2025 FLYWAY CONFERENCE PREVIEW
Predicted Order of Finish1. St. Mary's Springs (Fond du Lac)
2. Mayville
3. Winnebago Lutheran Academy (Fond du Lac)
4. Lomira
5. Campbellsport
6. Laconia (Rosendale)
7. Omro
8. North Fond du Lac
Players to WatchLanden Baker, RB, Mayville: Baker is the top returning rusher for Mayville, going for 474 yards last season.
Jack Rens, RB/DB, Laconia: Rens was a First Team All-Conference pick on offense last year after rushing for more than 1000 yards. He also had three interceptions on defense and was a Second-Team all-league pick.
Gannan Schwartz, QB, Winnebago Lutheran: Schwartz is the top athlete in the league, throwing for 553 yards, rushing for 543, and returning three kickoffs for touchdowns, racking up more than 700 total return yards.
Owen Steger, DL/OL, Mayville: Steger earned unanimous First Team All-Conference recognition last season for the Cardinals.
Will Stellmacher, RB, St. Mary's Springs: Stellmacher earned Second Team All-Conference last year after leading the Ledgers in rushing.
Kolton Wagoner, LB, Lomira: Wagoner is one of just three returning starters for the defending Division 6 state champs, earning Second Team All-Conference recognition at linebacker.
2025 Team Previews1. St. Mary's Springs says goodbye to a legend, as the state's all-time winningest coach, Bob Hyland, retired in the off-season, with Zach Wilderman taking over the program. Hyland had 522 wins and 17 state titles (9 WIAA, 8 WISAA) in his illustrious career, which ended with a shocking 21-20 loss to Winnebago Lutheran in the first playoff game, after the Ledgers took down the Vikings 37-7 just a week earlier. Springs was part of a three-way tie atop the Flyway standings last season, falling to eventual D6 champion Lomira but defeating Mayville among the trio that shared the crown. "We have a good overall experience returning," said new head man Zach Wilderman. "Defensively, we will be young up in the front seven, but very experienced in the backend. Offensively, we will return some quality line play along with multiple skill positions. We will be looking to replace our previous quarterback." There are 27 returning letterwinners this season, including seven starters back on offense and eight on defense.
2. Mayville rattled off seven consecutive wins to open the 2024 season, facing a tough last two weeks. They'd fall to Saint Mary's Springs in Week 8, but rebounded to defeat eventual D6 state champ Lomira the following week to force a three-way tie for the league crown. Elevated to Division 4 once again by the WIAA's Tournament Performance Factor, the Cardinals advanced to a sectional final, falling to Winneconne. Head coach Scott Hilber has a group that should challenge at the top once again, with the strength up front. "We have great line depth," said Hilber. "Two-platooning our line is viable, as we will have a lot of opportunities for people to play because they have the talent to play. On offense, we return four individuals who have started multiple games on the line, and defensively, we return five guys who have started multiple games up front." While the team is strong up front, they do have to replace most of the production at the offensive skill positions, except for Landen Baker. "I do like the explosiveness of our new athletes, and some of them have significant time on defense; we just have to find what's best for the team." Owen Steger is one of the best linemen in the league and a returning unanimous First Team All-Conference pick on defense.
3. Winnebago Lutheran dropped four of its first-time games against a challenging schedule, and a 37-7 loss to Saint Mary's Springs in Week 9 left the team sweating out tiebreakers just to get into the playoffs. However, in a shocker, the Vikings rallied to defeat Springs just a week later in Level 1 of the postseason before going out against Lake Country Lutheran the following week. With the most experience returning in the conference, the Vikings are a good bet to make a move up the standings in 2025. Head coach Kevin Loehr returns nine starters on offense and ten on defense, including dynamic athlete Gannan Schwartz, who threw for 553 yards, ran for 5443 yards, and returned three kickoffs for touchdowns. Frankie Wiedmeyer and Spencer Loehr are key returnees on the defensive side of the ball.
4. Lomira put together the season of a lifetime in 2024, finishing 7-2 in the regular season with close losses to Edgerton and Mayville, but taking down Saint Mary's Springs to help secure a share of the Flyway Conference title. The Lions had never even been to a state semi-final previously, but after putting a running clock on Belleville, the team qualified for the state finals in Division 6. Facing off against fellow first-time finalist Grantsburg, Lomira trailed early but held a two-score lead in the fourth quarter, holding on for a 26-19 victory behind 216 rushing yards and three touchdowns by running back Taylor Schaumberg. It was a senior-dominated group that will bring back just eight letterwinners this season, including only one starter on offense and two on defense. "Overall, we bring in a lot of newcomers to the varsity level who are excited to step into bigger roles and prove they belong in the conversation in the tough Flyway Conference," said head coach Bryan Gregory. "The group saw first-hand what it takes to win at a high level last season and has put in the work this offseason to be ready to go to start the season. I like the group we have this year and think they are going to get better and better as the year goes on, as they gain valuable experience."
5. Campbellsport was a distant fourth in the Flyway last year, but the Cougars had competitive games with all three of the teams that shared the league title. They'd qualify for the playoffs, but go out against Berlin in Level 1. Head coach Todd Wondra brings back 15 letterwinners this season, with five starters returning on offense and five on defense. "The skill players returning have good experience, but we need to replace size and experience on the offensive line," said Wondra.
6. Laconia won both non-conference games over Ripon and Markesan to open the 2024 season, but dropped five straight before winning the final two conference games of the year, finishing 4-5 overall and out of the playoff chase. The Spartans have 17 returning letterwinners this fall, including three on offense and four on defense. Jack Rens is one of the top players in the league, rushing for more than 1000 yards as a First Team All-Conference choice and earning Second Team on defense. Quarterback Drake Nitz is also among the returning players for head coach Joe Leadley, who also likes the kicking game with Ethan Van Beek, who made field goals of 45 and 51 yards last fall.
7. Omro finished the 2024 season 1-8, with a 40-6 win over North Fond du Lac, the only left side decision for the Foxes. Second-year coach Eric Doll brings back five starters on both sides of the ball this year as the team looks to become more competitive. "We return most of our skill position players on offense and have good skill position players moving up as well," said Doll. "We have less experience on the offensive line, as we had four of five starters graduate, though we have a good group coming up. Overall, we have a good group of athletes coming back and are looking to make big strides in 2025."
8. North Fond du Lac opened with a 26-25 win over Dominican, but it would be the only victory for the Orioles, who did forfeit in the conference opener against Campbellsport. "We return a few offensive linemen with a lot of varsity experience, and this will be the biggest team North Fond du Lac has had in more than six years," said third-year coach Taylan Ybarra. The Orioles return 23 letterwinners this fall, led by six starters back on both sides of the ball.
