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2023 Recap:  Pepin/Alma dominated the Dairyland Conference once again, going unbeaten during the regular season. There was a three-way tie atop the standings between Blair-Taylor, Cochrane-Fountain City, and Melrose-Mindoro. 

2023 Season Information (Standings, Stats, All-Conference)

2024 Preview:

Predicted Order of Finish:

1) Pepin/Alma
2) Cochrane-Fountain City
3) Blair-Taylor
4) Eleva-Strum
5) Whitehall
6) Melrose-Mindoro
7) Augusta
8) Independence/Gilmanton

Players to Watch:

Breckin Hullopeter, OL, Pepin/Alma: Hullopeter was a First Team All-Conference pick as just a sophomore last season.

C.J. Johnston, RB, Whitehall: Johnston was part of a strong backfield group, rushing for 730 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 12.2 yards per attempt.

Ethan Kniseley, WR, Blair-Taylor: Kniseley led the Wildcats with 537 receiving yards and added 465 rushing yards as well, scoring six touchdowns.

Sam Schmitt, OL/DL, Cochrane-Fountain City: Schmitt is the top lineman in the conference, earning First Team All-Conference recognition on both sides of the ball in 2023.

Tavian Shramek, QB, Blair-Taylor: Shramek threw for 1,233 yards with 10 touchdowns last year and also led the team with 898 rushing yards, adding 11 scores on the ground.

Mason Westberg, TE, Pepin/Alma: Westberg is a returning First Team All-Conference tight end for the Eagles and the only returning skill player back for head coach Mike Olson.

2024 Team Previews

1) Pepin/Alma had one of the most dominating regular seasons in the state, going unbeaten with all but one game (46-28 win over Elmwood/Plum City to open the year) ending in a running clock. The playoffs proved to be a different story, as the Eagles faced a very good Bangor team in Level 2, losing 28-13. "We lost an excellent senior class that led our team to back-to-back conference titles and a 21-2 record for the last two years," said veteran coach Mike Olson, who is closing in on 200 career wins, now just 22 away. "We lose our entire backfield and all but one lineman." There's a nice junior group coming up that features 17 players to bolster the other returning seniors. Still, just two starters are back on offense and only three on defense.

2) Cochrane-Fountain City was part of a three-way tie for second in the Dairyland Conference last season, and the Pirates were able to go on the road in Level 1 of the playoffs to score their first postseason victory since 2012, taking down New Lisbon 14-8. They'd go out to Cashton the following week, but it was a nice step forward for the squad. "The defense should lead the way with a lot of experience returning," said head coach Jesse Cyrus. "Our defense took huge strides last year, but that side of the ball should be our strength all year. The offense will have to fill some very important positions, but our entire starting offensive line will return so that will help the inexperienced players who are stepping into new positions." Reed Schmidtknecht, Grayden Barum, Tye Popp, and Aiden Lisowski are among the skill players who have experience coming back.

3) Blair-Taylor dropped the first three games of the season, but won five of six to close the year. The Wildcats fell to Cashton in the first game of the playoffs. With eight starters back on offense and seven on defense, they should be able to push Pepin/Alma at the top of the league. Quarterback Tavian Shramek is back after accounting for more than 2100 yards of offense, while versatile offensive weapon Ethan Kniseley also returns after leading the team in receiving with another 465 yards on the ground.

4) Eleva-Strum went 4-5 last year, including 3-4 in the conference, but the Cardinals missed out on the playoffs via tiebreaker. There are 20 upperclassmen back this season as the team tries to push towards the top of the standings. Four of five offensive linemen are returning, though there’s some replacements to be made in the backfield. Quarterback Brennan Hanner returns and there should be some nice options to carry the ball this year.

5) Whitehall was well off the pace in the Dairyland Conference last season, going 2-7 overall and 2-5 in the league. There’s a young group of offensive playmakers returning, as C.J. Johnston, Bo Killian, and Mason Pientok combined for more than 1800 yards on the ground.

6) Melrose-Mindoro ended the regular season winning four of five games to qualify for the playoffs. Unfortunately, the Mustangs got Pepin/Alma in the first playoff game and fell to the Eagles for a second time on the year. The team relied heavily on quarterback Braydon Lockington and 1200-yard rusher Jackson Blaken last year, and with their graduation, there are some holes to fill in the primary skill positions.

7) Augusta managed just one victory in 2023, a narrow 18-16 decision over Independence/Gilmanton. “We should have some improvement from last year,” said head coach Derek Boldt. “Nearly all of the kids had their first exposure to varsity play last year, even if they were seniors.” The Beavers return six starters on both sides of the ball this year. “We will have some good speed to work with this year and will find ways to get kids in space. If we really commit to the weight room as a collective group I think we will surprise some folks.”

8) Independence/Gilmanton did not win a game last season as they have not tasted victory since August of 2022. The Indees brings back starting sophomore quarterback Chase Back as well as leading rusher Nathan Pyka.

Travis Wilson serves as the WisSports.net General Manager, Football Editor, and contributing writer for other parts of the site. Wilson was selected as part of the Sports 40 Under 40 list by Coach & AD Magazine and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association for 2019. The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) named Travis the 2015 recipient of the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award. He currently serves on the WFCA Executive Board and is a member of the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. A graduate of Richland Center High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Travis was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball, basketball), inducted to the Richland Center High School Hall of Fame in 2023, and currently resides in Reedsburg. You can follow him on Twitter at @travisWSN.

For the latest and most up to date football news and recruiting information, follow Travis on Twitter @travisWSN. Email story ideas, recruiting info, etc. to Travis at travis(at)wissports.net.