Mauston, WI
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2025 HS Football Previews – Hillsboro Tigers
5 hours
2025 Hillsboro Tigers
2024 Record: 6-4 (4-3 Scenic Bluffs Conference)
Head Coach: Eric Auel
Mike’s 2025 Projected Record 6-3 (4-3 Scenic Bluffs Conference)
Players to Watch: QB/DB Miles Ravenscroft RB/LB Caden Clark RB/LB Tyler Slama TE/LB David Johnson OL/LB Ryan McCoic OL/DL Dane Green OL/DL Jorge Quinonez
Team Preview: If youre looking for a dark horse pick to win the Scenic Bluffs Conference look no further than the Hillsboro Tigers. The Tigers return a lot of size and strength from last year’s team. Caden Clark, David Johnson, Ryan McCoic Dane Green and Jorge Qunonez are all bruisers for the Tigers that bring the boom. Clark was 2nd on the team in tackles with 47 last season. Miles Ravenscroft (12-20-1-95 0tds passing 43-296 3tds rushing) is one of the more athletic QB’s in the conference and is looking to stay healthy and be that much more dangerous this year after suffering a week 1 shoulder injury last year. Caden Clark (125-765 7tds) is a physical fullback that will wear opposing defense out. Hillsboro doesn’t throw the ball much but David Johnson has some sure hands in the passing game for the Tigers. I have Hillsboro going just 4-3 in the conference but don’t be surprised if they win some games theyre not supposed to giving them a shot at a conference championship.
Key to Success: New Care Tigers in the backfield! Joseph Cairns led the team in the offensive and defensive backfields last season. He led the team in tackles defensively and rushing offensively. Hillsboro must find a way to replace his production. Caden Clark and Tyler Slama will help lead the rushing attack and Clark and Dane Green should fill the gaps defensively.
Game to watch: Week 5 Friday September 19th at Royall
Last year’s game was an instant classic comeback for Hillsboro. This year’s matchup could be equally as good and should be a physical game between two teams with a lot of beef upfront.
Hillsboro Tiger games on WRJC Radio: Week 2 at Riverdale Week 5 at Royall Week 6 at home vs New Lisbon & Week 8 at Cashton (NOW92.1FM WRJC.com)
Next Preview: Cashton Eagles
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
2025 HS Football Previews – Bangor Cardinals
1 day
2025 Bangor Cardinals
2024 Record: 8-3 (6-1 Scenic Bluffs Conference)
Head Coach: Todd Grant (5th Season 38-10 Record)
Mike’s 2025 Projected Record 8-1 (7-0 Scenic Bluffs Conference)
Players to Watch: QB/DB Hayden Massman RB/LB Dylan Mathison RB/LB Sawyer Jacobson RB/LB Gabriel Cropp OL/DL Ethin Jacobson RB/LB Brock Daines
Team Preview: Bangor certainly has holes to fill from last year’s 8-3 team but I believe they have the talent to re-claim the Scenic Bluffs Conference Championship for the first time in a few years. QB Hayden Massman (19-47-4-512yards 5tds) is back to lead the team. Massman is a good athlete capable of having a strong season behinds center. He will need to find a new favorite target to pass to after losing Landon Phillips to graduation. Thousand yard rusher Eli Tucker is gone but Bangor welcomes back Dylan Mathison (97-615 8tds) and Sawyer Jacobson (7-186 2tds) to its backfield. Gabriel Cropp and Ethin Jacobson give them some strength on the offensive line. Cropp led the team in tackles and TFL’s for a loss with 92 and 9 last season and Mathison was the 2nd leading tackler with 89. Hayden Massman led the team in interceptions with 3 last year giving Bangor plenty of experience on the defensive side as well. This isn’t your older brother Bangor Cardinal Football team but they should have enough talent to contend for another Conference Championship.
Key to Success: Mixing things up! Bangor is known for their hard nose rushing attack and that is expected to continue but if Massman can find a target to throw to and keep teams off balance the Cardinals become all the more formidable.
Game to watch: Week 7 Friday October 3rd home vs Cashton
It’s a great rivalry game and the two teams I have as my top 2 contenders in the conference. This should be a great game as always potentially with a lot on the line.
Bangor Cardinal games on WRJC Radio: none at this time
Next Preview: Hillsboro Tigers
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
2025 HS Football Previews – Ithaca Bulldogs
2 days
2025 Ithaca Bulldogs
2024 Record: 10-1 (7-0 Scenic Bluffs Conference)
Head Coach: David Klang & Kyle Kelley
Mike’s 2025 Projected Record 6-3 (4-3 Scenic Bluffs Conference)
Players to Watch: QB/CB Keegan Jones RB/LB Liam Rowin RB/CB Ethan Birkrem WR/CB Caden Keller OL/DL Cody Byrnes OL/DL Hewsten Garcia-Boland
Team Preview: Ithaca rolled in their first season in the Scenic Bluffs Conference going undefeated in the regular and conference season before hitting a tailspin in the post season. Things should be a little tougher in the conference this season after losing a pair of receivers and big time running back Wyatt Hilby. Ithaca is still a big team especially up front. Cody Brynes will be strong on both sides of the ball leading the Bulldogs with 7sacks last season. Hewsten Garcia-Boland, Devin Ihm, and “Ernie” Fagan are all big bodies in the trenches for the Bulldogs. Keegen Jones (66-102-5-967 13tds) is back at quarterback but will have to find new players to throw to. Liam Rowin (54-227 2tds) is the leading returning rusher from last year. Ithaca may find the hills and valleys a little steeper this year but has the size and strength to compete for another conference championship.
Key to Success: Offensive Success! I think Ithaca will be strong on the defensive side. They must find replacements for their receivers and running backs they lost from last year. The line should make things easier on the rushing game and give an experience QB in Jones time to find his new receivers.
Game to watch: Week 5 Friday September 19th home vs Cashton
Ithaca opens up the conference season with a gauntlet of opponents in Hillsboro, Bangor, and Cashton. Cashton will be the final leg of that stretch and if Ithaca can get thru that unblemished they will have a very good chance to claim a 2nd straight SBC Championship.
Ithaca Bulldog games on WRJC Radio: Week 7 Saturday October 4th Home Vs Royall 1:30pm (NOW92.1FM & WRJC.com)
Next Preview: Bangor Cardinals
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
2025 HS Football Previews – Adams-Friendship Green Devils
3 days
2025 Adams-Friendship Green Devils
2024 Record: 2-7 (1-6 South Central Conference)
Head Coach: Nick Stormoen
Mike’s 2025 Projected Record 1-8 (0-7 South Central Conference)
Players to Watch: QB/DB Cody Hendricksen RB/LB Cody Ratz WR/DB Miles Nawrot WR/DB Dawson Skelton
Team Preview: After winning the South Central Conference in 2023 its been downhill for the Green Devils finishing just 1-6 in the conference last year and they lose a bunch of regulars from last year’s team due to graduation. Cody Hendricksen (37-88-7-707 6tds) is back at quarterback he is also their leading returning rusher with 379yards and 5touchdowns. Hendricksen doesn’t have many returning players joining him. Cody Ratz (16-66 0tds) is a big strong kid who has a chance to lead the ground attack this year. Miles Nawrot (4-47 0tds receiving) will have to have a bigger role in the passing game. Dawson Skelton is back on defense after notching 1 interception last year. On paper the Green Devils should struggle this season but we all know games aren’t played on paper and sometimes players come out of nowhere at the high school level.
Key to Success: Player development. The Green Devils will need players to develop quickly and take bigger roles on both sides of the ball. Cody Ratz is a kid I would keep an eye on. He could come out of nowhere to be an impact offensive player for Adams-Friendship
Game to watch: Week 5 Friday September 19th Home vs Mauston
This is a good rivalry game and a game both teams will want to win and maybe need to win in a big way!
Adams-Friendship Games on WRJC Radio: Week 5 Friday September 19th home vs Mauston (SmashCountry92.9FM WRJC.com)
Next Preview: Ithaca Bulldogs
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
2025 HS Football Preview – Wisconsin Dells Chiefs
4 days
2025 Wisconsin Dells Chiefs
2024 Record: 7-3 (6-1 South Central Conference)
Head Coach: Michael Janke
Mike’s 2025 Projected Record 6-3 (5-2 South Central Conference)
Players to Watch: QB/LB Lex Rettinger RB/DB Kashton Stoddard DL Hendrix Dawson TE/LB Jax Gall
Team Preview: The Dells returns a strong quarterback in Lex Rettinger (72-131-8-1179 9tds) however outside of Rettinger they have a lot of shoes to fill from last season. All everything running back Sam Erland graduated and Kashton Stoddard (19-163 3tds) will attempt to help fill that spot. Rettingers top 3 receivers are also gone from last year’s team. Lex will have his brother Bear as a tall target to throw to and a couple of good athletes in Nolan Schmitz and Carter Syverson. There is also a lot of players to replace on the defensive side of the ball but Hendrix Dawson is a big defensive linemen who had 54tackles and a pair of fumbler recoveries last season will try to lead the defense. I don’t think the Dells will be as strong as last year but they still have a chance to be good within the SCC and make a post season push.
Key to Success: Filling shoes. They say tradition never graduates but key players have for the Dells. They will need players like Nolan Schmitz, Kashton Stoddard, Jax Gall to have a bigger impact on this years team if they want to continue their success from last season.
Game to watch: Week 1 Thursday August 21st at Portage
It’s a week 1 Thursday game with two former South Central Conference opponents and a battle with former Necedah head coach Chris Rice’s warriors. Portage crushed the Dells last year and the Chiefs are set on some revenge.
Wisconsin Dells Games on WRJC Radio: Week 7 Friday October 3rd home vs Mauston (SmashCountry92.9FM WRJC.com)
Next Preview: Adams-Friendship Green Devils
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
2025 HS Football Previews – Mauston Golden Eagles
1 week
2025 Mauston Golden Eagles
2024 Record: 2-7 (2-5 South Central Conference)
Head Coach: Nick Whalen (1st year 0-0 Record)
Mike’s 2025 Projected Record 3-6 (3-4 South Central Conference)
Players to Watch: RB/LB Tyler Hartje RB/LB Eli Rader TE/LB Brian Kastner QB/LB Masyn Bires OL/LB Austin Hunter
Team Preview: It appears to be a new era for Mauston football. 3-4 year players and leaders like Hayden Gyllin and Tyler Link have graduated and Coach Dustin Vickerman left for the Northwoods. Nick Whalen steps in as the new head football coach. Whalen has plenty of experience including stops at Western Kentucky and Drake among others as an assistant coach. Eli Rader (22-127 0tds) brings the power in the backfield while Tyler Hartje (30-229 0tds) should bring the speed in the backfield hopefully making life easier for whoever replaces Tyler Link at Quarterback. Masyn Bires might get the first crack at quarterback. Bires is an athlete who might use his feet as much as his arm. Brian Kastner (47tackles) is a big strong kid who could be a leader on the defensive side. Austin Hunter is a physical kid who should be solid in the interior on both sides of the ball. Mauston is young and not a whole lot is known about this year’s team, Mauston could come out of nowhere this season to be a surprise team.
Key to Success: Leadership! Perhaps Gyllins and Links biggest asset to last year’s team was their leadership as much as their football talents, with both of them gone who will fill that role? Coach Whalen will look for players like Brian Kastner and Eli Rader to fill that role and lead this Mauston team. Mauston has a tough non-conference schedule and if they get down early players will have to step up to right the ship.
Game to watch: Week 7 Friday October 3rd at Wisconsin Dells
It’s one of the best rivalries in the South Central Conference. The Dells is a beatable opponent this year and Mauston will try to knock them off for the 2nd time in 3 years.
Mauston Golden Eagle games on WRJC Radio: All of them Weeks 1-9 with Jack Hammer (SmashCountry92.9FM WRJC.com)
Next Preview: Wisconsin Dells
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
2025 HS Football Previews – Nekoosa Papermakers
1 week
2025 Nekoosa Papermakers
2024 Record: 7-3 (5-2 South Central Conference)
Head Coach: Derek Baker
Mike’s 2025 Projected Record 6-3 (4-3 South Central Conference)
Players to Watch: RB/DB Finn Krcmar RB/DB Jacob Bertling RB/LB Owen Hoogesteger QB/DB Eli Anderson
Team Preview: Nekoosa had a fine season in its return to the South Central Conference finishing 7-3 overall. Nekoosa loses some big players due to gradution like QB Nash Krcmar and Logan Spice but returns some good athletes. Eli Anderson might get the first crack at quarterback. Anderson has a strong arm on the baseball diamond and is a good athlete. Finn Krcmar (95-596 5tds) was 2nd behind his brother in rushing yards last season. Jacob Bertling (51-304 5tds) and Owen Hoogesteger (43-296 3tds) add to a strong backfield for the Papermakers. The defense and offensive line could be concerns for the Papermakers. If Nekoosa can find a playmaker at quarterback sure up the defensive line and offensive line they could be headed back to the postseason.
Key to Success: Interior play. Outside of Landon WIlhorn there is not a lot of size on this Nekoosa team. They will have to play tough and bigger than their given size. Football isn’t always about size sometimes it’s more about leverage and toughness if Nekoosa can develop that they should have a chance for a solid season.
Game to watch: Week 9 Friday October 17th at Mauston
It’s the final game of the regular season and a possible playoff spot could be on the line for each of these two teams.
Nekoosa Papermaker games on WRJC Radio: Week 9 Friday October 17th at Mauston (SmashCountry92.9FM WRJC.com)
Next Preview: Mauston Golden Eagles
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
2025 HS Football Previews – Wautoma Hornets
1 week
2025 Wautoma Hornets
2024 Record: 2-7 (2-5 South Central Conference)
Head Coach: Andy Krueger
Mike’s 2025 Projected Record 4-5 (2-5 South Central Conference)
Players to Watch: QB/DB Peyton Pica RB/LB Skyler Royston OL/LB Jake Smiley OL/DL Alan Jimenez-Cervantes RB/DB Marshal Woyak
Team Preview: Wautoma finished just 2-7 last year but closed out their season stronger. They had a future Division 1 offensive tackle to run behind last year and that road grader is gone. Running to success last year was Skyler Royston (210-1207 12tds) is back to lead the offense. QB Peyton Pica (20-59-0-303 2tds) is also back. Jake Smiley and Alan Jimenez-Cervatnes is back on the offensive line to help path the way for Royston. Smiley and Cervantes are also two of the top returning defenders from last season. Marshal Woyak led the team with 3 interceptions last season is also back to help anchor the defense.
Key to Success: Defense! Wautoma gave up 36 or more points in 2/3 of their games last season. The defense must improve for them to be a plus .500 team this season. Woyak and Pica will have to lead the secondary while Smiley and Jimenez-Cervantes will have to take the next step up front.
Game to watch: Week 3 Friday September 5th Mauston (Home)
Wautoma has a good chance to win both their non-conference games to start the year which would make them going 2-0 into their home game vs Mauston. This game although early in the season could determine a playoff spot for both these young teams.
Wautoma Hornet games on WRJC Radio: Week 3 Friday September 5th Home vs Mauston (SmashCountry92.9FM WRJC.com)
Next Preview: Nekoosa Papermakers
Thanks to Wissports.net for statistics and player information.
2025 HS Football Previews – Waupun Warriors
1 week
2025 Waupun Warriors
2024 Record: 6-4 (4-3 South Central Conference)
Head Coach: Adrian Harmsen
Mike’s 2025 Projected Record 7-2 (6-1 South Central Conference)
Players to Watch: QB Chase Beahm WR/DB Grahm Gopalan WR/DB Logan Prall WR/DB Kaden Del Ponte WR/DB Emmitt Hull WR/LB Wesley Kunz TE/LB Owen Kloosterboer
Team Preview: Waupun enjoyed their first season in the South Central Conference on their way to a playoff berth. Waupun brings back experience and height at its wide receiver position. It should make things easier for quarterback Chase Beahm (127-217-9-1756 20tds) who had a strong season last year. 6-3 Logan Prall (35-717 9tds) and 6-4 Kaden Del Ponte (10-178 3tds) are two big pass catching targets for Beahm. Grahm Gopalan (14-210 0tds) and 6-2 Emmitt Hull (18-146 3tds) is also back creating a deep wide out stable. Both of last year’s leading rushers and a large chunck of the defenders graduated from last year for Waupun. Linebackers Wesley Kunz (41tackles 2sacks) and Owen Kloosterboer (28tackles 2sacks) will have to take on bigger roles this season defensively. The passing game should be strong enough for Waupun to have a strong South Central Conference season in an expected down year for the conference this season.
Key to Success: Balance. Waupun is expected to have a very strong passing game this season but in order to keep team’s off-balance they are going to also find a way to run the ball too. Grahm Gopalan a returning receiver is the leading returning rusher from last year with just 71yards. A ground game would also help keep opposing defenses from pinning their ears back to get to Beahm.
Game to watch: Week 9 Friday October 17th at Wisconsin Dells
I think Berlin is a shoe in to win a South Central Conference Championship. Waupun vs Wisconsin Dells could decide 2nd place. This game could close out the regular season with a bang and maybe give the winner a home playoff game.
Waupun Warrior games on WRJC Radio: Week 8 Friday October 10th at Mauston (SmashCountry92.9FM WRJC.com
Next Preview: Wautoma Hornets
2025 HS Football Previews – Ripon Tigers
2 weeks
Ripon Tigers
2024 Record: 1-8 (1-6 South Central Conference)
Head Coach: Andrew Salgrad (1-8 Record at Ripon)
Mike’s 2025 Projected Record 1-8 (1-6 South Central Conference)
Players to Watch: QB/LB Nathan Hanson RB/LB Eric Cumber WR/LB Dylan Martyna WR/DB Noah Michael OL/DL Jamason Briske
Team Preview: Ripon is still under rebuild mode under the direction of 2nd year head coach Andrew Selgrad. Last year Ripon won just a game against a depleted Mauston team. Ripon lost its leading rusher, receiver and tackler from last year. They do return quarterback Nathan Hanson (36-102-16-484 8tds), with a year of experience the hope is he plays better and helps lead this Ripon team. Eric Cumber (63-522 4tds) is back after leading the team in touchdowns last season. Noah Michaels is the returning leading tackler with 41tackles last year while Jamason Briske is also back after notching a pair of sacks last season. It will be an uphill climb again for Ripon but I believe coach Selgrad will have them eventually going in the right direction in Ripon.
Key to Success: Growth. Coach Selgrad has had success at other schools and is trying to rebuild this Ripon football team. If Ripon can grow on last years’ experience they should be able to build this program and have success hopefully for their sake sooner than later.
Game to watch: Week 6 Friday September 26th at Mauston
Ripon has had just one victory in the last two years and it came last season against Mauston. This will be a battle of two rebuilding teams. Mauston will look for revenge while Ripon will try to knock off Mauston for a 2nd straight season.
Ripon Tiger games on WRJC Radio: Week 6 Friday September 26th at Mauston (SmashCountry92.9FM WRJC.com
Next Preview: Waupun Warriors
