2026 Across the Bay‑8 Football Preview
The 2026 season of the Across the Bay‑8 eight‑player football conference is set to begin, and early forecasts already point to a reshaped competitive landscape. After a dominant 2025 campaign, the league’s traditional powers are adjusting to new rosters, realignments and enrollment constraints that could reshape the playoff picture.
Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas entered last year as the clear front‑runners, posting a two‑game margin over the rest of the league and advancing to the state semifinals. Their blend of experienced seniors and a potent offense made them the team to beat, but the graduation of several key contributors has opened a window for challengers to close the gap.
Analysts now project Sevastopol to finish the regular season in first place, with Algoma slated to follow in second and Valley Christian expected to round out the top three. These predictions reflect a combination of returning talent, strong offseason work and the impact of teams that have moved into the conference or shifted divisions.
Key Storylines
The biggest storylines revolve around Sevastopol’s ascent, Valley Christian’s push for a top‑three finish, and the emergence of Oneida Nation as an independent program. Equally compelling are the eligibility battles that have reshaped traditional power structures and the way new transfers are reshaping team dynamics.
Among the players to watch, Valley Christian quarterback Mason Everts returns after earning Second Team All‑Conference honors in the Southeast‑8, having thrown for 776 yards and nine touchdowns a year ago. Running back and defensive back Sam Gloudemans also returns, having rushed for 718 yards and 13 touchdowns while adding a defensive presence. From Sevastopol, linebacker Ray Johnson earned First Team All‑Conference honors at linebacker last season and will anchor a defense that reached a sectional final.
Other notable names include Gibraltar’s Sam Neal, a sophomore who topped the 1,000‑yard rushing mark, and Elkhart Lake‑Glenbeulah quarterback Cole Wagner, a First Team All‑Conference pick who previously led his team to an 8‑player playoff berth. The newcomer Oneida Nation is also generating buzz as it fields its own program after years of co‑op participation.
Enrollment caps and playoff eligibility rules continue to shape the competitive balance. Algoma, despite a 6‑2 record last year, was deemed too large to qualify for the 200‑student playoff threshold, while Green Bay NEW Lutheran/Providence Academy’s enrollment similarly barred them from postseason action. These constraints add a strategic layer to each team’s scheduling and development plans.
The upcoming season promises fresh rivalries, breakout performances and the kind of community excitement that has long defined Wisconsin eight‑player football. As coaches finalize game plans and fans fill the stands, the Across the Bay‑8 looks poised to deliver another year of memorable moments.