Appleton West football entered the state rankings for the first time this season after a hard‑fought 20-14 victory over Green Bay Southwest, snapping a three‑game stretch that had not been achieved since 2004.
The win was propelled by Isaac Ise’s 80‑yard kickoff return for a touchdown, while standout contributions came from Azzil Eggert, Ashton VanBeek and Muhammad Jobe, each playing pivotal roles in the team’s success.
Across the state, other programs continued to dominate: Little Chute extended its lead with a 28-14 win over Wrightstown, Freedom rolled past New London 63-7, and Winneconne held steady at No. 3 after a 34-7 triumph at Shawano, highlighted by Camden Plotz’s 136‑yard performance.
Appleton North rebounded from a 2-1 start with a 34-17 victory over Hortonville, featuring Brock Struensee’s 112‑yard rushing effort and Owen Rein’s 106‑yard passing night.
Neenah secured its first win of the season, routing Appleton East 40-2, with Ashton VanBeek scoring four touchdowns.
Kaukauna climbed the rankings after a 14-7 win over Kimberly, as Muhammad Jobe rushed for 221 yards and two scores.
Shiocton made its debut in the Division 7 rankings, posting a 7-0 shutout at Crivitz, while Braden Heiges of Fox Valley Lutheran delivered a 157‑yard passing and 116‑yard rushing performance in a 28-21 win over Seymour.
Upcoming Challenges
Looking ahead, Appleton West faces a demanding stretch with road games at De Pere, West De Pere and Bay Port, tests that could determine whether the early surge translates into a sustained push for a higher ranking.