Top 10 Wisconsin high school football programs of all time
STEVENS POINT, Wis. (BVM) — The WIAA high school football season is set to start later this month, and in honor of that, here are some teams to pay attention to once the season starts.
This week, approximately 24,000 student-athletes were back in action on football fields in communities across Wisconsin. It sure feels good to be back! 🎉🏈 #wiaafb #WIAAFridayNightLights #FridayFact pic.twitter.com/8sfenqs1vD
— WIAA (@wiaawi) August 6, 2021
This list of the 10 best high school football programs of all time in Wisconsin was created based on a program’s long term success taking into account number of state championship game appearances, playoff appearances, overall playoff record, state runner-up finishes and state championships. Since this list was based on the team’s success in winning football games and championships, the amount of college or professional athletes produced from the program was not taken into account. Also, this list is composed of programs that compete in different divisions within the WIAA system and many of the programs have moved up and down in different divisions.
All information used was taken from the WIAA website.
1. Arrowhead High School
Arrowhead has been a football powerhouse for many years and is well known throughout the state. The Warhawks have made 13 state championship appearances and have won back-to-back championships twice.There most recent trip to the championship ended in a runner-up finish in 2015. Last season, the Warhawks went 4-2 in conference play and lost Muskego in the first round of the playoffs.
State championship appearances: 13
State championships: 6
State runners up: 7
Playoff appearances: 31
Overall playoff record: 68-24
2. St. Mary’s Springs
St. Mary’s has dominated for a long time now. Since 2000, the Ledgers have made it to the state championship 12 times and have an impressive 75-9 record in the playoffs. They have won the last three Division 6 state championships and from 2009 to 2012 they didn’t miss a state championship game, winning three. Last spring, St. Mary’s went 4-3 in the alternate fall season.
State championship appearances: 12
State championships: 9
State runners up: 3
Playoff appearances: 18
Overall playoff record: 75-9
3. Kimberly High School
Kimberly usually finds itself somewhere at the top of the rankings each season. The Papermaker Wasps’ success began in 2007 with their first state championship, they followed that up with another championship in 2008 and a runners up finish in 2009. Since then they have won five more championships, including three straight from 2014 to 2017, and last spring they went 6-1 in the alternate fall season.
State championship appearances: 9
State championship: 7
State runners up: 2
Playoff appearances: 18
Overall playoff record: 57-11
4. Lancaster High School
Since 1993, Lancaster has been a force within Wisconsin high school football, winning seven state championships. The Flying Arrows most impressive stint came in the early 2000s when they won three straight state championships and made it to four. Last season, Lancaster went 4-3 and made it to the sectional finals where they lost to Aquinas.
State championship appearances: 11
State championships: 7
State runners up: 4
Playoff appearances: 30
Overall playoff record: 72-23
5. Waunakee High School
The Warriors have had continued success in football since the early 2000s and were the state runners up in 2019. Last year, they went undefeated in the alternate fall season and will look to carry that momentum into this fall. From 2009 to 2012, they made four straight state championships and won three in a row. They regularly ranked as one of the best teams in the state each season.
State championship appearances: 10
State championships: 6
State runners Up: 4
Playoff appearances: 25
Overall playoff record: 75-19
6. Stratford High School
After being state runners up in the last two state championships, Stratford is ready to finish the season on a win. From 2003 to 2008, the Tigers won six straight state championships, an impressive level of dominance that few programs have achieved. Last season, Stratford went 3-2 and won its sectional.
State championship appearances: 9
State championship: 7
State runners up: 2
Playoff appearances: 36
Overall playoff record: 74-27
7. Darlington High School
Darlington has found success in multiple divisions, winning state titles in division 5 and 6 and being runners up in division 4 in 1997.The Redbirds most recent success was making it to the state title game four years in a row from 2013 to 2016 and although they were runners up in all of those. Last season Darlington went 4-1 and lost to Aquinas in the first round of the playoffs.
State championship appearances: 12
State championships: 4
State runners Up: 8
Playoff appearances: 32
Overall playoff record:72-28
8. Homestead High School
Homestead is a well-known football powerhouse that has gone toe-to-toe with many of the teams on this list. In the Highlanders’ 27 playoff appearances, they rarely lose. Their last state championship was in 2018 and this past season they made it to the sectional finals before losing to Sussex Hamilton.
State championship appearances: 7
State championship: 6
Playoff appearances: 27
Overall playoff record: 66-21
9. Monroe High School
Although they haven’t been to the state championship game since 1996, the Cheesemakers are still a force to be reckoned with. They have made the playoffs each year since 2014. Also their dominance in the 1990s is worth a spot on this list. From 1990 to 1996 they made it to six state championship games and won four straight. This past season, they went 5-0 during the alternate fall season.
State championship appearances: 8
State championships: 5
State runners Up: 3
Playoff appearances: 20
Overall playoff record: 46-15
10. Catholic Memorial High School
CMH has always had a strong football program but since its first state championship appearance in 2001 has become a regular power in the state of Wisconsin. After the Crusaders’ first state championship in 2012, they have won three more including two straight in 2018 and 2019. Last season, they went 5-2 and lost in the sectional final to Whitefish Bay.
State championship appearances: 7
State championships: 4
State runners up: 3
Playoff appearances: 18
Overall playoff record: 46-14
Honorable mentions
In no specific order here are the 10 other teams considered for the top 10 but just missed the cut: Kenosha Tremper, Osseo-Fairchild, Ashwaubenon, D.C. Everest, De Soto, Regis, Rice Lake, Somerset, Wisconsin Lutheran and Stanley-Boyd.
