Glacier Trails 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: The Glacier Trails is technically a new conference this year, made up of teams that previously competed in the East Central (Plymouth, Kewaskum, Kettle Moraine Lutheran, Port Washington), the North Shore (West Bend East, West Bend West, Nicolet) and Woodland (Grafton).

2025 East Central Season Information:
Standings
Stats
All-Conference

2025 North Shore Season Information:
Standings
Stats
All-Conference

2025 Woodland Season Information:
Standings
Stats
All-Conference

2026 PREVIEW:

Predicted Order of Finish:

1) Grafton
2) Plymouth
3) West Bend West
4) Nicolet
5) Port Washington
6) Kettle Moraine Lutheran
7) Kewaskum
8) West Bend East

Players to Watch:

Nicholas Bongard, QB, Nicolet: Bongard took home First Team All-Conference honors in the North Shore last year, throwing for 1,835 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Jack Bunyan, QB, Port Washington: Bunyan had an excellent sophomore campaign, completing 60% of his passes for 1,750 yards and 20 touchdowns to earn First Team All-Conference recognition.

Hank Doyle, TE, Grafton: Doyle played a limited varsity role as a freshman tight end last year, but the 6’5”, 235-pounder is attracting loads of attention now, including multiple Division 1 scholarship offers.

Augie Eigenberger, QB, Plymouth: Eigenberger threw for 975 yards and six touchdowns last year, completing 72% of his passes despite missing time late in the year with injury.

Cole Kuhn, TE/DE, Plymouth: Kuhn was the Defensive Player of the Year in the East Central last year and doubles as a standout on offense as well.

Colton Markohn, DL, West Bend West: Markohn was a disruptive force on the edge for the Spartans last year, recording 13 tackles for loss and five sacks, earning First Team All-Conference honors.

Conner McKenna, RB, Nicolet: McKenna took home Second Team All-Conference recognition last year after rushing for more than 1000 yards.

Jack Nelson, RB, Plymouth: Nelson is a returning First Team All-Conference selection and one of the top running backs in the state, going for 1,931 yards and 26 touchdowns on the ground last year. He added 18 catches for 185 yards and a score.

Eli Ogi, QB, Kewaskum: Ogi threw for more than 1700 yards with 13 touchdowns last year, receiving Second Team All-Conference recognition.

Truman Wetzel, OL, Nicolet: Wetzel is one of the top offensive linemen in the conference and has given a commitment to Western Michigan.

2026 Team Previews

1) Grafton played a tough schedule, especially in the non-conference and playoffs, with regular season wins over Mount Horeb/Barneveld and Port Washington before postseason victories over standout teams like Plymouth and Catholic Memorial to advance back to Madison for the second time in the last three years. The Black Hawks won a thriller over Reedsburg, kicking a 35-yard field goal with just seconds remaining on the clock. Head coach Jim Norris’ crew is elevated to Division 2 this season by the WIAA’s Tournament Performance Factor. “We graduated multiple players who accumulated more than 40 career starts and played significant roles in four consecutive conference championships and a state title run,” Norris said. “While there are talented players ready to step into those opportunities, developing game experience and replacing the leadership of that senior group will be an important part of the team's growth throughout the season.” Six starters return on offense, including 2000-yard rusher Jack Nelson. Hank Doyle is a fast-rising Class of 2029 tight end prospect who has already received an offer from Wisconsin. Hunter Klippel is expected to step in at quarterback. While six starters return on offense, just two are back on the defense for the Black Hawks.

2) Plymouth rolled through the regular season undefeated, capturing the East Central Conference title. They scored a couple nice playoff wins but fell to eventual state champion Grafton in the sectional final. They make the change to the Glacier Trails this year, though it is many of the same teams they faced previously. Second year coach Mark Vollbrecht returns six starters on offense, including three-year starting quarterback Augie Eigenberger as well as four of the five offensive linemen. Over on defense, Cole Kuhn is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

3) West Bend West qualified for the regular playoffs for the first time since 2010. They’d finish third in a very good conference, the North Shore, and while they’d go out to Slinger a second time in the playoffs, it was a great step forward for the program. Now the challenge for head coach Taylor Ripplinger is building on that momentum. Bringing back starting quarterback Collin Grass is a good way to start the process, as top receiver Xander Collier and experienced pass-catcher Ryan Rose are also returning. They do need to replace 1400-yard rusher Noah Reinhart, however. A talented group returns up front, including First Team All-Conference offensive lineman James Banks, Second Team choice Caden Ustruck, and Honorable Mention pick Christian Zywicki. Banks was a First Team pick on defense as well, where he was joined up front by D1 prospect Colton Markohn.

4) Nicolet continues to take positive steps forward, making the playoffs in 2025 for the sixth time ever, and the Knights’ 23-13 win over Holmen in Level 1 was just the second postseason victory in program history. Head coach James Becker has a solid group of offensive players coming back, including First Team All-Conference quarterback Nick Bongard, 1000-yard rusher Conner McKenna, and West Michigan offensive line commit Truman Wetzel. “This will be the second year of a new offensive system which should help advance the offense,” Becker said. “The transition from the North Shore to the VERY competitive Glacial Trails will be made challenging with a small junior class and several underclassmen being asked to fill significant roles on both sides of the ball,” Becker added.

5) Port Washington continued its strong recent play, not only qualifying for the playoffs for a fifth straight season but winning a postseason game for the fifth consecutive year. They were second in the East Central, and fell to old rival Whitefish Bay in a close Level 2 game. They’ll move to the newly formed Glacier Trails Conference this year, though with quite a few familiar opponents. Jack Bunyan, the son of head coach John Bunyan, returns for his junior year after a solid sophomore season. Leading receiver Kade Kintop is also among the returning standouts on offense. Kiya Sullivan and Thilar Goodman are back as standouts on the defensive side of the ball.

6) Kettle Moraine Lutheran went just 2-5 in the East Central Conference last year, but a pair of non-conference victories helped the Chargers qualify for the Division 4 playoffs. They’d go out to Freedom 28-0. “We will be young on both sides of the ball,” said Kren. “However, don't let our youth fool you, our players believe in what we are doing and are hungry to continue that tradition we have built.” Quarterback Jonah Kruse is back to direct the split back veer offense.

7) Kewaskum had plenty of struggles last year, winning just one game, the season finale against Watertown. It was a young group, returning 28 letterwinners this fall. Eight starters are back on offense for the Indians, led by quarterback Eli Ogi, who put up good numbers last year. Head coach Jeff Rondorf brings back nine starters on the defensive side of the ball. Head coach David Kren brings back six starters on offense and five on defense, with a nice mix of speed on the outside and size up front.

8) West Bend East did not win a game last season, scoring just 41 points in the 2025 campaign. The Suns get a new head coach this year, as Asa Spindler replaces Dan Lutz. They also get a new conference, moving out of the North Shore for the new Glacier Trails. Several players return after getting time at quarterback last year, including senior Lucas Zschetzsche, while Joey Dorow was one of the top freshmen rushers in the state last year, going for 596 yards and four touchdowns.