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This isn't based off extensive research, just my basic knowledge of program strength and returning players. Things will be a lot different, as Bloomer lost nearly all their starters, Cumberland lost some stud athletes, and Spooner returns a program with a ton of players, but seem relatively unproven as a lot of their seniors last year did a lot.

1. Barron - Best qb in the conference, with some weapons.
2. Spooner -Have depth, and their head coach has built the program up the last few years.
3. Bloomer - program strength, and always have good number.
4. Cumberland - 2nd best qb returning, but don't know what he has surrounding him.
5. Northwestern - Always have numbers and good staff.
6. Ladysmith - 3 good backs returning, a new coaching staff, and a young qb with a solid arm coming up. They seriously lack numbers though and their program is definitely going south with a huge lack of commitment.
7. Hayward - never fail to produce numbers in their program, but their dang offense is never going to get them over the hump. They need to switch up that wishbone to fit the athletes in their program. The biggest school in the conference and yet they have been near the bottom the last few years. Adjustment = good coaching which I think they have been lacking.
8. Chetek - They will show improvement and could surprise some people.

I could be very wrong about these, particularly picking Spooner so high, but adjustments can be made once a few games are played.

1. Bloomer
2. Northwestern
3. Spooner
4. Barron
5. Hayward
6. Cumberland
7. Ladysmith
8. Chetek

I don't know enough about what teams have returning to do any serious picks. Honestly, I'm kind of surprised that pretty much everyone has picked Bloomer at the top. I expect them to have a good team, but they have a long way to go at this point of the season. The question for Bloomer is how quickly the young guys figure it out and get used to the speed on the varsity level. They open against Somerset, so that will be a good test. They'll have to figure it out quickly if they want to have a chance in that game, as Somerset should have a really solid team. Basically, Bloomer has a lot of potential this year with a lot of good athletes, but they'll be extremely young and unproven. I could see them being a lot like 2 years ago (the '10-'11 season, my senior year for those of you that remember me playing).

I'm assuming you're from Somerset? That was a really fun game (not just because we won, either). If it makes you feel better, you guys beat us in the playoffs my junior year. I remember that one pretty well...

I just don't see how you can choose Barron to win the league over very physical teams like Spooner, Bloomer, and Northwestern. Barron is not known for playing well against teams like that. I just don't see it happening.

It's a prediction. Pre = before, while diction = choice of words. I'm assuming he thought that Barron had a more succesful season last season and return some athletes that can get the job done. Didn't Barron pass all over Northwestern last year, and score like 40 + points or something? Bloomer and Northwestern are always physical yes, but Bloomer is losing 9 defensive starters like that or something. It's a tentative conclusion, and that's why the games are played. Two weeks of games can change opinions and the way seasons go.

Also, I remember my friends who are seniors this year tell me that Barron's senior class this year has just dominated in sports over the past. There is always years where this happens. Last year it happened to be Bloomer. This year is up for grabs, but Barron seems like a logical pick considering the athletes returning.

You can not compare last year's Bloomer team to this years Barron team. Bloomer was consistently in the playoffs even when last years seniors were young! They were dominant, this grade may be dominant; but for Barron's standards; not comparable to Bloomer. Also Barron's offense is not built for football seasons in wisconsin's weather. You have to win games late in the year to be a conference champ, October and on the weather gets bad. IMO thats why you see teams who pass less go deep in the playoffs. For example, the last week in the regular season, Bloomer vs. Spooner had terrible weather. Spooners a team that doesn't pass as nearly as much as Barron and they struggled because of the conditions and that was a game for conference. SCC; a predominantly passing team vs. Somerset in level 3. Not good passing conditions and got shut out (not taking away from Somerset). Somerset played great defense and destroyed central. Remember this is just what i think and I'm trying to spark a good debate, i did not say this to tear a team or town down. Just speaking my mind!

I agree that Somerset, and Bloomer were the two best teams in d4 last year, Bloomer being one of the smallest too (enrollment). Bloomer should have been playing state if it wasn't for some freak plays that happened in the level 4 game.
Then I thought Somerset was going to lose by a lot at state. They actually had the State-Championship in their hands when they subsequently lost in OT. I firmly believe Bloomer would have held their own in that game with more senior leadership to put it away. This is obviously all what-ifs and speculations.

About Barron though, they do have no depth. If no one gets hurt though they can compete near the top with the teams that are always deep. Teams that make it to state will almost always be dominate run teams. Their are a few exceptions at times. Look at Kewaunee a couple years back. Well they were extremely balanced. I remember my Junior year when Ladysmith passed for 350+ yards against Bloomer, and still lost because Bloomer had a very physical run team which set up some great play action passes. I can't remember the QB's name, but he was pretty good too . Then the next week, Ladysmith put up anotehr 300+ passing performance and still lost to the physical NW Tigers. Despite elements in the end the of the season, the better team usually wins in the grind.
That's why I like the 3 games in 10 days before they changed it. As a fan, you get to spectate a plethora of the best games of the year. As a player and teammate you get to be a part of true grind-it-out teams that only win if they're the best. That way you get a full 9 regular season games, instead of 8. I think taking away a game a year is a huge downfall to the players who only have one chance to play HS football.

I agree with what you said there except the leadership thing about Somerset and Bloomer. Somersets leaders are the one who made those freak plays to end Bloomers season, the senior leadership is the reason they went that far and i don't think that was the determining factor in the loss as I'm sure there are many theories to why they did lose. Im not saying Bloomer's leaders were less or worse but I'm saying they were equally good. Those two teams were phenomenal and i also believe if Bloomer went, they would have won state; the same way Somerset should have.

Barron: And those examples you used are just backing up my theory that predominantly run teams win games when it is close, later in the year, and playoffs. Its whether you are one dimensional or not. Kewaunee was head and shoulders above teams that year and didn't matter what they did. Im talking about Barron and other teams who aren't Kewaunee type programs. If they allow teams to control the ball in games and only give opposing d-coordinators one thing to key in on then its going to be a long season and you might have to struggle to get into the playoffs rather than win conference.

Northwestern is back!

If I recall didn't they lose Alexson and Antilla? I know they return some of their fullbacks but otherwise I don't know how much they return. Enlighten me?

Also how did some of the scrimmages go that HON teams participated in?

Somerset at Bloomer tomorrow night.....who ya got? Will Bloomer go down in flames or rise to the occasion?