Greater Metro 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: It was an interesting year in the Greater Metro Conference, with Germantown, Brookfield East, and Hamilton sharing the league crown after taking turns defeating each other. Marquette was fourth, with Brookfield Central and Menomonee Falls giving the league six of seven playoff teams. Hamilton’s run to the sectional finals was the deepest run by a Greater Metro team.

Note: The Greater Metro is a six-team league paired with the Classic Eight for two crossover games. West Allis Hale moves out of the Greater Metro and into the Woodland. Menomonee Falls moves out of the Greater Metro and into the North Shore. Catholic Memorial enters the Greater Metro from the Parkland.

2025 Greater Metro Season Information:
Standings
Stats
All-Conference

2025 Parkland Season Information:
Standings
Stats
All-Conference

2026 PREVIEW:

Predicted Order of Finish:

1) Hamilton
2) Catholic Memorial
3) Germantown
4) Brookfield East
5) Marquette
6) Brookfield Central

Players to Watch:

Cole Erdmann, QB, Hamilton: Erdmann threw for 1,533 yards and rushed for 595 last year, accounting for 26 offensive touchdowns.

Hunter Mallinger, OL, Hamilton: Mallinger was a First Team All-Conference choice and WFCA All-State selection, joining twin brother Reece in committing to Wisconsin earlier this year.

Reece Mallinger, OL, Hamilton: Reece was a First Team All-Conference selection and has committed to Wisconsin along with twin brother Hunter.

Isaac Miller, DL, Catholic Memorial: Miller received numerous Division 1 offers before giving a commitment to Wisconsin.

Cole Reiter, OL, Germantown: Reiter was First Team All-Conference and WFCA All-State last year, giving a commitment to Wisconsin in the off-season.

Dustin Roach, WR/DB, Catholic Memorial: Roach is a dynamic athlete who has given a commitment to Wisconsin, coming off a junior season that saw him earn First Team All-Conference on both sides of the ball, catching 25 passes for 703 yards and eight touchdowns as well as five interceptions on defense.

Ben Schroeder, QB, Marquette: Schroeder threw for 2,038 yards and 23 touchdowns as an Honorable Mention All-Conference pick a year ago.

Braydon Schroeder, RB, Hamilton: Schroeder led the Chargers in rushing last season, going for 996 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning First Team All-Conference.

Dalton Steinke, QB, Catholic Memorial: Steinke put up big numbers as a sophomore starter last season, throwing for 1,886 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Devon Williams, Jr., RB, Catholic Memorial: Williams, Jr. committed to South Dakota State in the off-season after rushing for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.

2026 Team Previews

1) Hamilton had some impressive wins last year, including non-conference victories over Kimberly and Racine Case, and would share the Greater Metro Conference title. The Chargers couldn’t get past Arrowhead, however, dropping a 21-20 decision to the Warhawks in a regular season crossover, then a 34-24 defeat in a sectional final. Head coach Justin Gumm brings back 15 starters this season, eight on offense and seven on defense. They’re the favorites in a redesigned Greater Metro, especially since they avoid the heavyweights in the Classic Eight crossovers. “A lot of guys that have played a lot of football for us,” said Gumm. “Our senior class has lost three games in their career. They went undefeated as sophomores and freshmen.” In addition to Wisconsin twin commits Hunter and Reece Mallinger up front, there’s plenty of talent at the skill positions on offense. Quarterback Cole Erdmann returns, as does leading rusher Brayden Schroeder plus the top three receivers from a year ago.

2) Catholic Memorial dropped a competitive game to Franklin to open the season but rattled off 11 straight wins to claim a Parkland Conference title and advance to the state semifinals for a fifth consecutive season. Unfortunately they’d fall in a close one to eventual state champion Grafton to end the season short of the ultimate prize. There is a load of talent returning as the Crusaders try to get to the top of the hill. On offense, quarterback Dalton Steinke had an excellent sophomore season and brings back the entirety of the pass-catchers from a year ago, highlighted by explosive Badgers commit Dustin Roach, who doubles as an All-State caliber safety. 1000-yard rusher Devon Williams, Jr. is back, along with second-leading rusher Camden Shumpert. The defense may have even more talent, including Badger commit Isaac Miller at defensive end, talented linebackers Naverion Flowers and Will Schmitzer, and defensive backs Dustin Roach and Zy’aire Smith amongst others. A big move this year finds Catholic Memorial moving from the Parkland to the Greater Metro Conferenced, which will certainly introduce a higher level of competition week-to-week, as they’ll also play Arrowhead and Muskego in crossover games. They have the talent to compete with those teams, but could take a few lumps during the year. They will be a favorite come playoff time no matter what, however.

3) Germantown was just off the pace in the Greater Metro Conference, dropping midseason games to Hamilton and Brookfield Central by a combined five points. Defeating Wauwatosa West in Level 1, they’d go out against Monona Grove the next week. Replacing Vinny Inga, who threw for more than 1900 yards and also led the team in rushing, will be a challenge, but the Warhawks have one of the best offensive line groups in the state. Cole Reiter has committed to Wisconsin, while Carter Gordon and Brady Moranski are Division 1 prospects up front as well.

4) Brookfield East opened the conference schedule with a win over Hamilton, and would hold on to grab a share of the Greater Metro Conference crown. They nearly took down eventual Division 1 state champion Arrowhead in Level 2 of the playoffs, but fell 31-29. The Spartans are looking to replace quarterback Zeke Sawall and leading rusher Max Matter, but leading receiver Beau Evans is among the returnees. Defensively, they’ll have to find a way to replace D1 linebacker Jack Murray.

5) Marquette did enough to qualify for the playoffs last year, but the Hilltoppers would finish just 4-6 overall after a Level 1 playoff loss to Hamilton where they gave up 58 points. Second-year coach Jon Kahle has to replace the school’s all-time leading rusher Tommy Novotny amongst others, but does return five starters on offense and five on defense. Ben Schroeder is back at the quarterback spot after throwing for more than 2000 yards, with receiver Christian Miller and Ian Beckes also standouts coming back on offense.

6) Brookfield Central went 3-7 last year after a 39-8 Level 1 playoff loss against Monona Grove. “We'll have a veteran senior class that has accumulated a lot of starts over the past two years,” said head coach Joel Nellis. “We'll have a new quarterback (Sam Coragio) that will have an opportunity to have a big year. We have a challenging schedule with two crossover games with the Classic Eight.” The Lancers bring back 30 letterwinners, including seven starters in the Gun-T offense as well as eight defensive starters. Aadil Bajwa could be in for a big year at running back.