Wisconsin high school football conference previews: Midwest Classic Large

Best Football Team in Each State | 2025 Season 3,539 views 1:09

2025 MIDWEST CLASSIC LARGE CONFERENCE PREVIEW

Predicted Order of Finish
1. Milwaukee Academy of Science (Milwaukee)
2. Racine Lutheran (Racine)
3. Cudahy
4. St. Francis
5. Pius XI Catholic (Milwaukee)
6. Kingdom Prep Lutheran (Wauwatosa)

Players to Watch
Bryce Austin, WR/DB, Racine Lutheran: Austin hauled in 51 passes for 1,055 yards with 11 touchdowns last season, adding 142 yards on the ground. He earned First Team All-Conference on offense and defense.

Eli Gasau, RB/LB, Racine Lutheran: Gasau is a versatile offensive weapon, with a team-high 438 rushing yards last season as well as 29 catches for 451 yards and six scores through the air. He was a First Team All-Conference selection on offense and defense.

Walter Jennings, DL, Milwaukee Academy of Science: Jennings was a First Team All-Conference pick and the league's Defensive Player of the Year last season for the Novas.

Cohen Kraus, QB/DB, Racine Lutheran: Kraus threw for 2,075 yards and 28 touchdowns with 413 yards and eight scores on the ground as well, earning First Team All-Conference on both sides of the ball, including Defensive Player of the Year accolades.

Xavier Skinner, OL, Milwaukee Academy of Science: Skinner took home First Team All-Conference, WFCA All-Region, and league Offensive Lineman of the Year recognition last season.

Carter Wilder, RB, Cudahy: Wilder led the Packers in rushing last season and earned Second Team All-Conference recognition in the process.

2025 Team Previews

1) Milwaukee Academy of Science continued to build its program in 2024, putting together the best season in its young history. The Novas dominated the Midwest Classic-Large and challenged themselves against larger competition in the non-conference, with wins over Madison West and Racine Park. The only regular-season loss was a Week 9 replacement game against a strong Grafton program. The team won a playoff game for the first time ever, and followed it up with a nice win over a traditional power at Darlington. The season would end abruptly in a 39-0 running clock loss to Prairie du Chien the next week, but it was an outstanding year nonetheless for a program that has been around for less than a decade. The Novas have some big-time holes to fill at the skill positions, as 2000-yard rusher Josiah Johnson plus top receivers Brian Stewart, Kameron Williams, and Cameron Gray all graduate, while quarterback Bralyn Albritton transferred out of state. "Our strength as a team will be in the trenches," said head coach Rico Ragsdale. "We return all except one guy on our offensive line and return the entire defensive front. We will be young at the skill positions, though, and will be leaning on the two returning skill guys to take the next step and lead us." Up front, Xavier Skinner is the returning Offensive Lineman of the year in the conference, while Walter Jennings is the returning Defensive Lineman of the Year. Mekhi Malcolm is the most experienced receiver returning, while sophomore Jayson Jefferson could be in line to take over at quarterback. The team returns four starters on offense and six on defense.

2) Racine Lutheran was perhaps the youngest team in the state last year, with just two seniors and four juniors, relying heavily on a big, talented sophomore class. The youthful Crusaders did some nice things, finishing second in the conference and closing the regular season with a five-game winning streak. They'd fall to Brookfield Academy in the first playoff game, however. "We will still be relatively young, with four seniors, but will be much more experienced," said second-year head coach Jeff Kraus. "The skill positions will match up with anyone in the state, but the line is an area of concern. There is a lack of size, but we will return four starters on the offensive line. We do expect to be an improved team overall and should make some noise in the playoffs." A dynamic offensive trio of quarterback Cohen Kraus, running back Eli Gasau, and receiver Bryce Austin (all juniors) will be as good as any in the state. All were First Team All-Conference selections on both offense and defense a year ago. They're part of eight starters that return on both sides of the ball.

3) Cudahy opened with four consecutive wins to begin the 2024 season, but struggled the rest of the way, winning just one of the final five contests. They did qualify for the playoffs for the first time in six years, however, and will look to build on that in 2024. "Cudahy will be returning offensive and defensive starters at key positions," said head coach Quincy LaGrant. "Anthony Brooks will be making the switch from wide receiver to quarterback full-time after starting at QB in the playoffs." Carter Wilder is back after leading the team in rushing last season, earning Second Team All-Conference honors. He's one of four starters returning on offense with six back on defense.

4) St. Francis scored enough wins to get into the playoffs last year, but that was it for the Mariners, who finished 3-7 overall after a blowout playoff loss to Lake Mills. "The Mariners will be very young this season, with only two seniors, and have a lot of inexperience," said head coach Jeff Wallack. There are just two starters returning on both sides of the ball in the team's Wing-T offense and 3-4 defense. Wallack likes the linebacker group, including returning regulars Zamiel Cruz and Garrett Kitzman.

5) Pius XI Catholic ended a ten-year playoff drought last season, qualifying with a 3-4 conference record. The state was short, as the Popes fell to New Berlin West 42-0 in the first playoff game. Still, it is always good to see teams get back on track and have success. Makal Burgess and Carter Wood each saw time at quarterback last season and return this year.