Season Outlook
The upcoming 2026 prep football season in Wisconsin promises fresh storylines as three western programs — Cochrane‑Fountain City, McDonell, and Gilman — aim to reclaim the state titles they captured in 2025. Each returns key talent while navigating new conference alignments and coaching changes that could reshape the competitive balance.
Parker Kujak and Aidan Lisowski headline the Pirates’ roster, hoping to guide the team back to Camp Randall Stadium. Meanwhile, Luke Anderson continues to dominate as the state’s top receiver, having posted over 1,000 yards and 20 touchdowns last year. On defense, Keaton Wollan’s tackle production and Bode Falkner’s 40 total touchdowns make them among the most watched prospects in the region.
Coaching turnover adds another layer of intrigue. New head coaches have taken over at several schools, including Mike Sinz at Eau Claire North, Mitch Olson at Menomonie, Chad Hanson returning to Eleva‑Strum after a seven‑year stint at Altoona, and Luke Oliver replacing Mark Maloney at McDonell. These changes accompany conference realignments that see the Dunn‑St. Croix Conference welcome McDonell and Osseo‑Fairchild, while the Cloverbelt shrinks to seven teams with crossover matchups.
The shift in conference structure also affects smaller programs. Lake Holcombe moves to the North Central‑West, joining Clear Lake and Turtle Lake, while Augusta and Colfax — both winless in the past two seasons — meet in Week 1 with the chance to break their drought. Long‑standing streaks remain intact, with Menomonie boasting the longest playoff run at 37 seasons and Mondovi holding a nine‑year streak.
Beyond the familiar names, several young athletes are poised to make their mark. Connor Carr, the only returning All‑Conference lineman in the Big Rivers Conference, anchors the Rice Lake front, while Keaton Wollan’s commitment to the Wisconsin Badgers adds excitement to the defensive line. Their performances could define the season’s narrative and influence future recruiting trends.