Conference realignment, teams moving up divisions top storylines for 2024 high school football season in the Milwaukee area

The 2024 Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association high school football season begins Aug. 22, as Milwaukee-area programs start their quest for a gold ball at Camp Randall Stadium this November.

Here are the key teams, top players, biggest nonconference games and competitive landscape shifts to be aware of entering this season.

WIAA-imposed changes will impact competitive landscape for area football programs

Conference realignments and two area teams being bumped up a division due to the WIAA tournament performance factor will impact the regular season and potential postseason schedules for several area programs in the 2024 season and beyond.

Catholic Memorial (moving from Division 4 to D3) and Kettle Moraine (D2 to D1) were among 63 programs from across all fall sports to move divisions after meeting the tournament performance factor threshold. Despite being moved up, both programs have fared well in recent seasons against the level of competition they will now face in the postseason. CMH is 15-0 against D3 programs dating back to 2021, a record that includes a forfeit by Milwaukee Lutheran in 2021 and wins over eight eventual D3 playoff teams.

Kettle Moraine has found success against the types of D1 programs it will now compete against in the postseason as well, as the Lasers have gone 7-6 against such teams over the past three years. That record includes a 5-6 record against eventual postseason-qualifying teams.

Several football-only conference realignments passed last spring by the WIAA’s Conference Realignment Task Force also take effect this fall. Waukesha North and Waukesha South leave the Classic 8 Conference for the Parkland, with Pewaukee taking their place in the Classic 8. West Allis Central will also leave the Greater Metro for the Parkland, leaving the Greater Metro at seven teams: Brookfield Central, Brookfield East, Germantown, Sussex Hamilton, Marquette, Menomonee Falls and West Allis Hale.

The Midwest Classic will divide into Large and Small divisions with a two-game mandatory crossover to get to seven conference games. The Large division adds previously independent schools Milwaukee Academy of Science and Kingdom Prep Lutheran, as well as former Parkland member Pius XI Catholic and former Woodland Conference member Cudahy to a division rounded out by existing Midwest Classic members Racine Lutheran and St. Francis. The Small division consists of the remaining retained Midwest Classic members: Brookfield Academy, Catholic Central, Dominican, Kenosha Christian Life, Kenosha St. Joseph and Living Word Lutheran.

Milwaukee Lutheran also leaves the Parkland this fall for the Woodland, the latter of which retains an eight-team conference rounded out by Grafton, Greendale, Greenfield, Shorewood/Messmer, South Milwaukee, Whitnall and Wisconsin Lutheran. Through its various additions and subtractions, the new-look Parkland will feature Catholic Memorial, New Berlin Eisenhower, New Berlin West, Waukesha North, Waukesha South, Wauwatosa East and Wauwatosa West.

Conference title races wide open in 2024

CLASSIC 8: Kettle Moraine, 2023 champion

The 2023 Classic 8 title came down to a rainy slugfest between Kettle Moraine and Muskego in the final week of the campaign. The Lasers captured the outright crown, marking the first time since 2017 where Muskego didn’t capture at least a share of the title. The Warriors will be right back in contention for another title this season, along with the Lasers and 2022 co-champion Mukwonago. A new contender could arise in the form of 2021 Division 3 state champion Pewaukee, which arrives from the Parkland Conference this season.

EAST CENTRAL: Port Washington, 2023 champion

The Pirates dominated a season ago on their way to a perfect 7-0 mark in the East Central Conference to win the school’s first ECC title since joining the conference in football four years ago. They allowed just 58 points in seven conference games with a plus-218 point differential. Plymouth will likely provide a stern challenge for the Pirates to repeat, along with a couple other area programs in 2022 champion Kewaskum and Kettle Moraine Lutheran.

GREATER METRO: Sussex Hamilton, 2023 champion

Marquette may have won the Division 1 state title, but the GMC title belonged to the Chargers for the third straight season. Hamilton was the only team in 14 games last season on the Hilltoppers’ schedule to score more than 21 points against the champions and they put up 50 in a 29-point rout. Their matchup could decide the conference title on Oct. 11 in the final conference game of the season, but the likes of Menomonee Falls, Brookfield Central and Germantown could play spoiler in the race for the title.

METRO CLASSIC: Three-way title split in ‘23

Lake Country Lutheran, Racine St. Catherine’s and Watertown Luther Prep all shared the conference crown a season ago with matching 6-1 records. The Chargers beat the Angels on a walk-off field goal in a wild encounter, but fell 27-20 to the Phoenix a week later. A total of 12 names from last year’s all-conference rosters are slated to return this season from the three programs, including LCL quarterback Jackson Menzel and RSC wideout Lamont Hamilton. This could be another fun title chase, especially if 2022 champion Martin Luther can bounce back this season.

MIDWEST CLASSIC: Kenosha St. Joseph, 2023 champion

The Midwest Classic Conference has split into two different divisions with a pair of new members in Pius XI Catholic from the Parkland and Milwaukee Academy of Science. Despite a big loss of high-level talents in Eric Kenesie and Jayden Gordon from a 12-1 conference title-winning campaign last year, the Lancers will likely be the favorites to win the Small division. A team that could provide a challenge in the Large division is a young Racine Lutheran squad, which finished with seven wins and a playoff berth last season.

MILWAUKEE CITY CONFERENCE: Milwaukee King, 2023 crossover champion

For the third time in the last four seasons, Rufus King stood atop the Richardson division in the Milwaukee City Conference standings. King also captured its second MPS Crossover victory in the last three seasons in a rainy affair with Milwaukee Washington to close out the regular season. The Generals have been the cream of the crop in the conference, but the likes of Marshall and now Reagan could make life tough for the defending champions. In the Blackbourn division, Washington marked the third straight year last season with a different champion after Vincent (2022) and Reagan (2021).

NORTH SHORE: Homestead, 2023 champion

Homestead ended a five-year conference title drought this past season on its way to the second round of the postseason and a 9-2 campaign. There was a bunch of congestion behind the Highlanders with the likes of Cedarburg, Nicolet, Slinger and Hartford with Cedarburg knocking Homestead out of the postseason in a 17-16 nailbiter. Between the four schools, 20 of their 2023 all-conference athletes are slated to return this season, including Homestead quarterback Tommy O’Hagan, Slinger quarterback Michael Thiede, Cedarburg wideout Logan Zahour and Northern Illinois recruit Adrian Thomas for Nicolet. The makings for an exciting title race are there.

PARKLAND: Catholic Memorial, 2023 champion

Since its departure from the Classic 8 Conference, the Parkland Conference has been dominated by Catholic Memorial on the gridiron. That could likely be the case in 2024. The Crusaders lose some Division I talent in the form of Corey Smith at running back and Penn State teammate Donovan Harbour on the offensive front, but return the electric MJ Mitchell at quarterback, speedster Marvanous Butler-Brown and the monstrous Notre Dame recruit Owen Strebig to the offensive trenches. The conference will also welcome Waukesha North and South to the conference this season with Pewaukee’s departure to the Classic 8.

SOUTHEAST: Franklin, 2023 champion

In what will likely be the final season they both play in the same football conference, Franklin and Oak Creek will renew their rivalry in the chase for the Southeast Conference crown. The Sabers captured the outright title as the Division 1 state runner-up last season following a title split between the two rivals two seasons ago. Both programs will have to replace depth and leadership, especially on the defensive side of the ball for Franklin coach Louis Brown’s vaunted defensive attack.

SOUTHERN LAKES: Badger, 2023 champion

The defending Division 2 state champions and their disciplined triple-option attack will have to replace their conductor in quarterback JP Doyle and workhorse fullback Landon Nottestad, along with four of their top five leading tacklers from last year’s run. With Waterford coach Tony Shiffman’s departure to Kettle Moraine’s staff, the runner-up Wolverines have a giant vacancy to fill atop their program. The title chase could bring excitement every week if Westosha Central, Burlington and Elkhorn can gain some ground this season.

WOODLAND: shared between Grafton and Wisconsin Lutheran

The Woodland Conference title race featured four teams with at least five conference victories last season. In the end, Grafton and Wisconsin Lutheran shared the title at 6-1 with the Black Hawks advancing to the Division 3 title game for the first time in over three decades. The Black Hawks are back with some strong returners, such as quarterback Brady Hilgart and the bulldozing Tommy Lutz in the backfield. Greenfield and Greendale, who both finished 5-2 in conference play with a 1-3 mark against the top two, can certainly play spoiler in their own chases for the title.

Nonconference schedule features great matchups

Catholic Memorial at Franklin, Week 1, Aug. 23

If the third time is actually the charm, these two programs will give fans another treat to open the season. Two years ago, the Crusaders survived 34-28 in coach’s Bill Young’s 500th career game on the sidelines with both teams coming off state championship runs. Last season, Franklin evened the score in a 31-24 thriller on its way to its second Division 1 state title game appearance in three seasons. Both teams will look different this year, but the expectations will remain the same for the two powerhouses.

Marquette at Arrowhead, Week 1, Aug. 23

The final season for Marquette coach Keith Klestinski begins how last year’s run to the program’s first state title in 14 years started. The Hilltoppers will head west for another opening-week showdown with six-time state champion Arrowhead. Last year’s meeting came down to the final seconds deep in Arrowhead territory before a Hilltopper snap went array and sent the Warhawks into the win column with a 21-14 victory. Retribution will likely be on the mind of the defending Division 1 state champions heading into that one.

Badger at Slinger, Week 2, Aug. 30

Badger’s improbable run to the Division 2 state title last season was capped in one of the best games in state history against Waunakee just mere weeks after a health emergency from coach Matt Hensler on the sideline. The Badgers ran for a state-record 454 yards in a 34-33 classic against the Warriors and will look to become the first back-to-back D2 champion since Waunakee in 2010-11. Awaiting the Badgers in Week 1 is Slinger, which won eight games a year ago. The Owls could provide a nice test for the Badgers with the return of all-conference lefty quarterback Michael Thiede.

Port Washington at Grafton, Week 2, Aug. 30

It’s only right that these two rivals battle it out to open another season. Last season, Port Washington rolled over the Black Hawks for the third straight time, 35-7. They met once more in the Division 3 playoffs in one of the most controversial finishes you’ll ever see. After madness ensued with the game clock following a long completion from the Pirates trailing 22-21, a game-winning field goal sailed wide and the Black Hawks found themselves in the D3 title game three weeks later. Grafton’s got key leaders back this season and is ready for another run at a gold ball.

Racine St. Catherine’s at Kenosha St. Joseph, Week 2, Aug. 30

After last year’s 34-12 victory over Racine St. Catherine’s, Lancers coach Matt Rizzo took a moment to credit his players for wanting to accept the challenge of playing up in divisional competition. They wanted a chance at a school like Racine St. Catherine’s and they delivered on their way to another Midwest Classic Conference crown. Now, the Racine/Kenosha battle moves into a second year with a much-improved Angels side looking to clean up the mistakes of last year’s defeat after a strong finish to last year’s campaign with six wins in their last eight contests.

Of the area’s four state-qualifying teams in 2023, who is best positioned to return?

The Milwaukee area sent four teams across the top three divisions to Camp Randall in Madison for WIAA state title games last fall. Marquette defeated Franklin, 26-10, in the D1 final; Badger finished an undefeated season to earn its first-ever title in D2 with a 34-33 win over Waunakee; and Grafton came up just short to Rice Lake in a 28-20 final in the D3 title game.

Marquette suffered significant losses to its 2023 championship core due to graduation, specifically to its passing game and a defense that pitched eight shutouts in 14 games last year. There should be some continuity up front with all-Greater Metro Conference recognized linemen Gabe Miller and Charlie Ingrisano poised to return, each of whom will be paving the way for reigning all-Greater Metro first-team running back Tommy Novotny. The Hilltoppers also return linebacker Mitchell Nigro and defensive linemen Cole Fischer, as well as one of the best legs in the nation in Wisconsin commit Erik Schmidt. How the defense replaces eight all-conference recognized graduates will be a critical component to Marquette’s success in 2024.

D1 runner-up Franklin returns its signal caller, Joseph Kallay, who finished sixth in the state in passing yards (2,457 yards). The passing game could be an even greater focal point of the offense in 2024, as the Sabers go into the season without class of 2024 running back and Wisconsin Football Coaches Association player of the year Terrance Shelton (Buffalo). On defense, replacing graduated leaders like defensive lineman Jace Miller (Western Illinois) and outside linebacker Immanuel Joseph will be pivotal holes to fill for a defense that held opponents to one score or less in nine of 14 games last season.

Badger accomplished the program’s first undefeated season in a 2023 title run, doing so with the class of 2024 shouldering a significant burden. Quarterback J.P. Doyle, running backs Landon Nottestad and Anthony Richardson as well as offensive linemen Jackson Braden, Brandon Watrous and Alex Lindbloom are key graduates on the offensive end. Defensive linemen Ethan Francois and Jacob Billingsley, linebackers Torrence Smith and Logan Clausen and defensive back Ryan Bays are also key defensive graduate losses. The upshot for the Badgers is for how robust their 23-player class of 2024 was, the class of 2025 is just as deep if all 33 players from the title team return. Veteran leadership should remain intact for the Badgers despite less familiar faces taking on new roles.

While the rest of the area’s 2023 state qualifiers face questions at key positions, Grafton has one of the strongest returning rosters of the four, particularly on offense. Reigning Woodland Conference player of the year Brady Hilgart returns after a season with 28 touchdown passes, along with his top two targets in Gavin Lempke and Carson Hildebrand. Fellow senior Tommy Lutz leads the running game into 2024 after a 1,400-yard, 22-touchdown season last year. Reigning Woodland Conference lineman of the year James Nellis leads a group also returning Thomas Peterson and Miles Muilenberg paving the way for the playmakers. The Black Hawks boast a high-powered attack that could lead them right back to a state title game berth if it stays on track in 2024.

Top returning players in the Milwaukee area

Cooper Catalano, Germantown, sr.: 2023 AP all-state ILB, All-GMC first team LB, DB of the year in '23 as a junior (Wisconsin commit).

Erik Schmidt, Marquette, sr.: 2023 AP all-state high honorable mention K, All-GMC first team K and P (Wisconsin commit).

Nick McCullough, Muskego, sr.: 2023 AP all-state honorable mention DL, All-C8 first team DL as a junior (Harvard commit).

Josh Arnold, Port Washington, sr.: All-ECC first team receiver and defensive back, receiver of the year in '23 as a junior.

Adam Zylka, KML, sr.: All-ECC first team defensive back, DB of the year in '23 as a junior.

Ethan Feldner, USM, sr.: 2023 AP all-state high honorable mention, All-MCC first team as a junionr, OPOY at WR.

Bryce Austin, Racine Lutheran, so.: All-Midwest Classic first team, WR of the year as a freshman.

Brian Ortega, KSJ, sr.: All-Midwest Classic first team, OL of the year as a junior.

Dominic Santarelli, KSJ, jr.: All-Midwest Classic first team, OLB of the year as a sophomore (Louisville baseball commit).

Kalyn Perry, Milwaukee Washington co-op, sr.: All-Blackbourn first team, offensive lineman of the year as a junior.

Ta'Shawn Carter, Milwaukee Washington co-op, sr.: All-Blackbourn first team, defensive lineman of the year as a junior.

Lamarcus Vinson Jr., King, sr.: 2023 AP all-state honorable mention, all-Richardson first team, defensive lineman of the year in '23 as a junior.

Brennan Litchford, Reagan, sr.: All-Richardson first team, offensive player of the year as a junior.

Logan Zahour, Cedarburg, sr.: All-NSC first team, offensive end of the year as a junior.

Jackson Servais, Pewaukee, sr.: All-Parkland first team, DPOY as a junior.

Ben Verges, Franklin, sr.: All-Southeast first team, TE/H-B/FB of the year as a junior.

Benjamin Hefter, Franklin, sr.: All-Southeast first team, defensive end of the year as a junior.

Beni Hysaliu, Oak Creek, sr.: All-Southeast punter of the year.

Brady Hilgart, Grafton, sr.: All-Woodland first team, OPOY as a junior.

James Nellis, Grafton, sr.: All-Woodland first team, OL of the year as a junior (NDSU commit).

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Conference realignment, teams moving up divisions top storylines for 2024 high school football season in the Milwaukee area