RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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High school football has officially returned in the state of Wisconsin. The 2026 regular season got going this weekend and a majority of the top programs in the state held serve, beginning their respective marches toward state titles. There were some notable losses, too.
Six of the preseason top 10 teams in the Badger State — according to the Massey Ratings — opened their seasons with a victory. Two of the four that fell included preseason No. 4 Waunakee and No. 5 Mukwonago . The former dropped a 24-7 contest against No. 2 Muskego in one of the state’s biggest season-openers.
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Rivals takes a look at the updated top 25 rankings for Wisconsin high school football now that a majority of the state has shaken off the rust and gotten a game under their belt. The Massey Ratings , officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.
1. Arrowhead Warhawks (1-0)
The preseason No. 1 team in the state began its state title defense with a resounding 35-7 home win over Marquette University . Senior quarterback Nolan Hanson , a Drake commit, threw three touchdowns in the victory. The Warhawks have made more state title appearances (14) than any other school in Wisconsin and a return to Camp Randall will certainly be in play this fall. Arrowhead hits the road for its next two games, going to Neenah this coming Friday, then No. 25 Catholic Memorial on Sept. 3.
2. Muskego Warriors (1-0)
Muskego is coming off an 11-win campaign in 2025 and it made a statement on Friday night, defeating preseason No. 4 Waunakee 24-7 at home. Longtime head coach Ken Krause retired at the end of last season and the Warriors began the Ryan Luchessi era with a bang. Muskego has won at least nine games nine seasons in a row. It now heads to Oak Creek this week.
3. Bay Port Pirates (1-0)
Bay Port’s 2025 state title bid ended with a crushing defeat to Arrowhead last November. The Pirates are back in the hunt at the top of the state rankings to enter this season and they went on the road and pounded Middleton 56-15 to begin the year 1-0. They now gear up for a pair of ranked tilts, first against No. 11 Kimberly at home this week, then vs. No. 24 Pulaski . The Massey Ratings predict a pair of victories for Bay Port.
4. Hamilton Chargers (1-0)
Hamilton defeated Kimberly on two occasions last season and it has now opened the 2026 campaign with an impressive 27-12 road victory over the Papermakers. Led in the trenches by senior O-linemen Hunter and Reece Mallinger , both of whom are committed to Wisconsin, the Chargers will be a tough out this fall. The early-season challenges will keep coming, though, as they now host No. 14 Case and No. 10 Oconomowoc in back-to-back weeks.
5. West De Pere Phantoms (1-0)
In one of the best passing performances of the week, West De Pere junior QB Andrew Greisen hurled for 385 yards and five touchdowns in a 42-20 road win over Sun Prairie East . Greisen’s older brother, Patrick, is the all-time passing touchdown record holder in Wisconsin HSFB. The Phantoms went undefeated and won a DII state title last season. They now prepare for a top-10 clash at home against No. 7 Appleton North next week.
Wisconsin High School Football Rankings: Nos. 6-25
6. Homestead Highlanders (1-0) 7. Appleton North Lightning (1-0) 8. Waunakee Warriors (0-1) 9. Notre Dame De La Baie Academy Tritons (1-0) 10. Oconomowoc Racoons (1-0)
11. Kimberly Papermakers (0-1) 12. Stevens Point Area Sr. Panthers (1-0) 13. New Richmond Tigers (1-0) 14. Case Eagles (1-0) 15. Hudson Raiders (1-0)
16. Mukwonago Indians (0-1) 17. Chippewa Falls Cardinals (1-0) 18. Fond Du Lac Cardinals (1-0) 19. Marquette University Hilltoppers (0-1) 20. Monona Grove Silver Eagles (1-0)
21. Verona Area Wildcats (1-0) 22. Kaukauna Galloping Ghosts (1-0) 23. De Pere Redbirds (1-0) 24. Pulaski Red Raiders (1-0) 25. Catholic Memorial Crusaders (1-0)
How to Follow Wisconsin High School Football
For Wisconsin high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard . This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Badger State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of Wisconsin.
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