2025 BIG EAST CONFERENCE PREVIEW
Predicted Order of Finish1. Cedar Grove-Belgium (Cedar Grove)
2. Manitowoc Lutheran (Manitowoc)
3. Oostburg
4. Reedsville
5. Howards Grove
6. Hilbert
7. Random Lake/Ozaukee (Random Lake)Players to WatchDeegan Bubolz, RB, Reedsville: Bubolz led the Panthers in rushing a year ago with 683 yards, earning Honorable Mention All-Conference recognition.
Ira Hilbelink, RB, Cedar Grove-Belgium: Hilbelink ran for 1,450 yards and 17 touchdowns to lead the conference, earning Offensive Player of the Year honors in the Big East.
Griffin Knight, WR, Cedar Grove-Belgium: Knight was a big-play threat last year with 38 catches for 806 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 21 yards per reception.
Jaymen Ott, QB, Manitowoc Lutheran: Ott completed 1,231 yards and 11 touchdowns as a Second Team All-Conference selection last season.
Jack Pakala, RB, Hilbert: Pakala was a First Team All-Conference choice, rushing for more than 1000 yards last season for the Wolves.
Carter Schmitz, QB, Cedar Grove-Belgium: Schmitz threw for 1,731 yards and 24 touchdowns as a First Team All-Conference selection last year.
2025 Team Previews1. Cedar Grove-Belgium was the clear top team in the Big East last season, going a perfect 7-0 in the Big East standings. The Rockets put together a couple of playoff wins before going out to eventual Division 6 state champion Lomira in a sectional championship. "We return many statistical leaders from last year's team," said head coach Dan Schreurs. "Our top quarterback, running back, and receiver all return. Defense has some nice pieces to work with, some good underclassmen as options." Quarterback Carter Schmitz had an excellent year, throwing 24 touchdowns, while Ira Hilbelink is back after rushing for more than 1400 yards. Receiver Griffin Knight also hauled in 12 touchdowns last year.
2. Manitowoc Lutheran dropped four of its first five games (though one was a replacement game), but the team rebounded to win five straight, including back-to-back 14-7 victories over Reedsville in the final regular season game and first playoff contests. They'd bow out against Lomira, the eventual D6 champ, in Level 2. "We're looking to build on a positive breakout season last year, making the playoffs for the first time since 2017," said head coach Ryan Hulse. "We're returning a large number of players that played significant minutes last season." All five expected offensive linemen started or played significant minutes, and the skill positions have some explosive athletes returning, including quarterback Jayman Ott. There are seven starters returning on offense and eight on defense, with 32 letterwinners coming back.
3. Oostburg did some nice things last year, going 5-5 on the field, qualifying for the playoffs, though they'd go out to Amherst in Level 1. "Due to an extreme number of injuries last season, we enter this season with a large number of players with significant experience," said head coach Mike Lauritsen. The team returns eight players who started on offense last year, with nine starters back on defense among 22 returning letterwinners. Running back Charlie DePagter and top receiver A.J. Dolfin are among the top returnees on offense.
4. Reedsville finished 4-3 in the Big East Conference last year, tying for third in the standings. The Panthers extended their playoff streak but went out to Manitowoc Lutheran in Level 1 by the same 14-7 score they fell to the Lancers in the regular season finale. "We have a large senior class that has a lot of varsity experience from the past few years," said head coach Samuel Shafer. "We will be lacking in size, but can make up with some speed and technique from our front five. Will be able to spread the ball out more now that we graduated our previous quarterback, who was a very special athlete." The Panthers have seven starters returning on both sides of the ball.
5. Howards Grove was among a trio of teams that finished 4-3 in the Big East last year and tied for third in the standings. Harry Schroeder got some valuable time at quarterback last year when Trent Grunewald was out, and he enters his junior campaign with experience. Leading rusher James Holler is back, along with second-leading receiver Keaton Milbrath.
6. Hilbert went 3-4 in the Big East and managed to sneak into the playoffs, where they'd score a road win over Iola-Scandinavia before going out against Lourdes Academy in Level 2. The Wolves bring back 1000-yard rusher, quarterback Nate Huettl, and second-leading rusher Brody Hein as they try to push for a postseason berth once again.
7. Random Lake/Ozaukee was formed as a co-op late in the process when low numbers in each program led to exploring a joint program. Despite joining up, the team did not win a game last year, and because the co-op was formed outside the normal window, the team is not eligible for the playoffs in 2025.
• Random Lake and Ozaukee have formed a co-op, but since it was outside of the normal co-op timeline, Big East teams will get a forfeit for the week they would have played Ozaukee. Random Lake/Ozaukee is not eligible for the playoffs.
