Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net

Special to WSN from Rick Dedrick & Jason McGillivray of Wisconsinhighschoollax

In the transition to becoming a WIAA sponsored sport there are a lot of conference changes. Beginning this season the Badger Conference, formerly known as “Big Badger”, stays with the core schools. The other four Big 8 schools will not be part of the Badger Conference in 2024. Middleton, Sun Prairie, and Verona are considered Independents and Janesville (combined), sadly, was not approved as a school sponsored sport.

Waunakee
Last Year: 18-2
Results: WLF Runner-up Champion
Head Coach: John Gengler

Last year’s Warrior team ran through the regular season, stacking up 16 wins and their only loss to Hudson.  They were never seriously challenged in the postseason until they met up again with Hudson in the WLF Championship game.  Looking at this upcoming season, the Warriors only lost four to graduation and bring back some of the best talent in the state.  Now with 15 seniors and a dynamic attack line of Carter Blackburn, Gunner McFadden, and Charlie King, this year the Warriors are going to be one of the favorites to win the first-ever WIAA State Title.  While having one of the best offenses in the state, their defense is led by Nate Sampson and Wade Bryan.  Both play at a high level and can quickly turn back the opposing team.  Nate Olsen in goal, Big Badger second team all-conference, is also back. 

DeForest
Last Year: 8-11
Results: Lost Round 2 of WLF Playoffs
Head Coach: Kody Sutton

DeForest is a young team that is looking to prove that they can be a top team in the Badger Conference.  Last year they had several key contributors that were underclassmen.  Owen Larson (Goalie, 2025), Carson Volenberg (A, 2025), Taryn Callaway (A, 2025), and Gavin Vandervelde (D, 2025) will provide balance on this young team.  Add in Jake Larkosh (D, 2024) and you have the potential to surprise some teams on the schedule.  As Waunakee is the favorite in the conference, DeForest is looking to be competitive in the top half.

Edgewood Co-op
Last Year: 12-4
Results: Lost Round 3 of WLF Playoffs
Head Coach: Mike Reiter

2023 was a breakout season for Edgewood (Westside).  There were several big wins along the way, but they couldn’t get past Waunakee losing to the WFL Runner-up in Round 3.  There was a lot of success to build on, but with the loss of 14 to graduation, the 2024 season is looking to be a new challenge.  In spite of losing 58% of their offensive scoring, they still have Brayden Schmidt returning looking to improve on his 2.6 goals/gm.  Cam Lockton (M, 2025) and Dylan Lenz (M, 2025) will see their role increase.  But the biggest hole to fill will be at goalie.  Gavin Hefty was dominant for Edgewood last year, now senior Trent Nelson will be the primary starter in goal.

Oregon Co-op
Last Year: 16-4
Results: Semi-final loss 
Head Coach: 

The 2022 WLF Champs had a deep run last season, ultimately losing in the semi-finals to Waunakee.  The deep senior class, 16 graduated from last year’s team, Oregon also has a new face at head coach.  Tim Frances is now leading the high school program.  Not many teams will have more to replace than the Panthers.  Their outgoing class contributed 64% of the scoring.  Defensively isn’t any better.  The two positions that the Panthers have locked in are with Logan Leatherberry (goalie) and Israel Mikkelson (M/FOS).  Both can dominate at their respective positions and will be critical in this season.  On the bright side, Oregon has nine seniors this season and a deep program to draw from.  There’s just a lot of unknowns going into this season.

Sauk Prairie Co-op
Last Year: 6-12
Results: 2nd round loss to Oregon 
Head Coach: Dylan Baier

Another team that is faced with replacing a large graduating class.  Sauk Prairie has key roles to fill, but many of this year’s sophomore class has a lot of experience to rely on.  Offensively the Eagles look for Zander Kellogg (A/2026) and Will Judge (M/2024) to fill the void.  Luke Herrling (M/FOS/2025) is an all-around contributor and can impact anywhere on the field.  A big uncertainty will be to find a replacement at goalie.  The only returning players have a collective 12 minutes playing in goal last season.

Watertown
Last Year: 0-0
Results: did not play 
Head Coach: ?

Watertown has been absent from fielding a team the last few seasons.  The sport has been in the community for many years, but the Goslings are unknown going into this season.