2026 Bay Conference Preview
The Bay Conference is gearing up for the 2026 football season, a seven‑team league that blends tradition with fresh ambition.
Winneconne enters as the preseason favorite after capturing the conference title and a Division 4 state championship last year, and the Wildcats are expected to defend that crown with a core that includes Mason Mathe, Ryan Quigley and Brody Schaffer.
Fox Valley Lutheran, under head coach Seth Jaeger, will rely on a revamped offense with Braden Heiges taking the snap at quarterback, while key returnees such as Mason Mathe and Ryan Quigley look to build on their 2025 numbers.
Xavier, despite a winless conference slate in 2025, is projected to climb the standings, with coach Jeff Marsh’s new roster featuring several first‑year starters eager to prove themselves.
Shawano’s sophomore standout Marcus Brezgel will anchor the offense, having posted 664 yards and six touchdowns a year ago, while Jacoby Dobberstein continues to dominate the receiving stats across the league.
Other notable contributors include Broderick Stille, Baylor VanBommel, Gabe Heiges, and the explosive Brody Schaffer, who amassed over 3,000 yards and 43 touchdowns in 2025, and the dynamic duo of Mason Mathe and Ryan Quigley, who combined for more than 1,000 receiving yards and eight touchdowns each.
Coaches across the circuit are optimistic; Seth Jaeger expects younger talent to step up, while Jeff Marsh brings a fresh perspective to Seymour’s program, and the returning 11 starters at Waupaca give the team a solid foundation.
The 2025 season also saw Catholic Memorial dominate Division 3, highlighted by senior Dustin Roach, a Wisconsin commit, and a host of other standouts such as Broderick Stille and Baylor VanBommel, underscoring the depth of talent in the region.
With a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging playmakers, the Bay Conference promises another competitive year, and fans can look forward to seeing how each of the listed athletes — including Jason Bins, Tony Altmann, Wyatt Buenning, Westen Lauritzen, Erik Harms, Dylan Johnson, Dave Hinkens, Ben Kappell, Tristan Lawe, Bennett Hansen, Preston Krueger, Cory Booker, and Austin Heling — will shape the action on the field.
The excitement is palpable as teams finalize preparations, and the upcoming schedule promises matchups that could redefine the conference hierarchy.