigan Tech.

2026 Team Previews

1) Aquinas remains elevated in Division 4, last year going unbeaten until a sectional final loss to Baldwin-Woodville. The team brings back seven starters on offense, but must replace quarterback Ryan Johnson plus talented pass catchers Logan Becker and Waylon Hargrove. There remains a good amount of speed and athletic ability at the perimeter positions, including North Dakota commit Brady Lee, who is an All-State caliber defensive back and will get some more opportunities on offense as well. The Blugolds have five starters returning on defense.

2) West Salem had a nice 2025 season, but couldn’t get past the better teams on the schedule. They’d fall to old rival Onalaska to open the year, then drop a tight one to Aquinas as they’d finish second in the Coulee Conference. A Level 2 loss to Little Chute sent them home in the playoffs. Former head coach Justin Jehn is back at the helm, replacing Ryan Olson. There are seven starters returning on offense, including dual-threat quarterback Drew McConkey, leading rusher Lucas Fry, and top receivers Jameson Skifton and Josiah Wolbrink. It’s a strong group up front, led by college prospects Luke Grube and Will Clements.

3) Luther finished fourth in the Coulee Conference after going 4-3 in league play, but while that would have guaranteed a playoff spot in the old system, in the WIAA’s new playoff model, the Knights’ 4-5 overall record and strength of schedule were not enough to get them in to the postseason. There are seven starters back on offense and eight on defense, as there will be a large roster led by a sizable senior class. “Our team success will hinge on development of the offensive line,” said head coach Jeff Komay. Among the returnees is quarterback Jonathan Holub and leading rusher Logan Pierce, as well as two-way lineman Sam Schmeling.

4) Arcadia took a nice step forward last year, going 7-2 in the regular season with the only losses coming against Aquinas and West Salem. Despite that, they had to go on the road in the playoffs and dropped a 42-26 decision to Winnebago Lutheran. “We have a senior heavy class who have gained valuable experience over the past few seasons that will play a significant role on both sides of the ball,” said veteran head coach Derek Updike, who welcomes back eight starters on offense and nine on defense. The team has to replace 1800-yard rusher Max Blaschko, but does return quarterback Carter Wegman and top receiver Jonah Slaby. Updike is a little worried about the depth in the program, however. “We have a good core of kids returning, but our juniors and sophomores have low numbers which could make long competitive games difficult.”

5) Westby came up short of the playoffs last year, finishing 3-6 overall and 3-4 in the Coulee Conference, which included a forfeit against Aquinas. It was the first time they missed the postseason since 2019 and only time in the last 16 seasons. The Coulee figures to be very competitive this year, with a number of teams hoping to push for a playoff spot, Westby among them. Maddox Torkelson is back at quarterback, along with top receivers Griffin Nelson and Kameron Hulst.

6) G-E-T scored just one win last year, a 43-14 defeat of Viroqua. A program that was a constant in the playoffs in the first quarter of the 21st century hasn’t made the postseason the last two years, though there’s optimism that things could be improving this fall. The primary skill players are back on offense, including senior quarterback Sawyer Foust, who doubled as the team’s leading rusher, as well as receivers Isaiah Carroll and Andrew Lebakken. The top three tacklers from last season return as well for the Red Hawks.

7) Black River Falls went 2-7 overall last year, but did score conference wins over Viroqua and G-E-T. There is some good experience returning at the skill positions, including quarterback Braylon Backaus, who threw for 1,475 yards and 17 touchdowns, along with top receiver Mason Meimann, who caught 16 passes for 680 yards and 10 scores. They’re part of a group that features seven returning starters on offense, while five starters return on the defensive side of the ball.

8) Viroqua did not win a game last year, and a season-high 14 points in a 43-14 loss to G-E-T was the only time the Blackhawks scored in double figures. For good or bad, it will be a much different roster in 2026, with just one starter returning on offense and three on defense. “We enter the 2026 season with a much younger roster but plenty of optimism,” said second-year coach Jonah Curley. “The team’s biggest strengths include a stronger commitment level, an offensive scheme designed to fit the team’s skill set, and significant gains made during the offseason in the weight room.” While the varsity struggled, there was some success on the JV team, and many of those players will be expected to play big roles on varsity this season.