Parkland 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: Catholic Memorial was the outright champ of the Parkland last year, finishing two games clear of anyone else. The Crusaders advanced to the state semifinals before going out to Grafton. New Berlin Eisenhower was second, followed by New Berlin West. Tosa West and Tosa East also qualified for the postseason, with Tosa East the only Parkland team to win a postseason game, over Milwaukee King, other than Catholic Memorial.

Note: The Parkland is a seven-team league paired with the Woodland for one crossover game. Catholic Memorial moves from the Parkland to the Greater Metro. West Allis Central moves from the Parkland to the Woodland. Pewaukee joins the Parkland from the Classic Eight.

2025 Parkland Season Information:
Standings
Stats
All-Conference

2025 Classic Eight Season Information:
Standings
Stats
All-Conference

2026 PREVIEW:

Predicted Order of Finish:

1) Pewaukee
2) New Berlin West
3) Waukesha South
4) New Berlin Eisenhower
5) Wauwatosa East
6) Wauwatosa West
7) Waukesha North

Players to Watch:

Cole Biscobing, OL/DL, New Berlin Eisenhower: Biscobing is one of the top lineman in the league, earning First Team All-Conference recognition on both offense and defense last year.

Keegan DeGeorge, WR, Waukesha South: DeGeorge caught 63 passes for 979 yards and 13 touchdowns to earn First Team All-Conference.

Aidan Devine, RB/LB, New Berlin West: Devine led the Vikings in rushing (1,100 yards) and tackles (62) last season as a two-way First Team All-Conference pick.

Jordan Garcia, QB, Waukesha South: Garcia is one of the state’s top senior quarterbacks, throwing for 2,068 yards and 19 touchdowns as a First Team All-Conference selection in the Parkland.

Zach Hewitt, WR/DB, New Berlin West: Hewitt joins teammate Aidan Devine as a two-way First Team All-Conference selection, leading the team in receiving.

Cole Reikowski, OL/DL, Pewaukee: Reikowski was a First Team All-Conference and WFCA All-State choice as an offensive lineman last year and has committed to Northwestern.

Jack Tabbert, OL/DL, Pewaukee: Tabbert is a standout lineman on both sides of the ball and after a strong showing at camp this summer, gave a commitment to Wisconsin as an offensive lineman.

Drew Thompson, QB, Waukesha North: Thompson threw for nearly 1200 yards with 12 touchdowns, adding more than 300 yards on the ground.

2026 Team Previews

1) Pewaukee would not have qualified for the playoffs in past years at 2-5 in the ultra-tough Classic Eight, but did get in thanks in large part to a pair of non-league wins over Port Washington and Greendale. They’d make lengthy trips in the playoffs, but took down third-seeded Sauk Prairie and then second-seeded Onalaska in a thriller before exiting against Reedsburg. Properly moved out of the Classic Eight and into the Parkland, the Pirates figure to be one of the better teams in the state. “We are a team that has a lot of returning players from a State Quarterfinalist finish in 2025,” said head coach Justin Friske. “Our offensive and defensive lines should be a strong point of our team, and the experience we have gained playing in the Classic Eight the past two seasons should pay dividends as we transition back to the Parkland Conference in 2026.” The team can rely on a pair of Big Ten linemen, Cade Reikowski (Northwestern) and Jack Tabbert (Wisconsin), along with the returning quarterback duo of Brooks Dobberstein and Benji Weis. Colton Wall is an outstanding athlete who will play on both sides as well. There are a total of seven starters back on offense and seven on defense.

2) New Berlin West won seven of the first eight games last year, but dropped the regular season finale to rival New Berlin Eisenhower, and despite still receiving a top seed in the playoffs, were shocked by eight-seed Whitefish Bay 31-7. “The strength of the team will be experience with key returners at every position,” said head coach Ben Chossek. Building depth and having the size to match up with big physical teams will be keys to success for 2026.” There are nine starters returning on the offensive side of the ball, including leading rusher Aidan Devine as well as second-leading rusher Evan Trudell, quarterback Logan Zylka, and top receiving option Zachary Hewitt. Seven starters are back on the defensive side of the ball.

3) Waukesha South made some strides last year, finishing 3-6 overall, but five of the losses coming by 11 points or less, including four in a row that were decided by four points or less. Still, the Blackshirts missed out on the playoffs once again, as they have not qualified since 1999. This could be one of the best chances to make it happen, as they return eight starters on offense and six on defense, with 32 letterwinners returning. “One of our biggest strengths in football is our experience,” said head coach Darnell Wiltz. “We understand the game, communicate well on the field, and know how to stay composed in different situations. Our experience helps us make smart decisions, support one another, and compete with confidence.” Waukesha South has a strong passing group coming back, including quarterback Jordan Garcia as well as top receivers Keegan DeGeorge, Richard Leckie, and James Hopson.

4) New Berlin Eisenhower was a bit up-and-down last fall, dropping a couple close non-conference games to Edgewood and Whitnall before rebounding to a tie for second place in the Parkland Conference standings. That included a 15-10 closing regular season win over rival New Berlin West in the National (Avenue) Championship Game. However, they’d drop a home game in the Level 1 playoffs to Burlington. “Though not a lot of starters back, we have 15 letterwinners back so we've got a good number of guys who played a decent amount last year,” said veteran head coach Matt Kern. “I think the second and third levels of our defense will be a strength as we have good team speed and good athletes overall at the linebacker and defensive back spots.” The Lions return three starters on offense and five on defense, with Cole Biscobing a two-way standout up front. Eisenhower is high on senior quarterback Max Nemoir, who stepped in to play in the playoff game and performed well.

5) Wauwatosa East had a lot of competitive games in the Parkland Conference last year, but finished just 3-4 after dropping some close games. They’d get a playoff win on the road at Milwaukee King, but fall the Rice Lake the next week. “We will be an inexperienced team this year,” said veteran head coach tom Swittel. “The vast majority of our offensive production graduated last year. The same can be said of our defensive production, also. We will not have a lot of guys out so that will most definitely affect our depth.” The Red Raiders return four starters on offense and three on defense, with just 15 letterwinners back. Louie Fox will be a four-year starter at quarterback, and could get involved more in the offense, especially with the graduation of 1700-yard rusher Zyon White.

6) Wauwatosa West finished 4-6 in the 2025 season, as the Trojans were able to make it into the playoffs but exited right away against Germantown. “On offense our strengths will be our quarterback and wide receiver play while on defense our strength will be our defensive backs,” said head coach Nick Vitale, who returns four total starters on offense and three on defense. “Our weaknesses will be our lack of depth on both sides of the ball.” Hawkin Ullsperger saw plenty of time at quarterback on the varsity squad as a freshman last year and performed well.

7) Waukesha North went 3-6 last year, but it left the Northstars out of the postseason. They were very close in quite a few of those defeats, including four that came by two scores or less. Head coach Derek Sweger likes the athleticism on his team and the excitement around things this year, especially with the return of multi-dimensional quarterback Drew Thompson.