
FRCC-North 2026 Football Preview: Title Contenders and Rising Stars
The 2026 season of the FRCC‑North conference builds on recent drama, with Bay Port and West De Pere leading the pack and several teams eyeing playoff breakthroughs.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Appleton, Wisconsin across Baseball, Football, Basketball.

The 2026 season of the FRCC‑North conference builds on recent drama, with Bay Port and West De Pere leading the pack and several teams eyeing playoff breakthroughs.
A basketball camp organized by former Wisconsin Badgers player Brian Butch brought together local coaches and players to raise almost $10,000 for families impacted by the recent EF‑3 tornado across Appleton, Fox Crossing, Neenah and Menasha.
An EF-3 tornado destroyed Calder Stadium in July, forcing the Menasha High School football team to relocate practices and games. With strong support from local officials and university partners, players and coaches remain focused on the upcoming season.
The upcoming 2026 season spotlights 25 elite high school defensive players from the Appleton region, featuring conference players of the year, all‑conference selections and future college signees.

The Fond du Lac 16U Lakers baseball team clinched a spot in the state tournament after an 18‑10 victory over Appleton, finishing the season at 20‑0. The club will next face Sparta in Beloit, while the 19U team prepares for regional play.
A new KidsUnited location opens on August 28 at 750 Northland Ave, offering weekly lessons and a free trial for children aged 18 months to 9 years.

River Falls Wildcats clinch their first state tournament berth since 2015, bond over a grain‑mill rag‑ball tradition, and finish the season with a resilient 4‑1 quarterfinal loss, while seniors depart and the program looks ahead.

The Cedar Grove‑Belgium Rockets clinched their inaugural Division‑3 baseball championship on Saturday, routing Dodgeville 13‑9 at Fox Cities Stadium. An 18‑5 season and an 11‑1 conference record set the stage for a parade in Belgium and fire‑truck sirens in Cedar Grove.

Cedar Grove-Belgium erupted for 12 runs in the opening innings and secured a 13-9 win against Dodgeville, marking the school's inaugural state baseball title.

The Kaukauna Ghosts baseball team advanced to the state championship with a 7-1 semifinal win, a first appearance in 72 years, led by pitcher Bron Schaefer and a rallying offense.

From an 11‑inning defensive battle to dominant offensive displays, the second day of the WIAA State Baseball Tournament produced dramatic moments that will shape the championship matchups across all divisions.
The 78th WIAA state baseball tournament runs June 15‑18 at Neuroscience Group Field, showcasing Milwaukee‑area teams, live streams, ticket details, and standout player highlights.

The top‑seeded Kimberly Papermakers edged Appleton North 1‑0 in a girls soccer sectional semifinal, with Ashlyn Krueger scoring the decisive goal in the 67th minute. They will now face the winner of the Hudson‑Wausau West match at UW‑Stevens Point on Saturday at 1 p.m.

The 2026 NCAA Division III baseball championship series pits top‑ranked Denison against sixth‑seeded Endicott in a highly anticipated best‑of‑three at Classic Auto Group Park. With a full bracket revealed earlier this month, the series continues a tradition of dramatic finishes that have defined Division III baseball for decades.

The Little Chute Girls Flag Football Team entered its inaugural season with a simple goal: to compete, to learn, and to enjoy the game. What began as a homecoming powder‑puff game quickly evolved into a full‑scale program, and the team has already dominated the Central Wisconsin Girls Flag Football League. With a perfect 5‑0 record in the regular season, the squad is now poised to chase a championship that many thought would take years to materialize. Freshman Adalyn Engle says the chance to see girls on the gridiron is inspiring, noting that the team proves that opportunity can reshape expectations. Head coach Mark Krommenacker, who also guides the boys’ varsity football team, has overseen a rapid improvement curve, turning raw talent into disciplined play. Junior Faith Kolosso, a vocal leader on the field, has spoken of aiming not only to win but to finish the season undefeated, a target the team is actively pursuing. The next test arrives in the semifinals against Appleton West, a matchup that promises high stakes and a chance to showcase the team’s progress. Beyond the scoreboard, the players emphasize having fun and building camaraderie, a philosophy that resonates with teammates and supporters alike.

The St. Thomas More Cavaliers enter the state playoffs as the No. 2 seed, earning a first‑round bye that positions them favorably in the bracket. Head coach Tim Schultz, who has guided the program for six seasons, stresses a philosophy built on relentless defense and disciplined hitting, a formula that has taken the team to a 20‑6 regular‑season record. The Cavaliers captured the Metro Classic Conference title outright, finishing the schedule with a balanced attack and a pitching staff that has been among the league’s most stingy. Outfielder Luke Mrazek, pitcher Ethan Rudolph and senior shortstop Brayden Alivo headline a core group that blends experience with youthful vigor, each aware that the stakes extend beyond a single game. Rudolph arrives undefeated at 7‑0, his confidence bolstered by a track record that includes a shutout earlier this month, while Mrazek focuses on maintaining his swing’s sharpness for the postseason. Alivo carries the memory of a 2023 state‑championship loss in 11 innings to Denmark, a defeat that has become a rallying point for a squad determined to return to the title game and finish the job. With the championship on the horizon, the Cavaliers are poised to translate their regular‑season momentum into a deep playoff run, aiming to bring a title back to St. Thomas More.

Dorothy Izzo, mother of Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo, died at age 100 in Wisconsin. Her life spanned nursing, sports fandom, and close family ties.
Dorothy Izzo, a centenarian who balanced a career in nursing with a lifelong love of basketball, captured the public’s heart when her son joked that she could outplay a player on the team. Her story of family, faith, and fandom resonates far beyond the court.

The Xavier girls soccer team delivered a commanding 8‑0 victory over Saint Mary’s Springs in Appleton, preserving an unbeaten record and showcasing a relentless offense.
After a 24‑5 season that delivered Appleton North its first conference title and a state semifinal appearance, head coach Chris Kellett announced his resignation, citing a desire to spend more time with his family.
The Post-Crescent's latest high school sports rankings reveal top-performing teams in softball, baseball and girls soccer, with key matchups on the horizon.