Wisconsin high school football rankings: Catholic Memorial headlines preseason MaxPreps Top 25

Season starts with top-ranked showdown between Catholic Memorial and Franklin Aug. 19.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Thomas Frey
By
Aug 15, 2022, 11:30am
High school football kicks off in Wisconsin with 179 games across the state Aug. 18-20. After finishing 14-1 and winning the Division IV state championship game last season, Catholic Memorial (Waukesha) comes in at the top of our preseason MaxPreps Top 25.

The Crusaders won their third state title in four years with a 21-12 win over preseason No. 8 Ellsworth and are anchored by a pair of 247Sports Class of 2024 four-star prospects in offensive lineman Donovan Harbour (6-5, 310) and running back Corey Smith. The juniors each have dozens of scholarship offers.

Catholic Memorial's first game will be a showdown at Franklin in a matchup of the top two preseason teams in the state of Wisconsin.

Franklin comes in at No. 2 after taking down preseason No. 10 Sun Prairie 38-17 in the Division I state championship at Camp Randall Stadium.

The Sabers have a 78-9 record since 2015 and graduated many starters from last year's title unit. One of the returners is class of 2024 running back Terrance Shelton, who scored 16 touchdowns as a sophomore.

Muskego comes in at No. 3 and Mukwonago starts at No. 4. The two squared off in the Division 1 state playoffs last season with Mukwonago recording the win. The conference foes will face off again Sept. 16.

Read on for a complete look at the Wisconsin MaxPreps Top 25 heading into the 2022 season.
Ellsworth celebrates its 46-7 Division IV semifinal win last season. The Panthers come in to the season ranked No. 8.
Ellsworth celebrates its 46-7 Division IV semifinal win last season. The Panthers come in to the season ranked No. 8.
Photo: Josh Johnson
Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

1.Catholic Memorial (Waukesha), 14-0 record in 2021, Division IV state champions
2. Franklin, 14-0, Division I state champions
3. Muskego, 10-2
4. Mukwonago, 11-2
5. Appleton North (Appleton), 10-3
6. Kimberly, 11-1
7. Waunakee, 14-0, Division II state champions
8. Ellsworth, 12-1
9. Arrowhead (Hartland), 7-4
10. Sun Prairie, 13-1
11. Homestead (Mequon), 11-3
12. Columbus, 11-1
13. Menomonie, 10-2
14. Hamilton (Sussex), 9-2
15. Edgewood (Madison), 10-1
16. Wauwatosa West (Wauwatosa), 9-3
17. Oak Creek, 9-2
18. Pewaukee, 12-2, Division III state champions
19. Hartford, 9-4
20. Luxemburg-Casco (Luxemburg), 11-1
21. Kettle Moraine (Wales), 9-4
22. Neenah, 6-5
23. Rice Lake, 11-3
24. Bay Port (Green Bay), 10-2
25. DeForest, 9-2

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