2025 BIG EIGHT CONFERENCE PREVIEWPredicted Order of Finish1. Verona
2. Middleton
3. Janesville Craig (Janesville)
4. Madison Memorial (Madison)
5. Madison West (Madison)
6. Janesville Parker (Janesville)
7. Madison La Follette (Madison)
8. Madison East (Madison)Players to WatchJadyn Fraiser, RB, Janesville Parker: Fraiser ran for a team-high 573 yards last season to earn second team All-Conference recognition in the Big Eight.
Elijah Jackson, RB, Middleton: Jackson led the team in rushing last year and was one of the top pass-catchers out of the backfield in the state, hauling in 36 passes as a second Tteam All-Conference choice.
Ethan McIntosh, OL, Verona: McIntosh is still growing into his 6-foot, 7-inch frame, but has garnered offers from a host of Division 1 programs heading into his junior year, including the University of Wisconsin.
Gavin Meier, OL, Janesville Parker: Meier is the state's top-ranked senior in our WSN Football Player Rankings, giving a commitment to Minnesota over several other offers, including Wisconsin.
Joey Passaglia, QB, Middleton: Passaglia was one of the most productive quarterbacks in the state last year, throwing for 2,495 yards and 32 touchdowns with a 102.2 quarterback rating, earning first team All-Conference recognition.
Austin Perez, RB, Verona: Perez was a first team All-Conference selection last year, leading the team in rushing.
Malachi Schoonover, WR, Janesville Craig: As just a freshman last season, Schoonover caught 29 passes for 579 yards and five touchdowns to earn second team All-Conference.
2025 Team Previews1. Verona has dominated the Big Eight Conference like few we've seen, as the Wildcats are currently riding a 21-game winning streak in the league dating back to the 2021 season, winning three consecutive outright conference titles. Last season, the team earned a top seed in the playoffs after an unbeaten regular season, dispatching Kenosha Bradford in the opening game before falling to Arrowhead in Level 2, continuing some postseason struggles outside the league. Most notable among the players that will have to be replaced this year is Tre Poteat, a Tennessee recruit who was an All-State defensive back last season and also one of the most dynamic offensive weapons in the state. "Yes, we have to replace Tre, but it will be by committee, not just one guy," said head coach Andrew Riley. "Our offense returns most of its starters and will be a high-powered group of dudes." Austin Perez returns after leading the team in rushing a year ago, while Asher Grady and Jackson Connor were very involved at the skill positions as well. UP front, Peyton DiMaggio, Jack Rathfelder, and emerging Division 1 prospect Ethan McIntosh will pave the way. Several of last season's top tacklers are back for a defense that allowed just first-half touchdowns in league play a year ago. The Wildcats return seven starters on offense, with four returning on defense.
2. Middleton struggled in some close games, including tough conference losses to Madison Memorial and Verona, finishing third in the Big Eight standings last year and 6-3 overall during the regular season. The Cardinals did get a home playoff game, defeating Chippewa Falls before exiting to Waunakee in Level 2. Tim Simon and Joe Poehls will continue as co-head coaches for Middleton, who returns 27 letterwinners from a year ago, including five starters on offense and four on defense. The team has a nice group of skill position players coming back, but does need to replace fouorof five offensive linemen. Joe Passaglia is back to lead the offense, throwing for 2,495 yards and 32 touchdowns last season. Chase Rogers and Jackson Guerrero each caught more than 40 passes and are back this year, while Elijah Jackson is one of the more versatile backs in the league, leading the team in rushing while also hauling in 36 passes a year ago. While the defense has to replace seven starters, including a pair of All-State defensive linemen, the group that is returning is solid, including linebacker Tyler Vogt, end Reed Flak, and defensive backs Oliver Wenning and Patrick Passini.
3. Janesville Craig was able to make it back into the postseason for the first time since 2021, going 4-3 in the Big Eight and 5-5 overall after a Level 1 playoff exit to Mukwonago. "We are excited to use that as a stepping stone for the 2025 season and beyond," said head coach Joe Brennan. "We will be as athletic as they come at the skill positions, and now boast a full year of varsity experience." The Cougars bring back three of five starters on the offensive line, including First Team All-Big Eight selection Nolan Duffy. Malachi Schoonover burst onto the scene as just a freshman last year, earning Second Team All-Conference after catching 29 passes for 579 yards and five scores. Keyon'Dre Thornton, Nathan Daskam, and Sam Piper are other offensive weapons returning. "Our weakness lies in our inexperience at quarterback, but we have loads of confidence in junior Ethan Forrett," added Brennan. The Cougars welcome back six starters on offense in total, with eight returning on the defensive side of the ball.
4. Madison Memorial had impressive early wins over Waunakee and Middleton, and lost a close one to Verona, finishing second in the Big Eight Conference last season. The Spartans knocked off Stevens Point to open the playoffs before going out against D.C. Everest in a Level 2 home game. "We had many impactful seniors on our 2024 team, and they set a tremendous standard for our program," said second-year head coach Austin Battaglia, a 2011 Memorial graduate. "We had a tremendous offseason, and I'm excited to see that same type of effort on the field for this 2025 team. I'm impressed with the positivity and culture of this team, and I think that will help us learn quickly at the varsity level. Our weakness is the lack of varsity experience with this group. There will be competitions at every single position, and whoever earns the starting quarterback position will have to learn quickly, as our schedule is very competitive to start the season." The only returning starter on offense is lineman Hamza Jaber, while two returning regulars on defense are linebacker Blake Adams, who led the conference in tackles, and defensive back Dane Patterson.
5. Madison West dropped the final three games of the year and four of the final five, leaving the team on the playoff bubble. The Regents should have been one of the final qualifiers, but an error by the WIAA caused West to be left out, something the WIAA would later apologize for, but after the playoffs had been completed. It was unfortunate, as it should have been the Regents' first postseason appearance since 2019. "We have tons of returning experience on offense and some high-level performers and rotational players ready for more on defense," said head coach Mike Wolfgram. Michael Suominen split time at quarterback but solidified himself as the starter by the end of the year, and is back for his senior season. Likewise, Kamaria Carter saw his role at running back increase last year and will carry that into 2025. They're part of eight returning starters on the offensive side of the ball for the Regents, who also bring back four starters on defense.
6. Janesville Parker had some competitive games against solid competition in 2024, but couldn't quite get over the hump often enough, finishing 2-7 overall and 2-5 in league play. The senior group has some solid, multi-year varsity performers that will look to get things back on track, including the state's top-ranked player, offensive lineman Gavin Meier, an All-Conference pick last year who has committed to Minnesota. Quarterback Palmer Butters and leading rusher Jadyn Fraiser, a Second Team All-Conference pick last year, are also returning for the Vikings.
7. Madison La Follette beat Madison East 40-9, but struggled to be competitive the rest of the way, going 1-8 overall with just one loss by less than two scores. "We're returning a lot of skill players on offense that can hopefully provide some early momentum, but losing all of our starting defensive linemen, which will be a challenge to replace," said head coach Austin Willis. The Lancers run a wishbone attack, rare in general and certainly in the Big Eight, and return two experienced ball-carriers from last season in Yarnell Fuller and Shaun Peeler. La Follette brings back seven starters on the offensive side of the ball as well as three on defense.
8. Madison East struggled mightily in 2024, going 0-9, as unfortunately, every game ended in a running clock. The team has to replace quarterback Jay'Vion Hassell, who led the way in both passing and rushing a year ago, as well as second-leading rusher LeRontae Fullilove and top receiver Deyontae Whitelaw. The Purgolders have not made the playoffs since 2015 and have just five appearances in school history.
