La Crosse Central’s Christian Rudrud is a dynamic, versatile player putting up big numbers all over the field for the Riverhawks
DIVISION 2 | BRACKET
(Times, dates, & locations subject to change)
The Placements
River Falls was the co-champion of the Big Rivers this year and has the top seed in Group A, where fellow Big Rivers squad New Richmond is the two-seed. Notre Dame captured the Division 3 title last year but is bumped up to Division 2 this season, where they enter the playoffs undefeated and earn the top seed in Group B. Rice Lake is the two-seed, while defending D2 state champion Slinger is the four-seed in that group. Undefeated West De Pere is the top overall seed in Division 2 and the top seed in Group C. Homestead is a perfect 8-0 and earns the number one seed in Group D.
Six to Watch
Here are six of the most electric offensive players that will be lining it up beginning this weekend:
Kingston Allen, Notre Dame - Allen got limited opportunities behind WFCA Large School Offensive Player of the Year Christian Collins last season as a sophomore, but always had huge potential. He’s realizing that as a junior, rushing for 1,695 yards and 30 touchdowns on 184 carries, despite missing one game earlier this year.
Patrick Greisen, West De Pere - Last year, Greisen completed 249-of-352 passes (70.7%) for 3,846 yards and 49 touchdowns, as his yardage and touchdown numbers are both third in state history for a single season. He was the FRCC-North Offensive Player of the Year and a WFCA All-State selection. He’s been just as good or better in 2025, and is arguably the top contender for the Large School Offensive Player of the Year. He’s completed 172-of-245 passes (70.2%) for 2,550 yards with 32 touchdowns and just five interceptions
Kobe Hendricks, Slinger - Hendricks has been the catalyst for the Owls offensively, taking on a much bigger role after last season’s Division 2 state championship. He has 1,564 rushing yards so far this year, averaging 8.7 yards per carry with 20 touchdowns, including a long of 93 yards. He’s also caught nine passes for 96 yards and three touchdowns.
Bryce Ott, Oshkosh North - Ott has been a big part of Oshkosh North’s turnaround, helping the Spartans to an 8-1 regular season record. He’s completed 90-of-148 passes (60.8%) for 1,644 yards and 22 touchdowns this year, averaging more than 18 yards per completion. he’s added 220 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Christian Rudrud, La Crosse Central - Rudrud will line up at quarterback and running back in the team’s power spread attack, though he’ll throw or run the ball out of either position. He’s been nearly unstoppable this year, with 201 carries for 1,459 yards and 21 scores on the ground, adding 49-of-76 passing (64.5%) for 818 yards and seven touchdowns through the air.
Austyn Wittek, New Richmond - Wittek averages more than 10 yards per carry for the Tigers, with 140 carries for 1,416 yards and 22 touchdowns on the season.
Upset Alert
Milwaukee City Conference teams have struggled in the playoffs for some time, even when playing as higher seeds. Sixth-seeded Wauwatosa East would certainly be a favorite over third-seeded Milwaukee King. Don’t sleep on Kaukauna as a seven-seed, as the Ghosts haven’t had the season they’d hoped at just 4-5, but have losses to a strong group of teams and compete in the FVA, with a lengthy trip to second-seeded Rice Lake in the first playoff game. Waukesha West, a six-seed, has defeated Southern Lakes teams a number of times in the playoffs, and get matched up with SLC runner-up Union Grove in Level 1.
Best Level 1 Game
Menasha is the five-seed in Group A and 6-3 overall, the same record as fourth-seeded La Crosse Central. The Riverhawks from La Crosse had a chance to wrap up an outright Mississippi Valley Conference title in Week 9, but fell to Onalaska. Featuring versatile and dynamic senior Christian Rudrud, they’ll look to get the job done against Menasha in Level 1.
Potential intriguing match-ups the rest of the way
Please note the emphasis on potential.
Notre Dame vs. Slinger, Level 2 - This would pit last years Division 3 state champion Notre Dame against defending Division 2 state champion Slinger. It is rare we see a pair of defending state champions meet up at all, let alone in the postseason.
River Falls vs. New Richmond, Sectional Final - New Richmond handed River Falls its only loss of the season back in Week Five, intercepting the Wildcats three times and rolling up 232 yards on the ground.
Homestead vs. Monona Grove, Sectional Final - Monona Grove’s only loss this year was a last second 14-13 decision against Waunakee, and the second-seeded Silver Eagles have posted three straight shutouts to close the regular season. They’d pose a strong challenge to unbeaten and top-ranked Homestead.
My Picks
River Falls over Beaver Dam
La Crosse Central over Menasha
Oshkosh North over Marshfield
New Richmond over Ashwaubenon
Notre Dame over Greenfield
Slinger over West Bend West
Wauwatosa East over Milwaukee King
Rice Lake over Kaukauna
West De Pere over Hartford
Milton over Pulaski
Union Grove over Waukesha West
Holmen over Nicolet
Homestead over Menomonee Falls
Elkhorn over Milwaukee Bay View
Germantown over Wauwatosa West
Monona Grove over Brookfield Central
Travis Wilson serves as the Bound Wisconsin Manager. Wilson was selected as part of the Sports 40 Under 40 list by Coach & AD Magazine and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association for 2019. The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) named Travis the 2015 recipient of the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award. He currently serves on the WFCA Executive Board and is a member of the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. A graduate of Richland Center High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Travis was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball, basketball), inducted to the Richland Center High School Hall of Fame in 2023, and currently resides in Reedsburg. You can follow him on Twitter at @travisBound or reach him at [email protected].