The 2026 Mississippi Valley Conference football preview paints a picture of a tightly contested season, with Holmen projected to finish atop the standings after a tie for first place in 2025. The forecast lists Holmen, La Crosse Logan, Onalaska, La Crosse Central, Sparta, Tomah, and Baraboo as the teams shaping the upcoming schedule.
A Forecast of Contenders
Holmen entered the 2025 campaign with 28 seniors and 12 returning starters, a unit anchored by defensive lineman Mason Flury, who earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. The team’s strong defensive core helped it finish tied for first place before a playoff loss to Nicolet, setting the stage for a hopeful rebound.
Key Players to Watch
La Crosse Logan’s quarterback Tommy Check returns after a standout season that produced 793 passing yards and 1,018 rushing yards, earning second‑team all‑conference recognition. The offense will also benefit from returning lineman Jesse Lycke, who provides additional stability up front.
Onalaska’s head coach Tom Yashinsky expects depth at skill positions but warns that the offensive and defensive lines will be tested, even as running back Kaeson Stettler looks to build on his 636 rushing yards and seven touchdowns despite missing time due to injury.
La Crosse Central will be led by new head coach Michael Arnold, who takes over after Mitch Olson’s departure, while Gabe Servais, who contributed over 1,200 yards of offense last year, remains a versatile two‑way threat on both sides of the ball.
Sparta’s offense will rely on quarterback Everett Laufenberg, who threw for 1,301 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025, though the team missed the playoffs a year ago and will look to improve on a 4‑5 record.
Baraboo, after a winless 2025 season that included six games with at least 42 points allowed, hopes to reverse fortunes, though the outlook remains challenging given the roster’s inexperience and the difficulty of the schedule.
The preview also notes the departure of Maxim Roberts from Logan and the continued presence of Jesse Lycke on the line, while the author’s personal ties kept Reedsburg out of the predicted order of finish.