Week 4 Rapid Reaction

Last week in Rapid Reaction we talked about cycle that a number of normally strong programs have found themselves in during the first third of the 2026 season, with many sitting at 0-3.

A number of them were finally able to crack the win column and take a step toward getting things back on track.

Badger had dropped three straight to begin the season, but didn’t have too many troubles with Beloit Memorial, defeating the Purple Knights 47-21. This was a good “get right” game for Badger against a winless Beloit team, but next week will be a tough one, as they’ll welcome in Elkhorn, who is 3-1 after a 32-0 win over upstart Westosha Central last night.

Similarly, Kimberly was able to secure its first victory this year with a 37-14 decision over Appleton East, though the Patriots aren’t considered one of the top challengers in the FVA. Kimberly has a couple games where they can continue to get right coming up before a tough closing stretch against Appleton North, Fond du Lac, and Neenah.

Monroe had played some very competitive games this year, with a pair of one-score losses along with a 13-point defeat to Oregon, and the Cheesemakers showed they were able to stay the course, grating out a 35-0 win over Fort Atkinson.

While some of the teams that started 0-3 were able to get a win in Week 4, others saw their rough start to the 2026 season continue.

After struggling offensively, with back-to-back shutout losses, Hartford got things going on the scoreboard, but it wasn’t quite enough in a 44-43 loss to Wisconsin Lutheran.

Kettle Moraine went down to Hamilton 49-14, and against arguably the toughest schedule in the state this year, the Lasers may not win a game, as they still have to play the other Classic Eight teams.

Menomonie’s woes continue, as the Mustangs dropped to 0-4 following a 54-21 loss to Hudson. Rice Lake fell 41-22 to Stevens Point, but one of Rice Lake or Menomonie will get their first win next week when the teams face off.

Ellsworth is still looking for its first win of the year after going to Prescott and heading home with a 14-6 loss.

Columbus has won 15 playoff games in the last five years, including a trip to the state semifinals last year, but the Cardinals fall to 0-4 in 2026 with a 35-7 loss to Lake Mills.

Unfortunately it has been a rough year for teams canceling games and dropping seasons.

Once again, there were no games contested by the seven teams in the Milwaukee City-Blackbourn Division. Through four weeks, there have been no conference games played in the league, and only one team, Fuller Collegiate, has actually played a game on the field, falling to Milwaukee Bay View in an MPS crossover back in Week 2. Fuller Collegiate is in its first season as a standalone program.

There have been a number of 8-player programs that have canceled their seasons, several before they even began, or canceled games this year. After winning an 8-player state championship in 2023, Florence announced this week that they would be canceling the remainder of their season due to low numbers and injuries.

All told, 17 games in Week 4 were either canceled or forfeited.