Wisconsin high school football conference previews: North Eastern

Best Football Team in Each State | 2025 Season 11,813 views 1:09

2025 NORTH EASTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW

Predicted Order of Finish
1. Freedom
2. Wrightstown
3. Little Chute
4. Luxemburg-Casco (Luxemburg)
5. Two Rivers
6. Sheboygan Falls
7. Denmark

Players to Watch
Quinn Brennenstuhl, WR/DB, Freedom: Brennenstuhl led the team with 51 receptions, accounting for 649 yards and four touchdowns. He was also a key player in the secondary with four interceptions.

Daniel Buntin, FB/LB, Wrightstown: Buntin earned First Team All-Conference as a fullback and linebacker, adding Second Team recognition as a kicker.

Noah Faccio, OL/DL, Little Chute: Faccio earned unanimous First Team All-Conference as an offensive lineman and added First Team laurels on defense as well.

Nixon Heinke, RB/LB, Freedom: Heinke is the top returning rusher for the Irish and a two-way Second Team All-Conference recognition.

Max Matthias, RB/LB, Two Rivers: Matthias is a three-time First Team All-Conference pick on defense with 408 tackles in his career already, with an outside shot to push into the top spot on the state's career tackle list.

Noah Shillcox, QB, Two Rivers: Shillcox threw for 1,180 yards and 14 touchdowns as a Second Team All-Conference pick last year.

2025 Team Previews

1) Freedom put together an extremely strong 2024 campaign, winning the North Eastern Conference championship and racing through the regular season undefeated. The Irish advanced to the sectional championship, where they'd fall to Baldwin-Woodville, capping off an 11-1 season. Third-year coach Charlie Jadin brings back 13 letterwinners as the team tries to continue the success, including four starters returning on offense and three on defense. "We'll be a young team, graduating 15 starters, including four offensive linemen and our quarterback," said Jadin. "We do have some returning playmakers and great leaders." Nixon Heinke is the top returning rusher for the Irish, while Nolan Phillips, Quinn Brennenstuhl, and Corey Mathison are experienced pass-catchers. All are expected to be top players on the defensive side of the ball as well.

2) Wrightstown dropped a tough 28-24 decision to Freedom, finishing second in the North Eastern Conference. It was the only loss of the regular season for the Tigers, who took advantage of home field in the playoffs to advance all the way to the state title game, where they'd drop a 21-6 ballgame to Stratford in the Division 5 championship. It was a senior-dominated group for longtime head coach Steve Klister, who sports a 215-69 career record. While 19 letterwinners return this season, just two starters are back on both sides of the ball. The top player is senior Daniel Buntin, who was a First Team All-Conference pick as a fullback and linebacker and also served as the team's kicker last season.

3) Little Chute went 6-3 in the regular season, with competitive losses to deep playoff finishes of Freedom, Winneconne, and Wrightstown. The Mustangs got a road game in the playoffs, falling to Xavier 21-14. Ted Evers stepped aside in the off-season, though he'll remain on staff for new head coach Mark Krommenacker, who comes over from Appleton East after a previous stint at Rib Lake/Prentice. "We will try to build on the great tradition of Little Chute Football and try to pour even more gasoline on the fire," said Krommenacker. "We have some talented skill position players. Our defense was very good last year, and we look to continue that success this year. We have some offensive linemen who can play both ways and show great toughness. We can really spread the field this year with all the quality receivers we have. Our focus this off-season is consistent, intentional work in the weight room and on the field. We want to be physical in everything we do, from training to practice to game day." Quarterback Casey Perz and receiver Cooper Effa are returning on offense for the team's new option attack, while Noah Faccio is a standout on both sides of the ball. The team welcomes the return of 25 letterwinners, with four starters back on offense and defense.

4) Luxemburg-Casco advanced to the Division 4 state championship in 2023, but took a bit of a step back last year with a relatively inexperienced roster, finishing 5-5 overall after a Level 1 playoff loss to Plymouth. The Spartans will look to get back on track in 2025, though it'll be another new group of faces stepping into big roles, as many of last year's top players have moved on. Brayden Loritz was the second-leading rusher a year ago and even threw the ball a decent amount, while Myles Jandrin is a standout up front.

5) Two Rivers had a rough introduction in its first season as a member of the North Eastern Conference, winning just one league game and finishing 1-8 overall. The team will be more experienced this season, bringing back many of last season's top playmakers. Noah Shillcox returns at quarterback, throwing for 1,180 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Derek Klinker is back after leading the team in receiving. Max Matthias is a man, however, rushing for 813 yards and four touchdowns last year while recording 120 tackles on defense. He has an outside chance to break the state's career tackles record this fall.

6) Sheboygan Falls struggled to get things going last year, with a 21-20 decision over Two Rivers the only win for the Falcons. "We will be very young, with only four seniors returning, but we do have a wealth of experience from last year," explained head coach Chris Zablocki, who welcomes back 19 letterwinners. "Although our senior class will be small, our other classes are large and will make an impact right away." The team returns four starters on offense, including leading rusher Mason Richter. There are five starters returning on the defensive side of the ball.