New Holstein tabbed as team to beat after a second-place finish in the league in 2024.
2025 EASTERN WISCONSIN CONFERENCE PREVIEWPredicted Order of Finish1. New Holstein
2. Roncalli (Manitowoc)
3. Brillion
4. Kohler/Sheboygan Lutheran/Christian (Sheboygan)
5. Kiel
6. Chilton
7. Valders
8. St. Mary Catholic (Neenah)Players to Watch
Donovan Cowley, WR, Roncalli: Cowley caught 44 passes for 582 yards and five touchdowns to earn First Team All-Conference recognition last year.
Landon Floyd, QB, New Holstein: Floyd was a Second Team All-Conference selection last year in the team's pistol Wing-T offense, throwing for 1,006 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Aiden Oldenhoff, QB, Kohler/Sheboygan Lutheran/Christian: Oldenhoff missed last year with an injury but will take over at quarterback, a spot that has put up some big numbers in the past in the team's Air Raid offense.
Mason Schaefer, RB, Kiel: Schaefer got experience in the backfield last year and is the top returning rusher for the Raiders.
Weston Schmidt, RB, Brillion: Schmidt was an Honorable Mention All-Conference selection and the top returning rusher from last year for Brillion.
2025 Team Previews1. New Holstein tied for second in the Eastern Wisconsin Conference last year, as the Huskies qualified for the playoffs but would go out to Southern Door in Level 1. "We have a lot of pieces returning from a team that finished second in the conference last season," said veteran head coach Matt Rupp. "Our offensive line is a strength. We return four starters – Joseph Abrams, Griffin Abler, Garet Feider, and Sam Thome- and all of them have earned all-conference recognition in previous seasons. We also return our starting quarterback, Landon Floyd, who set our school record with 15 touchdown passes last season. He will be throwing to Ely Kohlman, who is one of the fastest wide receivers in the conference. The one question mark is our running backs. We only return one player with experience – James Conrad. He split time at fullback last season. On the defensive side of the ball, we are returning eight starters. We have lots of depth in the defensive line – anchored by Logan Muellenbach at defensive tackle."
2. Roncalli dropped two of the first three conference games last year, but rallied to win four straight, finishing the regular season 7-2 overall. The Jets got a home playoff game, but unfortunately went out against Shiocton. It was nonetheless quite a turnaround from the Jets, who did not win a game in the 2023 regular season. Head coach Paul Kinsella returns 20 letterwinners this year, including five starters on offense and seven on defense. "We are looking to continue on a strong 2024 season," said Kinsella. "We have a lot of experience returning, but some very key roles to replace." Receiver Donovan Cowley and tight end Kannon Kinsella each earned First Team All-Conference and WFCA All-Region recognition as juniors last year.
3. Brillion lost three of the final four games of the regular season, though all were competitive contests. The Lions were able to sneak into the playoffs, but fell 35-0 to Kewaunee in the first postseason game. "Brillion returns a number of starters on both sides of the ball with many players having experience on varsity last season," said head coach Tanner Behnke, a 2012 graduate of the school. The team has a trio of experienced rushers returning this year in Weston Schmidt, Heath Cousin, and Hayden Cousin. They're part of a group that returns ten starters on offense, while the defensive unit has eight starters back. There are a total of 21 letterwinners back for Brillion.
4. Kohler/Sheboygan Lutheran/Christian went just 3-6 during the regular season, suffering a number of close losses early in the season. The team still managed to sneak into the playoffs, going out to Winneconne in Level 1. The team brings back 22 letterwinners, including five starters on offense and six on defense. After suffering a shoulder injury that limited him last year, Aiden Oldenhoff will take over at quarterback, which allows Carmine Moctezuma to switch from quarterback to wide receiver. Carter Zimmerman is another talented pass-catcher returning this year, with more than 600 yards in 2024. "Our offensive line is solid, but we have very limited depth," said second-year coach Corey Girdaukas.
5. Kiel was unbeaten during the regular season, including an Eastern Wisconsin Conference championship. The Raiders advanced to the sectional championship but fell in a tough 21-20 game to Wrightstown. "We are a young group that will need to learn how to win," said head coach David Esswein, who must replace every starter on offense and two on defense, with just eight letterwinners back. "Anytime you lose a big group of seniors, there is an adjustment, but it's all about maintaining the standards within our program and continuing to work hard together. We have had a good offseason with our strength and speed program, and have had many athletes emerge athletically." Running back Mason Schaefer and lineman Jeremiah Funkhouser should be key players on offense for the Raiders.
6. Chilton dropped three in a row to begin the year and four to close things out, finishing outside of the playoffs for a second consecutive year. "This year we should have consistent depth that does not drop off," said head coach Mike Arendt. "We have about 15 seniors returning, along with 20 juniors that complement each other very well." The team has quite a few production holes to fill, with just three starters back on offense and defense.
7. Valders improved last year, finding a way to sneak into the playoffs despite a 3-6 record during the regular season. They fell 21-14 to Cedar Grove-Belgium in the first playoff game, the first regular postseason appearance for the team since 2018. The Vikings return starting quarterback Carter Valleskey, who threw for 1,236 yards and 12 touchdowns a year ago.
8. St. Mary Catholic moved into Eastern Wisconsin from the Trailways, and it was a rough introduction for the Zephyrs, who did not win a conference game and finished just 1-8 overall. Rob Detterman takes over as head coach this year, replacing Josh Young. "We will be a young, but experienced team that is hungry for success," said Detterman. "We are expecting really good numbers with roughly 60 players on the team in grades 9-12, and some strong leadership from our senior class." The Zephyrs return seven starters on offense and eight on defense as they look to move up the standings.
